How many conductors drive a train?

Over the years, the number of employees assigned to each freight train in the U.S. has gradually been reduced from five to the current standard of two, an engineer and a conductor, with exceptions for some short distance operations that already require only one person.



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Because train engineers receive additional training and typically have more experience than conductors, they may earn a higher salary. Consider your budget and cost of living to decide whether a lower salary is enough for your needs if you're considering becoming a conductor.

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Conductors work long days (anywhere from 11 to 13 hours, typically), they have to maneuver heavy machinery in sometimes terrible weather conditions, and they can't really plan time off for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. A former conductor told Reddit: “It is a career that kills marriage.”

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Salary Ranges for Train Conductors The salaries of Train Conductors in the US range from $13,808 to $373,999 , with a median salary of $66,833 .

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Crews on the road typicaly start at there home terminal when they are called and work a particular route to the away terminal where they rest and wait for there call for a train headded back to it's home terminal. At the away terminal the railroad supplys houseing either in a motel or sometimes in a company dorm.

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Conductors work long days (anywhere from 11 to 13 hours, typically), they have to maneuver heavy machinery in sometimes terrible weather conditions, and they can't really plan time off for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries.

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Freight train conductors can't listen to music, books on tape, or do anything else that could potentially help them stay awake. Each freight train has two crew members, a conductor and an engineer.

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Each train is assigned one locomotive engineer, except on certain segments of some long-distance routes where crew changes are too far apart and/or there are relatively long stretches of overnight running.

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In the US, they're called “train engineers”. In the UK and other English-speaking countries, I believe they're called “train operators”.

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Train conductors and yardmasters frequently: Sit for long periods of time. Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Repeat the same movements.

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