Train Conductor: Paid Training, Union Paths, 24/7 Ops

Norfolk Southern Corp.; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 240 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Location: Lafayette, IN, US, 47905 Frankfort, IN, US, 46041 Frankfort, IN, US, 46041 Lafayette, IN, US, 47905 Lafayette, IN, US, 47905 Lafayette, IN, US, 47905

Company: Norfolk Southern Corp.

At Norfolk Southern, we believe that our people power progress. Our culture is built on our SPIRIT values—Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork—which guide how we work, lead, and grow together. If you're ready to be part of a dynamic team and contribute to one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, we invite you to explore the conductor role.

Conductors are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of freight trains. This includes building trains by coupling railcars, delivering railcars to customers, transporting trains across long distances, and managing electronic documentation and inspections. You’ll be trained to troubleshoot train issues, report incidents, and ensure compliance with safety procedures. No prior railroad experience is required—we provide all the training you need to succeed.

What You Should Know

This is a seniority-based job. You'll start out on the extra board, filling in where needed, until you build enough seniority to bid on a regular assignment.

You must be available to work on-call, 24/7, with as little as 90 minutes’ notice.

Expect to spend 2-3 days away from home weekly.

You will be required to join a union within 60 days after completing training.

Training

On the job training lasts about 20 weeks, depending on the complexity of your assigned location; this training can go beyond 20 weeks. Training includes classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first 5 weeks take place at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, GA. During this time, the company provides hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from your hire location. The remaining weeks of training will be completed at your assigned location.

To successfully complete the program and earn your promotion and certification, you must pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job requirements. This includes written exams and field evaluations covering physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazmat, and signal rules.

Job Responsibilities

• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment for safe operation.
• Operate remote control locomotives and perform tasks such as coupling, aligning drawbars, applying hand brakes, and riding railcars.
• Communicate effectively with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers.
• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with all FRA and company safety regulations.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
• Ability to report to work within 90 minutes.

Qualifications – Preferred

• Experience working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Experience with heavy equipment or in physically demanding roles.
• Experience working non-traditional shifts, on call, and/or 12+ hour shifts.

Physical and Mental Job Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 85 lbs.
• Must pass physical standards which may include but are not limited to:
• Ability to hang from a rail car ladder with 3 points of contact (2 feet & 1 hand) for 1 minute 15 seconds per side.
• Ability to walk up to several miles per shift on uneven terrain.
• Ability to meet FRA medical requirements, including visual acuity (at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both together with or without corrective lenses), color vision, and hearing standards.

Work Conditions

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Irregular schedules, including on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be available for call 24/7.
• This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness while working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.

Compensation and Benefits

Conductor Trainees earn a minimum of $240 per shift during on-the-job training, with overtime at $30/hour.

First-year conductors average $70,000 annually; experienced conductors average $84,000.

Locomotive engineers earn a guaranteed minimum of $94,000, with potential to exceed $100,000.

Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins the second calendar month of employment.

After one year: dental, life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility.

Covered under Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.

Years of Service / Weeks of Vacation *

• Two (2) or more years – 2 Weeks
• Six (6) or more years – 3 Weeks
• Fifteen (15) or more years – 4 Weeks
• Twenty-three (23) – 5 Weeks

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.