Trainmaster - Kalamazoo, MI

Grand Elk Railroad, Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Watco in Kalamazoo, MI is seeking a Trainmaster to supervise and coordinate train crews in yards and switching sites, ensuring safe and efficient loading, unloading, and train movements.

The role requires oversight of operations, adherence to FRA regulations, and effective communication of switching orders to crews, along with training on safety rules and company policies.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older with a High School diploma or GED.
• Must hold and maintain locomotive engineer and conductor certifications.
• Ability to pass required testing and training.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and coordinates train crews.
• Communicates switching orders with safety and efficiency.
• Uses systems and reports to communicate customer changes.
• Ensures daily train lists are executed accurately and timely.
• Investigates incidents and prepares reports.

Education

High School or GED

Job description

Career Opportunities: Trainmaster - Kalamazoo, MI (33876)

Requisition ID33876-Posted09/10/2026-Railroad Operations

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all or the same team. One Watco .

Here’s what you can expect from Watco:

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

Job Summary

Supervises and coordinates activities of train crew engaged in switching railroad cars within rail yard, industrial plant, or similar locations. Facilitate loading and unloading of cars, making, and breaking trains, and switching cars for customers in a safe and efficient manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises and coordinates train crews.
• Communicates switching orders to train crews focusing on safety and efficiency.
• Utilize various systems and reports to organize and communicate customer changes to cars.
• Ensure daily train lists are executed accurately and timely by train crews.
• Investigate and provide accurate reports for any incidents or accidents.
• Understand factors to contributing costs and overall profitability of location.
• Understand locomotive requirements based on horsepower and trailing tons and control efficiency of fuel costs.
• Knowledgeable of FRA regulations for railroad industry.
• Ability to comprehend written safety rules, procedures and safety manuals, government regulations, operating and maintenance instructions and other work-related information.
• Ability to comprehend and communicate instructions in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Able to adapt to constant changing environment and utilize common sense and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to train switch crews and other personnel on job-related duties; and provide training related to federal and company regulations, rules, and safety guidelines.
• Ability to pass training and required testing
• Performs other duties as requested or required.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be able to pass and or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.
• Must hold and continue to hold, a current locomotive engineers and conductor’s certification.

Education

Must be 18 years of age or older with High School or GED equivalent