Freight Conductor
$2.4k - $2.9k/bi-wk
Junior
Richmond, VA, USA
In PersonMust live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location. May be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer.
Vehicle Operation & Delivery
About the job
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have one year of related experience.
- Have a high school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
- Be able to read and comprehend operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
- Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
- Pass a hair follicle and urine drug test, medical exam, background check, and all required assessments.
- Be able to safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
- Be willing to work a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and varying shifts, including on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Be willing to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer and cover outlying locations based on seniority.
- Be willing to live within or relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
- Be willing to wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
- Be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and complete annual training and safety rules examinations.
- Comply with federal random drug and alcohol testing regulations.
- Meet the physical requirements: mount and dismount moving equipment; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, and climb; work in confined or awkward spaces; ride on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods; walk long distances over uneven terrain; demonstrate auditory and visual acuity; meet FRA color vision and hearing requirements; and frequently lift up to 80 pounds.
- Demonstrate verbal comprehension, clear communication, reasoning, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
- Be a member of the collective bargaining agreement as required.
- One or more years of outside work experience, such as construction, heavy equipment operations, or farming, is preferred.
- Experience working in a safety-sensitive environment is preferred.
- A valid driver's license is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Safely coordinate train crews on a freight train, place rail cars to facilitate loading and unloading, and make up and break down trains in a rail yard, customer facility, or similar location.
- Comply with railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, railroad signals, and train orders.
- Safely perform all job responsibilities.
- Inspect equipment on cars before departures.
- Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone.
- Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists.
- Assist with coupling and uncoupling cars, operate switches, and make minor railcar repairs, including replacing heavy couplings or air brake hoses.
- Work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars and meet or exceed customer needs and expectations.
- Remain aware of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to support rail safety.
- Operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device.
- Comprehend color and hand signals and related systems.
- Review instructions from yardmasters, dispatchers, and other transportation employees, and discuss them with the locomotive engineer.
- Advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.
- Complete other activities and responsibilities as assigned by the manager.
Desired Qualifications
- One or more years of outside work experience, such as construction, heavy equipment operations, or farming, including professional, personal, or volunteer experience.
- Experience working in a safety-sensitive environment.
- A valid driver's license.
About the company
CSX operates a large rail-based freight network in the Eastern United States and Canada, moving coal, chemicals, automotive parts, and consumer goods. It also provides intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services to offer end-to-end logistics solutions. Revenue comes from charging for freight transportation based on the volume and type of goods moved. Its goal is to move goods efficiently and reliably by coordinating rail, intermodal, and transload services to keep supply chains flowing.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Jacksonville, Florida
Founded
1827
Get referred to CSX
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- CSX posted $3.94 billion revenue and 38.3% margin in Q2 2026.
- Double-stack Baltimore service started June 18, 2026, unlocking 125,000 annual intermodal loads.
- Q2 2026 volume rose 6%, with intermodal growth outperforming merchandise and coal.
What critics are saying
- BMWED says CSX will furlough 1,062 workers by February 2027, degrading maintenance coverage.
- FRA docket FRA-2026-1684 shows CSX pushing weaker locomotive inspections, inviting safety backlash.
- Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern consolidation threatens CSX's network power and customer pricing by 2027.
What makes CSX unique
- CSX owns the densest Eastern U.S. rail network, leveraging Baltimore-to-Florida corridors.
- Howard Street Tunnel opened June 2026, enabling double-stack intermodal across the East Coast.
- Queensgate Yard added 42 powered switches in September 2026, boosting safety and throughput.
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Benefits
- Flexible Work Hours