Freight Conductor
$1.2k - $1.5k/wk
Junior
Portland, ME, USA
In PersonMust live within or relocate within 50 miles of Portland; relocation assistance is not offered. Four weeks of training are in Atlanta, Georgia.
Vehicle Operation & Delivery
About the job
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age.
- One year of related experience.
- High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
- Ability to read and comprehend operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
- Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
- Must pass a hair-follicle and urine drug test, medical examination, and background check.
- Must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
- Must wear approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
- Must be able to report safely to work within two hours of being notified.
- Must complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations and all required assessments.
- Federal regulations require random drug and/or alcohol testing.
- Must be able to mount and dismount moving equipment; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, and climb; work in cramped or confined spaces; ride outside rail equipment for extended periods; and walk long distances over uneven terrain.
- Must demonstrate auditory and visual acuity, tracking, and inspection ability; meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements; and frequently lift up to 80 pounds.
- Must be a member of the collective bargaining agreement.
Responsibilities
- Safely coordinate train crews on freight trains; place rail cars for loading and unloading; and make up and break down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, or similar locations.
- Work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries.
- Work nonstandard schedules, overtime, and varying shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays according to seniority.
- Travel and stay away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required; cover outlying locations based on seniority.
- Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.
- Ensure compliance with railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, railroad signals, and train orders.
- Inspect all equipment on rail cars before departure.
- 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, identify customer needs, and provide service that meets or exceeds expectations.
- Monitor 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.
- Attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center, including classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies.
- Maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests; failure to do so results in release from the program and rescission of the offer.
- Begin on-the-job training immediately after successfully completing training at the Atlanta Training Center.
Desired Qualifications
- At least one year of outside-work experience, such as construction, heavy-equipment operation, or farming; professional, personal, or volunteer experience is accepted.
- Experience working in a safety-sensitive environment.
- 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
See people who can refer or advise you
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