Train Crews

[Anonymous]

How many crew members are involved in working a train in the US? What role does each play in working the train.

[Anonymous]

For most road trains there are two crew members, a conductor and an engineer. The engineer is responsible for running the train. The conductor's responsibilites include, inspecting the train when time allows, inspecting other trains when having a meet, keeping an accurate train consist at all times, calling signals, and filling out the time sheet. The conductor is also in charge of the crew. In some places (depending on local union agreements) three man crews are used on road trains. On yard jobs, locals, and mine runs typically have three crew members. The third member of the crew is the brakeman, his job is to do what the conductor tells him to. In some yards the conductor is referred to as the foreman and the brakeman is referred to as the switchman.

Eric Armstrong
Conductor CSX Transportation