Conductor Question

[miniwyo]

I have another question for information for my paper. What exactly does a conductor do? Just wondering that way I can explain a modern conductor's role in today's railroad rather than the old image of the conductor coming through passenger cars collecting tickets.

[csxengineer98]

conductors today do all the ground work....unless they get a brakeman or a yard utility man to help with it... but if they dont have help..they will line all switches... apply and remove all handbrakes... they will make cuts..and double tracks... they go over all the train paperwork to make sure the train is built right..... get instructions for the yard masters...and all of this is befor they leave the yard....now once on the road... they are responsable to make sure the train donst speed...complies with all slow orders...dispatcher messages...and signal indications....flag crossings should they have to.... cut crossings if they need to... make setoffs and pickups long the line of road.... line switches that maybe needed to be lined for any number or reasons.....now here is big one.... they are the ones that have to walk the trains if something goes wrong.... you get a hotbox..they have to walk it to find it...and if need be..set the car out... you train goes into emergancy...and you cant get the air...he has to go back and find out what the problem is... and if need be..change an air hose...or even a coupler knuckle.... and on some roads..... call for permitions into MOW work zones... talk to the dispatchers...and even call the singals...and .... last but not least... (the good ones do this) will carry on a conversation that will help keep the engineer awake.....
csx engineer

[edblysard]

In addition to CSXs excellent discription of what being a conductor is really like, here the offical version from the GCOR, General Code of Operating Rules...

A. Conductor Responsibilities


The conductor supervises the operation and administration of the train (if trains are combined with more than one conductor on board, the conductor with the most seniority takes charge). All persons employed on the train must obey the conductor's instructions, unless the instructions endanger the train's safety or violate the rules. If any doubts arise concerning the authority for proceeding or safety, the conductor must consult with the engineer who will be equally responsible for the safety and proper handling of the train.
The conductor must advise the engineer and train dispatcher of any restriction placed on equipment being handled.
When the conductor is not present, other crew members must obey the instructions of the engineer concerning rules, safety, and protection of the train.
Freight conductors are responsible for the freight carried by their train. They are also responsible for ensuring that the freight is delivered with any accompanying documents to its destination or terminals. Freight conductors must maintain any required records.
B. Engineer Responsibilities

The engineer is responsible for safely and efficiently operating the engine. Crew members must obey the engineer's instructions that concern operating the engine. A student engineer or other qualified employee may operate the engine under close supervision of the engineer. Any employee that operates an engine must have a current certificate in his possession.
The engineer must check with the conductor to determine if any cars or units in the train require special handling.
C. Conductor and Engineer Responsibilities

Conductors and engineers must ensure that their subordinates are familiar with their duties, determine the extent of their experience and knowledge of the rules, and instruct them, when necessary, how to perform their work properly and safely.


Stay Frosty,
Ed

[tatans]

Did some conductors ever carry guns? I seem to recall some had permission to do so. If so, does anyone know the reason???

[dekemd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

Did some conductors ever carry guns? I seem to recall some had permission to do so. If so, does anyone know the reason???

I believe company policy on most if not all railroads prohibits the carrying of weapons on company property. Of course the company never seems to think about all the potential weapons the employees must work with everyday. Think about what kind of harm you could do to someone by picking up a spare air hose and swinging it like a club.

Derrick

[KansasMike]

Isn't it the conductor's responsibility to walk the train armed with a hammer and toss off any 'bos hiding in or under the cars???

Oh wait, maybe I'm thinking of some movie I saw once......[:D]

[ChuckCobleigh]

Yeah, you're thinking of Ernest Borgnine. That flick just ran through one of the cable channels a couple of weeks ago. Cat Ballou aside, I still think it is one of Lee Marvin's best flicks. Especially the baptism scene in the river.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChuckCobleigh

Yeah, you're thinking of Ernest Borgnine. That flick just ran through one of the cable channels a couple of weeks ago. Cat Ballou aside, I still think it is one of Lee Marvin's best flicks. Especially the baptism scene in the river.

no..have to disagree...the dirty dozen moveies where the best lee marvin flicks
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

Removing illegal riders is a what Railway Cops are for.

[dldance]

one other conductor duty, I was recently on an Amtrak train involved in an accident. The conductor was first on the scene and handled most of the communication with the local police, and emergency personnel.

dd

[Anonymous]

Train service personnel employed by nearly all railroad companies (in particular those lines that operate according to GCOR rules) are prohibitied from being armed while on company property. Train service personnel (conductors, switchmen and engineers) are specifically not supposed to confront anyone that might be dangerous (much unlike what was portrayed in the "Emperor of the North" movie that was previously mentioned), but must immediately contact their railroad police or local law enforcement authorities.

Furthermore, train service personnel are (under GCOR rules) prohibitied from possessing any knives longer than 4 inches on company property.

[edblysard]

From the GCOR..


1.12 Weapons
While on duty or on railroad property, employees must not have firearms or other deadly weapons, including knives with a blade longer than 3 inches. Employees may possess these weapons only if they are authorized to use them to perform their duties, or if they are given special permission by the designated manager.

Ed

[shrek623]

QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

I have another question for information for my paper. What exactly does a conductor do? Just wondering that way I can explain a modern conductor's role in today's railroad rather than the old image of the conductor coming through passenger cars collecting tickets.

Our job is to hold the doors for engineers to get their three grips or so thru. You know, DVD player and other stuff they need while waiting for us to walk the air or fix that broken knuckle[:(!].[:D][:D][:D]

Shrek

[Anonymous]

During my conductor days I routinely carried a Charter Arms .38 cal. snubbie. While I was in training, one of our conductors was attacked by 3 a--holes while he was attempting to flag a crossing. His only "weapon" was his lantern which he did use to some effect. When I heard about this incident I swore that I'd carry something more potent than a lantern, job or no job.

I knew I was violating all manner of rules but I believe I have the right to defend myself. One day, while stopped in a siding, the engineer and I were discussing firearms. I told him about the snubbie I carried and the next thing I knew he reached in his grip and pulled out a beautiful .357 magnum! He'd been with the railroad a lot longer than I and he said I'd be surprised to know how many of our guys were packing.

I'm no longer a conductor and I thank God I never had to use my .38 in self defense.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by baberuth73

During my conductor days I routinely carried a Charter Arms .38 cal. snubbie. While I was in training, one of our conductors was attacked by 3 a--holes while he was attempting to flag a crossing. His only "weapon" was his lantern which he did use to some effect. When I heard about this incident I swore that I'd carry something more potent than a lantern, job or no job.

I knew I was violating all manner of rules but I believe I have the right to defend myself. One day, while stopped in a siding, the engineer and I were discussing firearms. I told him about the snubbie I carried and the next thing I knew he reached in his grip and pulled out a beautiful .357 magnum! He'd been with the railroad a lot longer than I and he said I'd be surprised to know how many of our guys were packing.

I'm no longer a conductor and I thank God I never had to use my .38 in self defense.

and it still happens to this day..rules or no rules....
csx engineer

[wabash1]

i have a 38 a 9 mm a 357 and a 25 cal and a 32. which one do i use to shoot bad guys with? any one i want.

conductors jobs are to sleep with the head down holding the paper work from flying out the window

[jeaton]

'conductors jobs are to sleep with the head down holding the paper work from flying out the window" wabash1

One of the reasons I think that the RR's would not realize as much savings from the elimination of conductor jobs. Think of the investment costs for paperweights. Oh yes, there would also be added expense buying and maintaining alarm clocks for the engineers. (We should also not forgot about the millions that will be spent to establish government regulations on the standards for paper weights and alarm clocks).

Jay

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by baberuth73

During my conductor days I routinely carried a Charter Arms .38 cal. snubbie. While I was in training, one of our conductors was attacked by 3 a--holes while he was attempting to flag a crossing. His only "weapon" was his lantern which he did use to some effect. When I heard about this incident I swore that I'd carry something more potent than a lantern, job or no job.

I knew I was violating all manner of rules but I believe I have the right to defend myself. One day, while stopped in a siding, the engineer and I were discussing firearms. I told him about the snubbie I carried and the next thing I knew he reached in his grip and pulled out a beautiful .357 magnum! He'd been with the railroad a lot longer than I and he said I'd be surprised to know how many of our guys were packing.

I'm no longer a conductor and I thank God I never had to use my .38 in self defense.

Funny, When the Rodney King riots broke out in LA I worked for a cable company in west LA. I used to carry my Ruger .45 with me every day. I thought I was the only one that packed. How nieve I was. When word of the riots reached the shop all the field personell were immediatly recalled back to the shop (about 40). when we were all gathered together the subject of fireams came up. In no time everyone was pulling out there peices and showing them off. God help the poor soul that tried to loot that property.