Portsmouth, OH Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp. • Porter Township, OH

20d • Onsite

About The Position

Train Conductors are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of freight trains. Their work includes building trains by coupling railcars, delivering railcars to customers, transporting trains over long distances, and managing electronic documentation and inspections. Conductors are trained to troubleshoot train issues, report incidents, and follow safety procedures. No prior railroad experience is required.

This is a seniority-based position. New conductors start on the extra board, filling in where needed, until they have enough seniority to bid on a regular assignment. Employees must be available on call 24/7, sometimes with as little as 90 minutes’ notice, and should expect to spend two to three days away from home each week. Employees must join a union within 60 days after completing training.

On-the-job training lasts about 20 weeks and may take longer depending on the complexity of the assigned location. Training includes classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first five weeks are at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, Georgia; hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from the hire location are provided for this period. Remaining training takes place at the assigned location. Successful completion requires passing classroom, field, and on-the-job requirements, including written exams and field evaluations covering physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazardous materials, and signal rules.

The role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions on irregular schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays. It is safety-sensitive and requires constant alertness around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines. Conductors must meet the physical and FRA medical standards described in the posting.

Trainees earn a minimum of $240 per shift during on-the-job training, with overtime at $30 per hour. First-year conductors average $70,000 annually, and experienced conductors average $84,000. A $5,000 retention bonus is effective July 1, 2026, paid in installments upon completion of training, six months after training, and 12 months after training. Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins in the second calendar month of employment. After one year, employees are eligible for dental insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k). The position is covered by Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes. Vacation eligibility increases with service: two weeks after two years, three weeks after six years, four weeks after 15 years, and five weeks after 23 years.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
• Must be able to report to work within 90 minutes.
• Must have a clean driving record for the past 36 months, without a license suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial resulting from a drug- or alcohol-related incident.
• Must not have been involved in diversion or probation, or pleaded guilty, in connection with a drug- or alcohol-related driving incident.
• Must not have refused a drug or alcohol test related to operating a motor vehicle.
• Must pass pre-employment FRA drug and alcohol screening.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be available for on-call work 24/7, including irregular schedules, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must join a union within 60 days after completing training.
• Must successfully pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job training requirements, including written exams and field evaluations.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 85 pounds.
• Must pass the hang test: hang from a railcar ladder with three points of contact (two feet and one hand) for 1 minute and 15 seconds per side.
• Must be able to walk up to several miles per shift on uneven terrain.
• Must meet FRA visual acuity requirements: at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both eyes together, with or without corrective lenses.
• Must pass FRA color vision tests; lenses used to improve color vision are not permitted.
• Must meet FRA hearing requirements: no more than 40 dB average hearing loss at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz in the better ear; a hearing aid may be used.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Experience with heavy equipment or in physically demanding roles.
• Experience working non-traditional shifts, on call, and/or shifts of 12 hours or longer.

Responsibilities

• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment for safe operation.
• Operate remote control locomotives and perform tasks such as coupling, aligning drawbars, applying hand brakes, and riding railcars.
• Communicate effectively with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers.
• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with FRA and company safety regulations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Troubleshoot train issues, report incidents, and ensure compliance with safety procedures.
• Complete required classroom, field, and on-the-job training, examinations, and evaluations.

Benefits

• Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents beginning the second calendar month of employment.
• Dental insurance eligibility after one year.
• Life insurance eligibility after one year.
• 401(k) eligibility after one year.
• Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.
• Retention bonus of $5,000, effective July 1, 2026, paid in installments tied to training completion and service milestones.
• Hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement during the first five weeks of training.
• Vacation eligibility that increases with years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed