Manassas, VA Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp. • Manassas, VA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Norfolk Southern Train Conductors are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of freight trains. They build trains by coupling railcars, deliver railcars to customers, transport trains over long distances, and manage electronic documentation and inspections. Conductors are trained to troubleshoot train issues, report incidents, and comply with safety procedures. No prior railroad experience is required; the company provides training.

This is a seniority-based position. New conductors begin on the extra board, filling in where needed, and may bid on regular assignments after building sufficient seniority. The role requires availability for on-call work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, sometimes with as little as 90 minutes’ notice. Employees should expect to spend two to three days away from home each week and must join a union within 60 days after completing training.

Training lasts approximately 20 weeks, and may extend longer depending on the complexity of the assigned location. It includes classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first five weeks are at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, Georgia; the company provides hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from the hire location during 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 on physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazardous materials, and signal rules.

The job is performed outdoors in all weather, on irregular schedules that include on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays. It is safety-sensitive and requires constant alertness around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines. 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; experienced conductors average $84,000. The posting also describes a $5,000 retention bonus effective July 1, 2026, paid in installments after training completion and at six and 12 months afterward. Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins in the second calendar month of employment. After one year, employees become eligible for dental insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k). Employees are 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 and be available on call 24/7.
• Must have a clean driving record for the past 36 months, without a suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of a driver’s license resulting from a drug- or alcohol-related incident.
• Must not have been involved in diversion or probation, or pleaded guilty to 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 Federal Railroad Administration drug and alcohol screening.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must complete and pass classroom, field, and on-the-job training requirements, including written exams and field evaluations.
• Must be available to work irregular schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 85 pounds.
• Must pass the required physical standards, including hanging from a railcar ladder with three points of contact for 1 minute 15 seconds per side.
• Must be able to walk up to several miles per shift on uneven terrain.
• Must meet Federal Railroad Administration medical requirements, including visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both together, with or without corrective lenses.
• Must pass specific Federal Railroad Administration color vision tests; lenses used to improve color vision are not permitted.
• Must meet hearing requirements: no hearing loss greater than 40 dB average 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 12-hour-or-longer shifts.

Responsibilities

• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment to ensure 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 Federal Railroad Administration and company safety regulations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents.
• Deliver railcars to customers and transport trains over long distances.

Benefits

• Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents beginning in the second calendar month of employment.
• Dental insurance eligibility after one year of employment.
• Life insurance eligibility after one year of employment.
• 401(k) eligibility after one year of employment.
• Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.
• Retention bonus of $5,000, effective July 1, 2026, paid in installments after on-the-job training completion and at six and 12 months afterward.
• Vacation eligibility increasing with years of service: two weeks after two years, three weeks after six years, four weeks after 15 years, and five weeks after 23 years.
• Hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement during the first five weeks of training.

What This Job Offers

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