Altoona, PA Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp. • Altoona, PA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Train Conductors at Norfolk Southern are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of freight trains. Duties include 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; prior railroad experience is not required.

This is a seniority-based position. New conductors begin on the extra board, filling in where needed, until they can bid on a regular assignment. The role requires availability for on-call work 24/7, sometimes with as little as 90 minutes’ notice, and typically involves spending 2–3 days away from home each week. Employees must join a union within 60 days after completing training.

On-the-job training lasts approximately 20 weeks and may extend depending on the assigned location’s complexity. Training combines classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first five weeks are at Norfolk Southern’s Training Center in McDonough, Georgia; the company provides hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from the hire location. 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 position involves working outdoors in all weather, irregular schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays, and constant alertness around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines. It is safety-sensitive and has physical requirements, including lifting and carrying up to 85 pounds, walking several miles per shift over uneven terrain, passing a hang test, and meeting FRA medical standards for vision and hearing.

Conductor 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. Locomotive engineers earn a guaranteed minimum of $94,000, with potential to exceed $100,000. A $5,000 retention bonus is effective July 1, 2026, paid in installments upon training completion and at six and twelve months after training. 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). The role is also covered by Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes. Vacation eligibility increases with years of service, from two weeks after two years to five weeks after twenty-three 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 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 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 pass 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 and walk several miles per shift on uneven terrain.
• Must pass the hang test, including hanging from a railcar ladder with three points of contact for 1 minute and 15 seconds per side.
• Must meet FRA medical requirements, including visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both together, qualifying color vision, and hearing standards. Hearing standards may be met with a hearing aid.

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 FRA and company safety regulations.
• Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• $5,000 retention bonus, paid in installments after training completion and at six and twelve months following training completion; effective July 1, 2026.
• Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents beginning in 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.
• Vacation eligibility increases with years of service, reaching up to five weeks after twenty-three years.
• Hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement for the first five weeks of training.

What This Job Offers

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