Corning, NY Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp. • Town of Erwin, NY

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Norfolk Southern Train Conductors 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. No prior railroad experience is required; training is provided.

This is a seniority-based position. New conductors begin 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 are required to join a union within 60 days after completing training.

Training lasts approximately 20 weeks and may take 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 Norfolk Southern’s 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 covering physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazardous materials, and signal rules.

This safety-sensitive role involves working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines and requires constant alertness. Work takes place outdoors in all weather conditions, with irregular schedules that may include on-call shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.

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 $10,000 retention bonus is described as effective x/x/2026, paid in installments upon training completion and at six, 12, and 18 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 and life insurance and a 401(k). The position is covered by Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes. Vacation eligibility increases with length of service, from two weeks after two or more years to 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 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 be available for on-call work 24/7, including with as little as 90 minutes’ notice.
• 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.
• Must pass the hang test: hang from a railcar ladder with three points of contact (two feet and one hand) for one 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 hearing loss greater than 40 dB average at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz in the better ear; hearing aids 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.
• Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.
• Retention bonus of $10,000, described as effective x/x/2026 and paid in installments after training completion and at six, 12, and 18 months after training.
• Vacation eligibility of two weeks after two or more years of service, three weeks after six or more years, four weeks after 15 or more 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