Shire Oaks, PA Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp. • Union Township, PA

15d • Onsite

About The Position

Norfolk Southern is hiring a Train Conductor in Shire Oaks, Pennsylvania. Conductors are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of freight trains, including building trains by coupling railcars, delivering railcars to customers, transporting trains over long distances, and handling electronic documentation and inspections. The role also involves troubleshooting train issues, reporting incidents, and following safety procedures. No prior railroad experience is required; training is provided.

This is a seniority-based position. New conductors start on the extra board, filling in where needed, and may bid on a regular assignment as they gain seniority. Employees must be available on call 24/7, sometimes with 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.

Training lasts about 20 weeks and may take longer depending on 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 on physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazardous materials, and signal rules.

The position requires outdoor work in all weather, irregular schedules that may include nights, weekends, and holidays, and constant alertness around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines. Conductors must meet physical and FRA medical requirements. 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. The posting also describes a $20,000 retention bonus effective November 2026, paid in installments tied to training completion and subsequent service milestones. Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins in the second calendar month of employment. Dental insurance, life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility begin after one year. Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes apply. Vacation eligibility increases with service: two weeks after two or more years, three weeks after six or more years, four weeks after 15 or more 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 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 be available for on-call work 24/7, potentially with as little as 90 minutes’ notice.
• Must join a union within 60 days after completing training.
• Must 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 a hang test: hang from a railcar ladder with three points of contact 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 specific 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 to meet this standard.

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 or more hours.

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

Benefits

• $20,000 retention bonus, effective November 2026, paid in installments after training completion and at six-, 12-, and 18-month milestones.
• 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 that increases with years of service.
• 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