Detroit, MI Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp. • Detroit, MI

52d • $70,000 - $84,000 • 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; the company provides training.

This is a seniority-based position. New employees 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, potentially with 90 minutes’ notice, and should expect to spend two to three days away from home each week. Union membership is required within 60 days after completing training.

On-the-job training lasts approximately 20 weeks and may take longer depending on the assigned location. Training includes classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first five weeks take place at Norfolk Southern’s Training Center in McDonough, Georgia, with hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from the hire location provided. 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 outdoor work in all weather, irregular schedules, and constant alertness around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines. Conductors must meet stated physical and FRA medical standards, including lifting and carrying up to 85 pounds, passing a hang test, walking several miles on uneven terrain, and meeting vision, color vision, and hearing 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 $5,000 retention bonus effective July 1, 2026, paid in installments tied to training completion and subsequent service milestones.

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, with no 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 FRA drug and alcohol screening.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• 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 available on call 24/7, potentially with 90 minutes’ notice.
• 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 of 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, 1000, and 2000 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 FRA and company safety regulations.
• Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents.
• Deliver railcars to customers and transport trains over long distances.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins in the second calendar month of employment.
• Dental insurance eligibility after one year of service.
• Life insurance eligibility after one year of service.
• 401(k) eligibility after one year of service.
• Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.
• Retention bonus of $5,000, effective July 1, 2026, with installments of $1,000 upon completion of on-the-job training, $1,500 six months after training completion, and $2,500 twelve months after training completion.
• Vacation eligibility: two weeks after two or more years of service; three weeks after six or more years; four weeks after fifteen or more years; and five weeks after twenty-three years.

What This Job Offers

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