Trainmaster

Patriot Rail•Homer, LA

About The Position

The Trainmaster supervises and coordinates train crew activities and oversees rail yard operations within an assigned territory. The role communicates switching orders, coordinates the movement of railcars, manages car information and operational reports, and ensures crew work and train lists are accurate and timely. The Trainmaster also approves area labor hours, investigates accidents and incidents, and monitors operating costs and track conditions that affect productivity and efficiency. The position requires current locomotive engineer and conductor certifications, at least three years of prior trainmen experience, knowledge of basic federal railroad regulations, and the ability to communicate instructions, train personnel, make independent judgments, and respond quickly to emergencies. The role involves frequent travel, working outdoors in all weather, and physical activities including occasionally lifting or moving up to 80 pounds. Safety and compliance with operating rules are essential. Patriot emphasizes safety, integrity, reliability, ethical behavior, and exceptional customer service as core values.

Requirements

At least three years of prior experience in trainmen functions.
Maintain current locomotive engineer and conductor certifications.
Knowledge of and ability to apply basic federal railroad regulations, guidelines, and rules.
Ability to read and comprehend safety rules, procedures, manuals, government regulations, operating and maintenance instructions, memos, and other work-related information.
Ability to carry out written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions and apply reasoning to define problems, assess information, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to communicate instructions, directions, processes, procedures, and safety rules effectively in written, oral, diagrammatic, and schedule formats.
Ability to train switch crews and other yard personnel.
Ability to make independent judgments using sound reasoning and relevant knowledge.
Ability to respond quickly to emergency and non-emergency situations.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, courteously, efficiently, and professionally with coworkers, yard personnel, switching crews, engineers, railroad officials, and others.
Ability to pass training and required testing.
Verbal comprehension of general and technical oral and written communications.
Clear communication and instruction-giving skills.
Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
Effective time management and prioritization across a broad range of activities.
Frequently sit, stand, walk, handle objects, reach, write, talk, type, and hear; occasionally stoop, bend, or kneel and lift or move up to 80 pounds.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Travel is anticipated to be 25–50%.

Responsibilities

Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews.
Receive instructions from a manager or customer about which cars are to be switched.
Communicate switching orders to the conductor and direct cars to specified yard locations using radio, telephone, verbal, or hand signals.
Give instructions for throwing track switches and coupling or uncoupling cars.
Manage cars online using RMI reports.
Ensure daily train lists are accurate as generated by customer service and as completed by train crews within the assigned territory.
Ensure reporting, including daily crew worksheets and weekly operational reports, is accurate and timely.
Download and read locomotive event recorder data.
Understand car hire and demurrage.
Approve all man-hours within the assigned area of responsibility and forward the hours to the appropriate personnel or department promptly.
Initiate and provide accurate, complete, and timely investigations of accidents and incidents, including causes, remedial actions, and recommended solutions.
Understand quantitative factors contributing to major railroad costs and their effects on financial performance.
Understand outstanding track conditions in the assigned territory, including slow orders, and their effects on productivity and efficiency.
Train switch crews and other yard personnel in job-related duties, regulations, rules, safety guidelines, and preventive maintenance.
Perform additional duties as assigned.