Conductor/Engineer - Louisville, MS

Job Summary

The conductor/engineer position at Watco will control and coordinate train movements while switching railcars to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars in a safe and efficient manner to service our customers.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule
• Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment
• Read switching orders from designated person
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews
• Observe radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operate locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulations
• Observe arm or lantern signal and move controls to move locomotive backwards or forwards to switch and couple cars; or receive starting signal and move control; such as throttle and air brakes to operate locomotive
• Read and interpret wayside signals, track warrants and bulletins, and railroad rules and regulations to operate locomotive, following safety rules and regulations and time schedule
• Notifies engineer of switching orders and, whereby, which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, telephone, verbal or hand signals
• Talks to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information
• Confers with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains
• Gives instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars
• May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations
• Turns hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well as apply and release handbrakes
• Observes track to detect obstructions. Inspects locomotive after run to detect damaged or defective equipment
• Maintains records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched
• May coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower
• Raises coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars
• Throws track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signals Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio
• Connects air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force
• May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains
• Sits or rides in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members
• May make minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs
• Performs other duties as requested or required

Qualifications

• Ability to pass training and required testing
• Education: High School or GED equivalent