Train Conductor- EN

Qualified rate: $53.61 per hour. New hires may start at a lower hourly rate during their qualifying period.

About the role

As a Train Conductor at CN, you will act as a member of a 2 or 3-person train crew, performing duties associated with the movement of trains, rail cars, and locomotives in rail yards and on the road. You will coordinate the assembly of trains and complete groundwork outside the locomotive cab, including operating track switches, picking up rail cars, and making emergency repairs.

The role offers a dynamic 24/7 schedule with exciting challenges, paid training, and a supportive team environment. You’ll work outdoors in a safety-focused setting where no two days are alike.

Working Conditions

• Work a flexible schedule with regular and predictable attendance, aligned with a 24/7 railroading environment.
• Available for night shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and extended periods away from home when required.
• Push, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally; assist in moving weights up to 83 pounds infrequently.
• Primarily work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Operate devices on rail cars and locomotives, such as uncoupling levers and handbrakes.
• Climb on and off ladders of rail cars.
• Grasp and hold objects while riding the side of a train.
• Walk for extended periods, sometimes on uneven surfaces; bend, stoop, squat, and kneel frequently.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all train orders, signals, railroad rules, and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations.
• Provide and receive oral and printed communications concerning rail car movement and placement.
• Assemble and dismantle trains in the rail yard; pick up and set off rail cars on-route.
• Observe, interpret, and relay signals concerning train and engine movement.
• Operate track switches to change locomotive and rail car routes.
• Inspect the condition of trains and equipment.
• Prepare necessary forms and reports.
• Travel as required, potentially away from home for more than one night at a time.
• Follow company safety procedures and maintain safety awareness in all work environments.
• Make effective decisions in unfamiliar locations or emergency situations.
• Communicate regularly with the Rail Traffic Control center, other train crews, and departments via handheld radio.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Meet all medical fitness-for-duty requirements for the position.
• Proficiency in both oral and written English communications.

Assets

• Relevant work experience in similar working conditions or regulatory/safety environments.
• Knowledge of signals or Railroad Operating Rules.
• Post-secondary education.
• Ability to work autonomously, adapt to different situations, and manage stressful scenarios.
• Demonstrated teamwork and positive interactions with colleagues.
• Adherence to operating rules and safety procedures, maintaining a high level of safety awareness.

Benefits

• Competitive wages and pension plan.
• Paid training and career development.
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• 24/7 telemedicine service.
• Employee Share Investment Plan (ESIP).
• Educational Financial Assistance Program.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
• Extensive employee discount program.
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

Paid Training

Newly hired CN Conductors participate in a comprehensive paid training program at CN Campus in Homewood, IL. CN covers expenses related to transportation, accommodation, and meals during training. Successful completion of the entire program—including written exams, physical assessments, and field training—is required to work as a CN Conductor.

• 4 weeks at CN’s Campus (classroom training).
• 4 weeks at a CN Home Terminal (on-site training with the team).
• 3 weeks at Campus (classroom training and knowledge checks).
• 45+ supervised train trips to qualify as a conductor.

Successful Candidate Process

• Medical assessment (including drug, hearing, and vision tests).
• Criminal background check.
• Offer letter.

About CN

CN is a premium railroad committed to safety, service, and sustainability. Essential to the economy, CN transports over 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods across North America annually. With a 20,000-mile rail network connecting Canada’s coasts to the U.S. South, CN contributes to community prosperity and sustainable trade. The company is dedicated to building North America’s safest, most inclusive, and sustainable railroad, reflecting the communities it serves.