A Day in the Life of a Conductor

As a Railway Personnel/Conductor you will be riding trains in the yards and on the main line -- all under strict operating and safety rules. This entry level position can lead to advancement as a yard foreperson or locomotive engineer.
For more information visit: www8.cpr.ca/cms...

[@ATSF1927]

I worked for Santa Fe Railway for 41 years as a Throttle Jerker retired in 1986, that was one career I enjoyed. Not many of us still around that were Steam era Railroaders.

[@thepeacefultrucker5333]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾thank you

Hard work in dangerous, arctic conditions, shitty equipment, irregular schedules and 34 years until I get a weekend off? Sign me up!

[@spookerredmenace3950]

sounds like a fun time to meeeeeeeee :P also you forgot about the stupid people who wonder on to the tracks , or the selfish jumpers or people who toss things

[@BossSpringsteen69]

It might take 10-15 years before you can hold a regularly scheduled night shift job with Tuesday and Wednesday off.

[@jeremiahjeremiah1319]

Lmfao sounds about right hahaha

[@smokelesschoice165]

And if you're good, maybe in 15 to 20 years of cumulative service without a sick day you can work swing shifts with two days off a month and a even receive a special one week holiday in late January during the dead of winter. Sounds about right in Keith Creel's delusional version of the railroad.

[@Red-ju4mi]

When I heard union and seniority and that was a benefit... I thought the oppisite. Anyone seniored into rail road work will never retire lol

[@Chris55433]

If the company has a good reputation you best take the offer. Money is nice but a good stable job where you can be happy is the most important.

[@25mfd]

@niselat Your comments summed up the railroad lifestyle PERFECTLY. I did this for 12 yrs with chicago & northwestern and then union pacific after they took over. Crappy working hours,freeze your balls off in the winter and waiting 30 years to hold your "dream job",only to have the company pull that job off only weeks before you FINALLY have enough seniority to hold it. PERFECT.

[@smokelesschoice165]

Sounds like a real "screw game" they pulled on you. That's too bad.

[@25mfd]

​@@smokelesschoice165it most certainly was a screw game

[@Sam-cl7dx]

Goes from an engineer, to a yard master, to a manager. Downgrading my boy

[@TrillBill]

But I though Peter Griffin worked at the Pawtucket Brewery?

[@azzaezz2224]

+Fire Marshall Bill I\'m not sure but ,if anyone else wants to uncover how do i get a railroad job try Tarbetti Rail Work Tutor (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my mate got great success with it.

[@TrillBill]

Azza Ezz It was intended to be a joke m8

[@gangstashanksta]

haaauuaa

[@slipperylaw4329]

Yea right?!?

[@RossJohnsonVIA1]

chad might know my brother he works at CP out of Nelson, BC. He is a qualified locomotive engineer and also started out in Cranbrook, BC. He now works as a conductor on the trail, BC Hotshot and Tadanac switcher on the kootenay Valley Railway

[@satishbvad743]

Heloo Rose johnson, myself satishkumar from india , presently i working as Train driver in India ..i really much excited to work as rail conductor , can you please tell me how can i apply for that from india. 🙏

[@SaidurRahman-py1jj]

There are lots of those, and getting called out at 3 am is a sort of normal thing for anyone on a extra board, but it is a very interesting job as no day is ever the same, in fact the life of anyone in T&E can be and is a lot of boredom & be prepared to work up to 12 hrs on any train job.

[@jeremykhn]

I am a bigger passenger fan than freight, and my dream is to be an engineer for Amtrak, but you got to start somewhere! And this is a good look!

[@Sam-cl7dx]

Set some higher goals, Amtrak lol. Foamers😂

[@markjames4820]

I'm sure CP won't be such a good place to work anymore with E. Hunter Harrison at the helm of CEO since 2012. He hacked CN to bits with an axe when he was their CEO, so he will do the same thing here. Expect more hours and only 12 days off a year.

[@winstont.ramirezsr.1023]

Harrison is dead!!

[@astraldrifter777]

Yea, close to a hundred bucks an hour just sounds terrible. Imagine making less than an fourth of that and hating your job in the same way

[@denver3739]

@@astraldrifter777 year old but I love the mindset

[@derail14]

This guy left out a lot of things, like going to rules & air brake classes, physical exam every 2 yrs, having to to learn the territory and be exam-ed by a rfe or other official, and also being away from home for up to 3 days at a times, learning every rule in the rule book and there are lots of those, and getting called out at 3 am is a sort of normal thing for anyone on a extra board, but it is a very interesting job as no day is ever the same, in fact the life of anyone in T&E can be and is a lot of boredom & be prepared to work up to 12 hrs on any train job.

[@zymuur]

Wow 3 days away from home? 12 hour shifts? courses? How do these men do it. Fuck off. I started working a service rig when I was 17 and worked 16 hour days outside in -30 with barely any heat unless you just wanted to not work. And gone from home up to 3 weeks. And many more courses, obviously re doing them every 3 years. This looks like a piece of cake dream job.

[@TheCraiger1969]

Currently doing 12 hour days, and getting paid for 8 of them. I know some rail roaders. You don't have it that bad.

[@CrazyCanuck91]

lol try driving a truck for a week. you'll be screaming to get back to the railroad I promise you.

[@willygoat9390]

try working from 9 AM to 2 AM the next day. Oh, and when I did that, my co-worker worked 72 hours straight. this fucking place I'm at now blows, and it might be gone in a month. That's one of the reasons I applied for CP...

[@anthonysopran4342]

TheCraiger1969 HOW IS THAT EVEN LEGAL?Only getting Payed for 8 Hours and working 12?Unless it's a private business or something..NO GOVT JOB Is allowed to do that

[@enr3870]

Treat everyone with respect and dignity...sure wish CN would do the same.

[@smokelesschoice165]

The version of CP in this video (2010) was made when Fred Green was CEO, 2 years before Hunter Harrison took over and then put the company through the wood chipper, turning it into nothing but a horror show of crap and abuse. His protege Keith Creel took over after him and continued Hunter's legacy of total dread.

[@13BD]

This video makes everything sound a lot easier than it really is, keep in mind. I am and always have been fascinated with trains, rails and the entire industry. Unfortunately, the everyday work-life of a conductor is too mechanical and chaotic for my liking. I suggest a very thorough in-depth search of the entire career choice before jumping into it. I went from wanting to join a 1 year train conductor program to Criminology and now, law school. Would have been a different life for me!

[@yz125ryder]

did you get into law Brian?

[@amtrakdep6778]

Thank you for your diligence in this company and enable them to gain a place attributed to the prosperity and development of a balanced application of justice and responsibility in the esteemed place I'm from Algeria and loved the train but the goal is not achieved, and I look to the Dama in America train

[@darkefoxxcreations]

Technology is always being updated and the rotation of working seven days a days a week remains the same.

[@smokelesschoice165]

A bunch of times in some of these departments, it's like 6 day work weeks at 12hrs a pop totaling 72hrs a week. How the hell is a person supposed to get done all of their other duties outside of the job? This kind of schedule might work for a single person without a social life. But for married people or those who are dating or those who like to party during a 72hr a week work schedule?? Forget it... Not in this line of work. Move on elsewhere to another career.

[@brandonluco]

I think it should be mandatory that a person doesn't have to work 7 days a week or even 6, it's unethical and we are not robots, are body isn't going to last forever so why degrade it with a job like this? i'll continue my career search

[@redoyislam5217]

In some days I am searching a good video related Corbandy Simple Railroad Crusher. Then I see this video. This is really a good video. Thanks for sharing this.

[@brandonluco]

I shared this video?

[@simha7392]

Brandon Luco I\'m not sure but ,if anyone else wants to uncover how to apply for a railroad job try Tarbetti Rail Work Tutor ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my co-worker got cool results with it.

[@deepspacecobra4276]

+Brandon Luco if you paid attention. you're on call 7 days a week then are entitled to rest days after a trip. yard work usually is fixed hours 5 or 6 days a week.

[@andjelastankovic1625]

+Brandon Luco I\'m not sure but ,if anyone else is searching for how do i get a railroad job try Tarbetti Rail Work Tutor (just google it ) ? Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my cousin got cool success with it.

[@haroboy45]

The real requirements of the job is spending 70% of your life in hotels away from loved ones, putting up with jerk-off train masters and yard masters, teaching dumb ass trainees and being absolutely physically and mentally exhausted when u get home...trust me, my dad has been a conductor for 37 years.....but the pay is $36 by hour (American)...so its a toss up

[@zacheryMjefferson]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm looking into this

[@tjlazer79]

Mark Pattison yep. it was a career I was thinking of going into in Canada. we have cp and cn rail. both get incredibly shitty reviews saying you work almost nonstop as a new hire, you have no life. The money is good but what's the point if you can't enjoy it.

[@masterchiefgtx]

@fordlukebo Train crew- Conductors, Engineers, Brakemen, Switchmen, RCL Operators, Hostelers... Have to be 18 to apply.

[@masterchiefgtx]

I start new hire train crew training next week with UP!!!

[@JohnMuise]

I just applied for this job!

[@cheeseheadwizard]

John Singarti how did that turn out?

[@Anglynn74]

can someone tell me for a new hire, as a conductor, what is the average salary per year?

[@alirezaoveissi8983]

i love become a train conductor.my favorite job is it

[@omrail]

@trainsforever8 just apply. i do not know 100% but CN and CP most likely supply train crews to Agence métropolitaine de transport. so it will take some time be for your on the commuters. if you would like to still do the college thing there are schools in canada that have a Railway conductor class. but that cost money. lf you apply and get on start to the railway you get payed to do the say as you paying some school.

[@jayvonnoelsmith8445]

So amazing

[@allstarjamz80]

railroad operations are a tough job and it takes 15-20 years on the job to actually start making money. Its very tough work and you will never have a lifestyle on top of that from the moment you get hired to the time you retire your wonderful management team will make every effort to fire you because they can care less about the health and well being of your family. Think twice before you put that application in because you are signing your life away

[@JohnMuise]

@niselat I talked to one of the guys in the video, you are married to the job, lol

[@EMDSD90]

been RR for 4 yr an im holding days off too! class one to much dam paper work!

[@omrail]

@mantler112 George brown is Toronto, BCIT SAIT all have classes.but you pay the school. if you apply and get on the rail way then you get payed.

[@masterchiefgtx]

@RussianPalikhov Well lots of passenger rail conductors and engineers start off in freight.

[@TexasAlabamaBoi205]

As long as the hog head doesn’t get a knuckle,drawbar,air hose or the crews get a dragging equipment or hotbox…..most road conductors will do nothing but sleep!!!! A road conductor is one job you can come to work tired especially since there’s PTC!

[@Thewphimisms]

What kind of switch was that? It looked like it belonged on the B&O railroad.

[@satansbestfriend100]

freedom of not having to work everyday???

[@inboundbryguy]

Is CP going to be hiring conductors again soon? The search on the page comes up with no results.

[@ATSF1927]

@edbelfor2 I started out as grade crossing Gateman for 1 month than promoted to a Brakeman then Fireman on the old Baldwin Steamers that used Coal Oil and was OJT as a Throttle Jerker.

[@Dronkey64]

did they put instrumental coldplay at the credits?

[@imeldaortizgarcia7727]

Son Unos Maquinistas Entregados Y Entusiastas En En Trabajo

[@damirberikkazinov1764]

.... а что он установил на хвостовом вагоне и соединил его с рукавом?

[@fordlukebo]

@masterchiefgtx thanks for the help.

[@Kvr3005]

Now that Hunter Harrison is in charge I may stay away from CP until he is gone.

[@Kvr3005]

@mantler112 cn stands for Canadian National Railway

[@hawaiikai1642]

so are you guys saying its not worth it considering CN?

[@northerntruckerman]

Anybody know what that little pedal is for that the conductor steps on trackside at 1:48 ??

[@sureman13]

R.I.P. CPR APRIL 13 2023

[@fordlukebo]

@masterchiefgtx what is a train crew training? i want to be working with trians when i get older? and do i have to be 21 to apply with train company?

[@guythiswhos]

Oh and as a CP new recruit you can be expected to be forced to another city or town, or laid off...

[@slaphappy1951]

what about that 50 foot rule?

[@nazreenshazman1791]

how to be a railroad conductor? try this Corbandy simple railroad crusher (make a google search for it) it was great and helpful

[@iamwesterncanadian570]

RIP Jeff

[@streetsurfer133]

Glad for you but... whats the point of showing it off in a youtube comment?

[@In2u]

OMG! One of the Top Employers?.. I think Chad has Quit or got fired!

[@TrillBill]

+In2u Poor Chad lol

[@Leafyvisons]

My friend Angele is a conductor and she’s dope…

[@Kvr3005]

I know what I'm doing when I grow up.

[@masterchiefgtx]

@rbfishcss Defiantly not the best job in the world but I think I'll wait till I find a job that allows more free time with at least close pay before running... I made $4200 last half before taxes...

[@chrislang6698]

Anyone know what the starting salary is?

[@unionpacifictrain]

@69zekes Its good to have college though, theres thousands of applicants for one job, wouldn't they pick the most educated out of those people? Without college or not doing very well in highschool odds are against you.

[@Darryldlowe]

How do you get paid if you don't work

[@alexander1485]

i'm surprised they use miles and mph.... when canada uses KMH and metric.

[@mohammadfauzibaharum5911]

alexander1485 interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about help getting a railroad job try *Greega Railroad Job Guru* (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my brother in law got great results with it.

[@bkbrown5881]

@SilverstoneZED every old head says that about their company...........

[@GolfFoxtrotCharlie-gfc]

Fuck class 1 and 2 railroads. Any of you wanting to get on the railroad should try to get on a class 3 shortline railroad, a good number of them actually have set days off even for the extra board. I worked for the IAIS (a class 2) and we never had days off, I would have had to been there for about 16 years before id be able to actually bid and hold a job. We'd work 12's every day, and they'd pull that loop hole of informing you that they were gonna call you in on your rest before you tied up, so youd go home and 8 or 9 hours later the phone goes off again. Theyd never let you get that 6th start, theyd work you for 5 then give you just enough time off for your starts to reset back to 0, then theyd be calling again. After the IAIS I got on the IANR (a class 3) and was blown away when I was told their extra board has 2 set days off a week, they were wednesday and thursday. I didnt know what to do with all that time off, Id sit there like, what do normal people do when theyre not at work?... I could actually shut my phone off, plan things, finish movies, and best of all not live with the dread of the phone going off as soon as your head hits the pillow after staying up all fucking day and night waiting for the call. I loved the IAIS, they actually treated you really well compared to other railroads, but theres only so many birthdays, holidays, get togethers you can miss before you say fuck this. It should be work to live, not live to work. So if youre looking to get on the railroad, look into shortlines or even switching companies like Railserve, Savage, Rj Corman or Rail Link. Switching companies have amazing set schedules, and its still railroading... as much as it can be. lol

[@gm16v149]

Yeah but the gear is pretty ancient on short lines, yes?

[@unionpacifictrain]

@69zekes I don't think it would be even easy to get the job without finishing highschool and or getting soem college.

[@Keitaro2011]

Woo! I'm gonna be one! Just as soon as I take the course at BCIT! X3

[@unashamed3767]

WawaZara

[@Viking88Power]

His vest is not zipped up, that lands you in some trouble!

[@benjaminfranklin8174]

Conductor I HAVE A PROBLEM!!

[@jerayaz7410]

interesting points ,if anyone else wants to learn about getting a railroad job try @Corbandy Simple Railroad Crusher (just google it ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my cousin got amazing success with it.

[@tylersmith3270]

hi everyone ,if anyone else needs to find out about how do i get a job on the railway try Corbandy Simple Railroad Crusher (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my brother in law got cool success with it.

[@solidgoldrooster]

Ever heard of the Corbandy simple railroad crusher. Its very fascinating I reccomend you all to search google on it! Railroad conductor job

[@pronabgain4665]

hunter wiens Hi I like this video. It is much heared that Corbandy simple railroad crusher. It is very amazing.It is very helpfull for railroad conductor. To know more search the google.

[@ICTClass24]

+hunter wiens I love your video, particularly your advice about railroad jobs in atlanta . A product I also found useful for union pacific job is Corbandy Simple Railroad Crusher - find it on google if you like

[@moradbalcaid]

hey ,if anyone else wants to learn about how do i get a job on the railway try Tarbetti Rail Work Tutor (just google it ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my colleague got excellent success with it.

[@saip574]

interesting points ,if anyone else trying to find out help getting a railroad job try Tarbetti Rail Work Tutor (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my co-worker got great results with it.

[@boxerfan2]

Can upper education by pass seniority?

[@emiliedurand3685]

boxerfan2 hi everyone ,if anyone else is searching for how do i get a job on the railway try Elumpa Railroad Jobs Alchemist (just google it ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my buddy got excellent results with it.

[@BigBoyO56]

Same here bud

[@edbelfor2]

@ATSF1927 I am just starting out as a brakeman with CP Rail, (Just turned 18) Would really love to have experienced the rail culture and operating procedures you had gone through. I am assuming you were a Fireman at first?

[@jeremiahjeremiah1319]

Still working?

[@nevil8779]

I applied on 26 August,got a phone call on 31 August and was informed to check email.Its been 15 days and I am still waiting for the email.Is there anyone in the same boat ?I am from Edmonton,Canada.Thanks

[@andrewpearce2562]

nevil check your spam folder?

[@twentyfour44]

What if you were with your family for holidays

[@Eagles.Fan.Since.Super.Bowl.52]

I realize your comment is old and you are most likely real young. You ALWAYS have to be ready to go into work within 90-120 minutes (depending what your job requires). If you are with your family for the holidays you are already aware that you are expected to be within a 90-120 minute drive to work.

[@seanburdock4305]

TOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@slash9dotnet]

Cleaning switches sucks. lol

[@unionpacifictrain]

@69zekes Oh, it is getting harder to now a days to get jobs without a great education.

[@dearbornerik]

hmm job maybe are you in Michigan ?

[@alexander1485]

its not a good idea to be a big fat conductor... hard to walk between narrow yard tracks

[@Thepowerslice]

@bozerabc123 Make job environments shit and stressful, by stressful because if you fuck up and then have to have someone arbitrate for you to maybe save your job? Also they give you healthcare. You may have to pay dues but its better than being dead in the water.

[@Waffles341]

@yodonvito4 CP Sd40

[@Kvr3005]

You have some serious issues man, All I did was say what I wanted to do when after high school, I have liked trains all my life and I will continue to. BTW my comment is the most liked on this video.

[@syahmisidek8813]

Not certain about the points made but ,if anyone else trying to find out getting a railroad job try Tarbetti Rail Work Tutor (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some super things about it and my friend got amazing success with it.

[@Dieselnut216]

Pretty much. The railroad I work (csx) for treats its workers like shit though.

[@turkeychuck]

my gf is a conductor :)

[@Jemalacane0]

Railroads should definitely rid themselves of union stranglehold.

[@Jemalacane0]

@Alex Beall I know exactly where I speak.

[@harpreetdhindsa9713]

Can girls do this kinda job?

[@s2v8377]

The job of a Conductor is getting Engineers in trouble, and sleeping while the Engineer has to stay awake and run the train. Then after a hard day of sleeping and getting the Engineer in trouble it's time to complain how hard their job is.

[@selkirkswift]

s2v8377 lol all engineers do is sit and get fat eating mayonnaise sandwiches

[@edbelfor2]

@mantler112 If you don't know what CN stands for I suggest you stay away from the Railway.

[@billporter9494]

don' t bother, closed shop.

[@anthonysopran4342]

NOT EASY..U PULL THE WRONG CART AND UR DONE...IT HAS HAPPENED BEFR

[@marvinlewis1169]

HUNTER HARRISON IS THE TRUMP OF THE RAILROAD.

[@guettakaden6551]

interesting points ,if anyone else wants to uncover how to apply for a railroad job try Elumpa Railroad Jobs Alchemist (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some great things about it and my partner got great success with it.

[@aaroneckardt5514]

All I can say is woah. Really doesn't look like it's worth the money.

[@charleneprabash3518]

interesting points ,if anyone else wants to learn about getting a railroad job try Debuncar Railroad Jobs Aid (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my neighbor got excellent results with it.

[@KiloByte69]

Fuck off.

[@blainevideos123]

(Dislike)

[@CoomerGremlinDGGfan]

How much would a conductor at cp make per year in Canada?

[@ajaaniajaa]

+scabies depends, anywhere between 50-150K.

[@MelvinaBagley-n4p]

Hernandez Richard Thompson Melissa Martin Sandra

[@alexander1485]

I got it easy, almost all flat except a little hill (can slow heavier trains by 15-20 mph) near my home terminal, 139 miles, and its not boring, 150+ crossings, swamp, cities, draw bridges (1 is a 3000 foot long 9 span), forest, country/farms, and a bit of everything. I'm enjoying it, pretty comfortable, but not too (IE Complacent or arrogant) much so.

[@ltaproductions7989]

I don't care much for working outdoors or anything of that matter, but I do like driving trains

[@streetsurfer133]

Grammar exists you know, I think your comment just killed all the faith I had left in humanity.

[@bucephalus00]

The music sounds very similar to clocks by Coldplay

[@margaretwick3726]

In a word search game, what does a conductor stand on? thanks

[@allisonvanschindel4961]

ballast

[@HDCanadianTrainVideos]

apparently, CP and CN have thousands of applicants for a Conductor's position... without taking the 4 month course at George Brown for $10,000... how can I squeak past the other several applicants??