Passenger Train Conductor Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Passenger Train Conductor

Best Schools to become a Passenger Train Conductor in U.S. 2024

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

In-State Tuition:$4,487
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,777
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:31%
Total Enrollment:89,705

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,815
Out-of-State Tuition:$36,239
Admission Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:74,014

SUNY Maritime College

Throggs Neck, NY

In-State Tuition:$7,070
Out-of-State Tuition:$16,980
Admission Rate:80%
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:1,427

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

In-State Tuition:$2,400
Out-of-State Tuition:$5,088
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:27%
Total Enrollment:16,497

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL

In-State Tuition:$2,095
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,947
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:37%
Total Enrollment:20,363

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, TX

In-State Tuition:$3,402
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,235
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:21%
Total Enrollment:40,131
Passenger Train Conductor Job Description:
  • Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location.
  • Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains.
  • Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Passenger Train Conductor

Job Duties for Passenger Train Conductors

  • Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.

  • Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.

  • Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.

Technologies and Skills Used by Passenger Train Conductors

Industrial control software

  • RailComm DocYard
  • SAIC government services and IT support software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Talking to others

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Passenger Train Conductor

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Passenger Train Conductor

FAQs About Becoming a Passenger Train Conductor