Main duties

Railway conductors

• Supervise and co-ordinate the activities of passenger and freight train crew members (except locomotive engineers) to ensure train operations are in accordance with schedule, train orders and code of operating rules
• Receive train orders and explain orders to brakemen/women, locomotive engineer and other crew members
• Communicate with train crew members by radio, signals or by other means to give and receive train operation information
• Collect fares on board passenger trains, announce approaching train stops and answer passenger enquiries
• Prepare train run reports.

Brakemen

• Check train systems and equipment such as air conditioning and heating systems, brakes and brake hoses prior to train run
• Communicate with train crew members by radio, signals or by other means to aid in the movement and operation of train
• Receive orders from traffic controllers, observe signals and track conditions and open and close track switches
• Set and release hand brakes and connect air brake hoses to couple and switch passenger or freight cars, making minor repairs to couplings, air hoses and wheel-bearing boxes as required
• Assist in collecting fares and helping passengers on and off train.

Education

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Experience as a brakeman is required for conductors.
• Experience as a railway worker is usually required for brakemen/women.
• Railway conductors require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
• Brakemen require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.

Language

• IELTS – 5 minimum.

Experience

• Have at least two years full-time in the past five years.