Freight Train Conductor - Bedford Park, IL

Midway Southern Railway, Inc. (part of P&L Transportation, Inc.) is looking for Freight Train Conductors in Bedford Park, IL.

The conductor is responsible for the safe and efficient administration of the train operations and handling of customer freight in accordance with FRA, AAR, and Company rules, policies and regulations. All necessary safety procedures, guidelines and policies must be adhered to in the performance of the tasks assigned to this position as set forth below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand and adhere to operating rules, safety rules, policies, procedures and regulations and ensure train crew’s compliance with all train orders, signals, rules and regulations and for safe train operations.


• Perform railcar switching by combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains by switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic while directing engineer to move cars to fit planned train configurations.


• Receive and comprehend instructions, bulletins, work orders, and switch lists from dispatchers and Trainmaster, and discuss with locomotive engineer and train crew to ensure all understand the immediate job task.


• Complete paperwork of car movements and keep records of the contents and destination of each train car to ensure cars are added/removed at proper points on route in accordance with customer’s instructions and for proper billing.


• Observe, understand, and act upon the indications of color light signals and signs.


• Communicate with engineer, dispatcher, and other workers using telecommunications equipment/radios and hand signals.


• Inspect the condition of trains and equipment including making repairs such as changing knuckles and air brake hoses.

Job Requirements - Context and Environment:

• Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries.

• SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION – Extreme consequence of error to worker and public.


• Exposure to hazardous equipment.


• Vision, color, and hearing acuity as specified in FRA regulations.


• Governed by a collective bargaining agreement with membership required which determines specific job duties, work assignments, and work locations.


• Regular and timely attendance at work.


• Work hours are irregular and will vary in length and schedule. Work hours will include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and shiftwork including nights and weekends usually exceeding 40 hours per week.


• Required to report to work safely on as close to two-hour notice as possible. Will include nights and weekends.


• Requires a valid driver’s license.


• >95% travel required.


• Wearing Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets


• Frequent lifting work up to 50 pounds and 85 pounds occasionally.


• Walking long distances over uneven terrain and on elevated surfaces and slopes.


• Ascends and descends steps and ladders to get on and off equipment.


• Working under Time Pressure to meet strict deadlines.


• Working outdoors (Exposed to all Weather conditions). Exposed to heat and cold including extreme heat and cold, both natural and man-made and with equipment that intensifies the heat factor. They are required to work in a variety of weather conditions at all times of the day or night


• Exposed to Sounds and elevated Noise Levels (Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Education/Training/Certification: High school diploma or general education degree (GED).