Do train conductors sleep on the train?

Two decades after federal officials identified fatigue as a top safety concern, the problem continues to haunt the railroad industry, especially the largest carriers responsible for moving the vast majority of the nation's rail-borne freight. “Engineers and conductors sleep on trains.

Do train conductors have a bathroom?

Other than a refrigerator/watercooler and a bathroom there are almost zero ammenities on a locomotive. Only way a engineer can go to bathroom is by stopping his train or if the conductor is a certified engineer he could run for while.

How long is a train conductor away from home?

Conductors work long days (anywhere from 11 to 13 hours, typically), they have to maneuver heavy machinery in sometimes terrible weather conditions, and they can't really plan time off for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. A former conductor told Reddit: “It is a career that kills marriage.”

How do train drivers go to sleep?

In the typical scenario, two teams of two drivers work alternating 8-h shift rotations driving the train. Specially designed crew-van carriages, equipped with sleeping quarters and facilities for domestic activities, provide accommodation for drivers during non-work periods.

Do train conductors make good money?

Salary Ranges for Train Conductors

The salaries of Train Conductors in the US range from $13,808 to $373,999 , with a median salary of $66,833 . The middle 57% of Train Conductors makes between $66,837 and $168,912, with the top 86% making $373,999.

Getting Rest, Working the Rails

How many hours a day do train conductors work?

Train conductors often work 40 hours a week. Both cargo and passenger trains run at all hours, requiring evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts. Pay adjustments for these periods vary depending on the employer.

How long does it take to become a train conductor?

Some train companies require new conductors to complete a 5-6 week training program--often offered through a community college or technical school. These programs often lead to a certificate in railroad conductor technology.

What happens if a train driver falls asleep?

The train stops automatically when there is no response

During this time, the loco pilot neither needs to increase the speed nor needs to apply the brakes.

Where do railroad conductors sleep?

Two decades after federal officials identified fatigue as a top safety concern, the problem continues to haunt the railroad industry, especially the largest carriers responsible for moving the vast majority of the nation's rail-borne freight. “Engineers and conductors sleep on trains.

Is a train conductor a hard job?

Modern conductors aren't merely strolling the aisles punching cards being held out by seated passengers. They're self-reliant, hard working laborers, responsible for the coordination and documentation of train and car movement, to include operating track switches and coupling cars.

Can a woman be a train conductor?

Out of a crew of more than a dozen, Wiese is one of three female conductors and engineers. That's a rarity in the railroad industry, where just 1 percent of such workers are women, according to the latest U.S. Census.

Do you steer a train?

Thus, the direction of the locomotive makes no difference to efficiency or safety. "You wouldn't drive your vehicle in reverse because it would be very hard to steer," Jacobs said. "Well, with the trains, there is no steering wheel. They're on those rails so the rail is the only direction of travel they can go in."

Are train conductors always on call?

He's pretty much always on-call and has to be ready to get on a train at the sounding of a whistle (or ringing of a phone). Since railroad employees can only work eight hours before they need a mandatory eight-hour rest, train crews often de-train in random towns and get nearby railroad employees to take over.

Where do train engineers poop?

We got going and I realized I had to poop. On most locomotives, the toilet is in the nose of the engine. But you're not going to do it there—you just don't want to do that to your mate.

Are there beds in a locomotive?

A locomotive bed is a one-piece steel casting for a steam locomotive that consists of the locomotive frame, the cylinders and valve chests, steam pipes, and smokebox saddle, all as a single component.

Do locomotives have a toilet?

In what will come as a major relief to these drivers, the Indian Railways will on Friday introduce the first locomotive fitted with a bio-toilet. The engine would be flagged off by railway minister Suresh Prabhu. According to railway officials, these bio-toilets have been fitted with various sensors and features.

Did train crews sleep in caboose?

Originally flatcars fitted with cabins or modified box cars, they later became purpose-built with projections above or to the sides of the car to allow crew to observe the train from shelter. The caboose also served as the conductor's office, and on long routes included sleeping accommodations and cooking facilities.

Where do train conductors sit?

The conductor is located in the rear end of the first car. When a train enters a station, the conductor opens the doors from a control panel on the appropriate side of the car. There are two separate controls, one set operates just the doors in the conductor's car, and another set operates the rest of the doors.

Why do train engineers sit on the right?

The practice of the engineer being on the right side of the cab relative to the designated front of the locomotive dates back to the early days of the industry. It was done to give the engineer a better view of lineside signals.

What hours do train drivers work?

Most companies operate on a 35-hour week. This could be spread over four or five shifts (known as turns) including weekends, evenings and nights. On freight or engineering trains, you would usually do more night shifts.

Why can t trains stop quickly?

Because of their size, weight and speed, trains do not stop quickly, even under emergency conditions. From the time the brake is applied to the time that the train stops, it may cover more than a mile of track. This means that even well-trained workers may have no way to avoid an accident.

Why does it take so long for a train to stop?

The distance it takes to halt a train in an emergency is based on multiple factors: the speed when the brakes are applied, the track's incline, the number of cars hooked behind the locomotives and the loading of those cars, the “brake delay” inherent in the train's hydraulic system, the friction-causing metallurgy of ...

How old do you have to be a conductor?

Railroad Conductor Education Requirements

Train conductor requirements begin by requiring that applicants are 18 years of age, have graduated from high school, possess a valid driver's license and can demonstrate two years of work experience.

Do train conductors get commission?

At present a Conductor gets a small commission on any tickets sold ( 5% ). Under the new role, commission will only be paid on full priced tickets sold.

How old do you need to be to be a train conductor?

The minimum age for this job is 18 years, and most companies look for people who have experience in other customer service work. It may be possible to start work with a TOC at a younger age as a member of station staff and apply for the job of conductor at a later date.