Description
Supervise day-to-day train and yard operations across a terminal or territory, directing conductors, engineers, and yard crews to deliver safe, efficient, and on-time service. Plan train lineups and switching, coordinate with dispatch and mechanical, enforce operating rules and FRA compliance, manage incidents, and optimize crew and asset utilization.
- • Oversee terminal and road operations to ensure safe, on-time train movements.
- • Coordinate train lineups, blocking plans, and yard switching with dispatchers and yard crews.
- • Assign, brief, and direct conductors, engineers, and yard workers for each shift.
- • Monitor operating data and reports to detect delays, defects, or service exceptions.
- • Lead incident response for accidents, emergencies, and unscheduled stops; ensure track protection.
- • Ensure compliance with FRA regulations and company operating rules through audits and efficiency tests.
- • Review schedules, switching orders, waybills, and shipping records to plan work and meet customer commitments.
- • Authorize set-outs and pickups and the removal of defective cars in coordination with mechanical.
- • Validate consist accuracy, car routing, and seal integrity; resolve discrepancies.
- • Manage yard capacity and track utilization to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
- • Coordinate alternative routes and service recovery plans when obstructions or outages occur.
- • Verify crew qualifications, hours-of-service compliance, and proper lineup coverage.
- • Conduct safety briefings, job briefings, and coaching to improve performance.
- • Communicate operating plans and service updates to dispatch, maintenance, customers, and leadership.
- • Review and approve bulletins, general orders, and special instructions affecting operations.
- • Audit onboard and station procedures for passenger or freight service as applicable.
- • Record and report delays, incidents, and on-time performance metrics.
- • Oversee proper use of switches, signals, and protection procedures; correct unsafe practices.
- • Inspect yards, trains, and work practices periodically to verify standards are met.
- • Develop and implement continuous improvement actions to increase safety and efficiency.
Related specializations
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Available on paid plans only
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
