The Conductor receives orders from the Dispatcher and makes sure that the crew receives and understands them. During runs, Conductors periodically inspect each car. At stops they signal engineers when to start. Yard Conductors supervise the crews that assemble and disassemble trains. In many yards, they electrically control the track switches that are used to automatically classify cards on sidings.
Conductors start at lower level jobs and work up.
There were approximately 756 Railroad Conductors employed in Alabama in 1996. An average of 28 job openings occurs annually. Salary may vary according to location and individual ability. Conductors must be able to understand and use words effectively. Some railroads require their employees to have 20-20 uncorrected vision.