73311 – Railway conductors and brakemen/women

Lead statement

Railway conductors coordinate and supervise the activities of passenger and freight train crew members.

Main duties

• Supervise and coordinate 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.
• 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.

Employment requirements

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

Example job titles

railway conductor · train conductor · passenger train conductor · brakeman/woman - railway · brakeman/woman · tail-end brakeman/woman · passenger train brakeman/woman

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.