Railroad Yardmaster
Here is what the U.S. Department of Labor says about the position of the railroad yardmaster: Yardmasters coordinate the activities of workers engaged in railroad yard operations. These activities, which are also performed by conductors, include making up or breaking up trains and switching inbound or outbound traffic to a specific section of the line. Some cars are sent to unload their cargo on special tracks, while others are moved to different tracks to await assembly into new trains, based on their destinations. Yardmasters tell yard engineers or other personnel where to move the cars to fit the planned train configuration. Switches—many of them operated remotely by computer—divert trains or railcars to the proper track for coupling and uncoupling.
More information about the railroad yardmaster position can be found here from the Federal Railroad Administration. As mentioned before, if you have never worked for a railroad or know much about the industry please let me warn you that a career such as a railroad yardmaster is not for the faint of heart. Railroading is tough work and takes a dedicated breed not only to handle the physical demands required but also the mental fatigue, as working 12-hour, seven-day-a-week shifts is normal (and overtime is mandatory). While a more predictable work schedule does come with seniority, don’t expect it to happen within a short period of time. Some railroaders wait 20 years or more to land a “9 to 5” workday, which usually consists of working yard or local jobs. There is a reason why railroaders say that railroading becomes a lifestyle, its not just saying! Having said that, if you are able to hire on with a shortline (Class III) or regional (Class II) railroad the opportunity for a more predictable schedule is very likely although the pay is not quite as good. It should be noted that conductors are also called upon to do the work of a yardmaster so background training as such is required. For more information about railroad conductors please click here. In any event, if you're interested in searching for yardmaster and conductor positions in your area please feel free to use the search box below from Indeed.com, one of the leading online career resource guides.
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