Conductor/Engineer - Decatur, IL

Overview

Requisition ID 33714 -Posted 07/16/2026 - Railroad Operations
Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference. Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco.
Here's what you can expect from Watco:
Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
Competitive compensation and benefits
Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center
Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
Career advancement opportunities
Job Summary

The conductor/engineer position will control and coordinate the train movements while switching railcars whether in the yard of a railroad, industrial plant, or similar location to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars in a safe and efficient manner to service our customers. This position is a manual labor role with an introductory training period to become proficient in the skills, duties, and requirements described below.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance
Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule
Read, write, and communicate in English and understand basic math
Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment
Read switching orders from designated person
Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews
Observe radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operate locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulations
Observe arm or lantern signal and move controls to move locomotive backwards or forwards to switch and couple cars; or receive starting signal and move control such as throttle and air brakes to operate locomotive
Read and interpret wayside signals, track warrants and bulletins, and railroad rules and regulations to operate locomotive, following safety rules and time schedule
Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched
Notify engineer of switching orders and which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, telephone, verbal or hand signals
Talk to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information
Confer with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains
Give instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars
May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations
Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well as apply and release handbrakes
Observe track to detect obstructions
Inspect locomotive after run to detect damaged or defective equipment
Maintain records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched
May coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower
Raise coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars
Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio
Connects airhose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force
May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains
Sits or rides in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members
May make minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs
May talk to Engineer via radio to give or receive switching information
Performs other duties as requested or required
Qualifications

Ability to pass training and required testing

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