[Est.July.4.1776]

Originally Posted by Retro69

Okay I have another one....

For some reason I have always associated conductors with passenger trains. It never occurred to me there were conductors for freight trains. For freight trains I have always thought engineer and brakeman. So what's the role of a brakeman these days vs a conductor?

Where I'm at, on the rare jobs that feature a conductor AND a brakeman, the brakeman is essentially the conductor's b*tch, and the conductor is in charge, and responsible for all activities and movements made by the train. Brakemen are only used on yard assignments, and it's to assist in lining switches, applying handbrakes and things of that nature. They make the job a million times more streamlined, and can actually increase productivity by about 4x.

To your point, we are all considered brakemen AND conductors. It just depends on what assignment you get called for as to which job you work as.

EDIT: Once upon a time, the jobs consisted of a conductor, a brakeman (possibly two) a signalman (possibly two), a fireman, and an engineer. The two man crews we have now-a-days are the reason for the higher pay. Those classifications were sold down the river, and as they were, a raise here, a raise there... Just like every other industry, greed prevails.