Silly question time, is a ‘Conductor’ a driver in their own right or more of a shunter who helps Marshall the train if they have to stop and pick up/drop off wagons enroute?
@Kempy72 Not silly at all - In the US rail universe, Train Service workers are hired in as Conductors and, eventually, are expected to advance to loco engineers with the appropriate training and attainment of the FRA loco engineer qualification. I believe it is also true that if one does not or cannot pass the test for engineer, they will be terminated. Once qualified as engineers, they can be used as conductors, however, if the need exists. And yes, the conductor is often the one who has to get down and walk the train unless there is a mobile responder nearby (an employee in a work truck who can help throw switches or fix minor problems, based in the territory the train passes through).
Not silly at all - In the US rail universe, Train Service workers are hired in as Conductors and, eventually, are expected to advance to loco engineers with the appropriate training and attainment of the FRA loco engineer qualification. I believe it is also true that if one does not or cannot pass the test for engineer, they will be terminated. Once qualified as engineers, they can be used as conductors, however, if the need exists. And yes, the conductor is often the one who has to get down and walk the train unless there is a mobile responder nearby (an employee in a work truck who can help throw switches or fix minor problems, based in the territory the train passes through).