... Locomotive Engineer qualification to retain seniority and employment). * Acquire and maintain ... Completion of College or Vocational or Technical School or Freight Conductor experience. What We ...
... Locomotive Engineer qualification to retain seniority and employment). * Acquire and maintain ... Completion of College or Vocational or Technical School or Freight Conductor experience. What We ...
Train Conductor
Sioux Lookout, ON · On-site
... Locomotive Engineer qualification to retain seniority and employment). * Acquire and maintain ... Completion of College or Vocational or Technical School or Freight Conductor experience. What We ...
Train Conductor
Sioux Lookout, ON · On-site
... Locomotive Engineer qualification to retain seniority and employment). * Acquire and maintain ... Completion of College or Vocational or Technical School or Freight Conductor experience. What We ...
... Train Control Engineering Manager to join our Global Rail Systems team in Mississauga, Ontario ... Experience with freight rail/mainline rail, commuter rail, metro and LRT signaling * Detailed ...
... Train Control Engineering Manager to join our Global Rail Systems team in Mississauga, Ontario ... Experience with freight rail/mainline rail, commuter rail, metro and LRT signaling * Detailed ...
... Train Control Engineering Manager to join our Global Rail Systems team in Mississauga, Ontario ... Experience with freight rail/mainline rail, commuter rail, metro and LRT signaling * Detailed ...
... Train Control Engineering Manager to join our Global Rail Systems team in Mississauga, Ontario ... Experience with freight rail/mainline rail, commuter rail, metro and LRT signaling * Detailed ...
Demonstrate ZOLLER solutions to customers in support of sales team Train customers and staff on how ... Prepare and send import documents to customers and freight forwarders for smooth border crossings ...
Demonstrate ZOLLER solutions to customers in support of sales team Train customers and staff on how ... Prepare and send import documents to customers and freight forwarders for smooth border crossings ...
DD&I and Civil Engineering Specialist
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product). * 5+ years of experience in railway construction projects * Local knowledge ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
DD&I and Civil Engineering Specialist
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product). * 5+ years of experience in railway construction projects * Local knowledge ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
DD&I and Civil Engineering Specialist
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product). * 5+ years of experience in railway construction projects * Local knowledge ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
DD&I and Civil Engineering Specialist
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product). * 5+ years of experience in railway construction projects * Local knowledge ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
Warehouse Worker
Kanata, ON · On-site
Electronics repair and Engineering solutions Salary: $24 - $26 Email your resume: hr@renrns.com ... Utilize courier/freight forwarder software (i.e. FedEx Ship Manager), as needed * Prepare and ...
Quick apply
Warehouse Worker
Kanata, ON · On-site
Electronics repair and Engineering solutions Salary: $24 - $26 Email your resume: hr@renrns.com ... Utilize courier/freight forwarder software (i.e. FedEx Ship Manager), as needed * Prepare and ...
Warehouse Worker
Kanata, ON · On-site
CA$24 - CA$26/hr
Electronics repair and Engineering solutions Salary: $24 - $26 Email your resume: hr@renrns.com ... Utilize courier/freight forwarder software (i.e. FedEx Ship Manager), as needed * Prepare and ...
Quick apply
Warehouse Worker
Kanata, ON · On-site
CA$24 - CA$26/hr
Electronics repair and Engineering solutions Salary: $24 - $26 Email your resume: hr@renrns.com ... Utilize courier/freight forwarder software (i.e. FedEx Ship Manager), as needed * Prepare and ...
Warehouse Worker
CA$24 - CA$26/hr
Electronics repair and Engineering solutions Salary: $24 - $26 Email your resume: hr@renrns.com ... Utilize courier/freight forwarder software (i.e. FedEx Ship Manager), as needed * Prepare and ...
Warehouse Worker
CA$24 - CA$26/hr
Electronics repair and Engineering solutions Salary: $24 - $26 Email your resume: hr@renrns.com ... Utilize courier/freight forwarder software (i.e. FedEx Ship Manager), as needed * Prepare and ...
Installation Engineering Specialist
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product) * 8+ years of experience in design, drafting, or engineering production ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
Installation Engineering Specialist
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product) * 8+ years of experience in design, drafting, or engineering production ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
Installation Engineering Specialist
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product) * 8+ years of experience in design, drafting, or engineering production ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
Installation Engineering Specialist
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$90K - CA$120K/yr
... Freight, and Product) * 8+ years of experience in design, drafting, or engineering production ... You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one ...
Supervisor, Maintenance of Way
Cochrane, ON · On-site
CA$91K - CA$107K/yr
... train operations (freight and passenger). MAJOR DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: * Plan/Assign/Oversee ... Minimum 5 years' track work or track engineering related experience. * Minimum 3-5 years' managing ...
New
Quick apply
Supervisor, Maintenance of Way
Cochrane, ON · On-site
CA$91K - CA$107K/yr
... train operations (freight and passenger). MAJOR DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: * Plan/Assign/Oversee ... Minimum 5 years' track work or track engineering related experience. * Minimum 3-5 years' managing ...
New
Supervisor, Maintenance of Way
Englehart, ON · On-site
CA$91K - CA$107K/yr
... train operations (freight and passenger). MAJOR DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: * Plan/Assign/Oversee ... Minimum 5 years' track work or track engineering related experience. * Minimum 3-5 years' managing ...
New
Quick apply
Supervisor, Maintenance of Way
Englehart, ON · On-site
CA$91K - CA$107K/yr
... train operations (freight and passenger). MAJOR DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: * Plan/Assign/Oversee ... Minimum 5 years' track work or track engineering related experience. * Minimum 3-5 years' managing ...
New
SAP Functional Transportation/Fleet Management Lead
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$99K/yr
We train our people on "new" SAP like SAP Leonardo, S/4HANA and Cloud, and we offer classes and ... We are seeking a new talent to join the SAP Software Engineering team. Responsibilities: * Lead ...
SAP Functional Transportation/Fleet Management Lead
Toronto, ON · On-site
CA$99K/yr
We train our people on "new" SAP like SAP Leonardo, S/4HANA and Cloud, and we offer classes and ... We are seeking a new talent to join the SAP Software Engineering team. Responsibilities: * Lead ...
SAP Functional Transportation/Fleet Management Lead
Ottawa, ON · On-site
CA$99K/yr
We train our people on "new" SAP like SAP Leonardo, S/4HANA and Cloud, and we offer classes and ... We are seeking a new talent to join the SAP Software Engineering team. Responsibilities: * Lead ...
SAP Functional Transportation/Fleet Management Lead
Ottawa, ON · On-site
CA$99K/yr
We train our people on "new" SAP like SAP Leonardo, S/4HANA and Cloud, and we offer classes and ... We are seeking a new talent to join the SAP Software Engineering team. Responsibilities: * Lead ...
$35/hr
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
$35/hr
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
$35/hr
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
$35/hr
... with train dispatchers and engineers, ensuring work groups are clear of limits during train ... freight railroad * Employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment and ...
Freight Train Engineer information
See Ontario salary details
$10.34 - $18.03
11% of jobs
$18.03 - $25.72
14% of jobs
$26.68 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$25.72 - $33.41
6% of jobs
$33.41 - $41.11
6% of jobs
$41.11 - $48.80
6% of jobs
$48.80 - $56.49
6% of jobs
The median wage is $56.79 / hr.
$56.49 - $64.18
14% of jobs
$69.95 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$64.18 - $71.88
16% of jobs
$71.88 - $79.57
8% of jobs
$79.57 - $87.26
7% of jobs
$87.26 - $94.95
5% of jobs
$10
$53
$94
How much do freight train engineer jobs pay per hour?
What are some typical challenges faced by freight train engineers on the job?
Freight Train Engineers often face challenges such as operating trains in various weather conditions, adhering to strict timetables, and responding quickly to equipment or track issues that arise en route. They must remain vigilant for unexpected obstacles or signals and comply with complex safety regulations at all times. Additionally, engineers frequently work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, which can affect work-life balance. Despite these challenges, the role offers an engaging environment with strong teamwork and opportunities for advancement into supervisory or training positions.
What is a freight train engineer?
A Freight Train Engineer operates and controls freight trains, ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of goods. They monitor train speed, track signals, and mechanical systems while following safety regulations and schedules. Engineers communicate with dispatchers and rail yard personnel to coordinate movements and handle emergencies. This role requires extensive training, certification, and knowledge of rail systems, mechanical functions, and safety protocols.
How do you become a freight train engineer?
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freight train engineer, and why are they important?
To succeed as a Freight Train Engineer, you need strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent, often supplemented by a federally mandated locomotive engineer certification. Familiarity with train control systems, safety protocols, and electronic logging devices is essential for operating and navigating freight locomotives safely. Excellent situational awareness, clear communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are key soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe train operation, adherence to schedules, and effective responses to unexpected challenges on the rail.
What does a freight train engineer do on a freight train?

Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement
Re-posted 6 days ago
Canadian National Railway rating
7.5
Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
136th of 360 rated logistics
Job description
At CN, we are committed toour pursuit of excellence. We take pride in delivering work of the higheststandard, continually innovating to shape the railroad of the future. Asresponsible railroaders, we make the right decisions every time, putting safetyfirst, acting with unwavering integrity, and holding ourselves accountable forour actions. We believe in succeeding together-by fostering inclusivity andcollaboration, we sustainably deliver exceptional results for our customers.
If you enjoy workingoutdoors in a safety-focused environment, a rewarding career as a TrainConductor might be right for you! With a dynamic 24/7 schedule, no two daysworking look alike. You can expect exciting challenges, paid training, andsupportive colleagues who share your passion for motion. The careers we offerare meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us and get your careermoving!
The Train Conductor acts as a member of a 2 or 3-person train crew and performs duties associated with the movement of trains, rail cars, and locomotives in rail yards and on the road. The incumbent coordinates the assembly of trains and completes any ground-work outside the locomotive cab while in the yard or on-route (operating track switches, picking up rail cars and making emergency repairs).
Major Responsibilities- Ensure compliance with all train orders, signals, railroad rules and regulations related to safety and operations.
- Provide and receive various forms of oral and printed instructions concerning the movement and placement of rail cars.
- Assemble and dismantle trains in the rail yard, and pick up and set off rail cars on-route.
- Observe, interpret, and relay signals to ensure safe train and locomotive movement.
- Operate track switches to change locomotive and rail car routes.
- Inspect the condition of a train and equipment.
- Make effective decisions when in unfamiliar locations or emergency situations.
- Communicate effectively with the Rail Traffic Control center, other train crews and other departments on a regular basis via handheld radio.
- Work a flexible schedule with regular and predictable attendance, in line with the 24/7 railroading environment.
- Available to work night shifts, weekends, holiday work hours, some overtime and being away from home for extended periods of time when required.
- Push, pull, lift and carry up to 90 pounds.
- Primarily work outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions.
- Operate various devices on rail cars and locomotives, such as uncoupling levers and handbrakes.
- Climb on and off ladders of rail cars.
- Grasp and hold objects while riding the side of a train.
- Walk for frequent extended periods.
- Bend, stoop, squat, and kneel frequently.
- Meet medical fitness requirements for the position, including those established by the Railway Association of Canada, such as the ability to recognize and distinguish between the colours of signals.
- High School Diploma or equivalence.
- Write and pass safety and rules exams (as per Collective Agreement, subsequent required Locomotive Engineer qualification to retain seniority and employment).
- Acquire and maintain Conductors Rule Card.
- A valid passport allowing entry and re-entry to the Canada and the United States (location-specific).
- Proficiency in both oral and written communications (English / French per location).
- Relevant work experience in similar working conditions or regulatory and safety environment.
- Completion of College or Vocational or Technical School or Freight Conductor experience.
- Competitive Wages, Benefits, and Pension Plan
- Paid Training and Career Development
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- 24/7 Telemedicine Service
- Employee Share Investment Plan
- Educational Financial Assistance Program
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Extensive Employee Discount Program
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
This position is a unionized position, as such pay and benefits are governed by the applicable Collective Agreement.
Paid Training:Newly hired CN Conductors participate in a comprehensive paid training program at the CN Campus (Winnipeg, MB). Expenses related to transportation, accommodation and meals while at Campus are covered by CN.
Successful completion of the entire training program, including written exams, physical assessments, and field training, is required to work as a CN Conductor.
Paid Training Structure:
- 9 - 10 weeks* at CN Campus (classroom training & exams)
- 11+ weeks* at CN Home Terminal (on-the-job training & qualifying trips)
* The specific number of weeks spent in training will depend on the requirements of the terminal and union agreement.
Successful Candidate Process:
- Medical assessment (including drug, hearing, and vision)
- Criminal background check
- Offer Letter
What Canadian National Railway employees say
Pay
Benefits
Hours and flexibility
Workplace
Get the full story on Breakroom
About Canadian National Railway
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Rail transportation
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
West Montreal, QC, CA