Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway | Brakemen​/Conductors; WLE

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway | Brakemen/Conductors (WLE-0063)

Brewster, OH, USA

Posted Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE) is one of the largest regional railroads in the United States and the largest in Ohio, operating 840 miles of track across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. W&LE runs 98 locomotives, moves more than 140,000 carloads annually, and supports operations through seven major rail yards and a 120,000 square foot locomotive and car repair facility.

The railroad serves over 110 customers through a diverse fleet of 1,400 owned or leased railcars and hauls a wide range of commodities including steel, petroleum products, aggregates, chemicals, coal, lumber, paper, and plastics. With connections to three Class I railroads, Canadian National, CSX, and Norfolk Southern, and fourteen regional and short line partners, W&LE offers flexible routing and competitive service options.

Founded in 1871 and headquartered in Brewster, Ohio since 1913, the company continues its long legacy with seven day a week interchange operations and 24/7 customer support, delivering dependable, efficient service rooted in both regional heritage and modern capability.

We are seeking dedicated individuals to train as Brakemen/Conductors
.

Duties/Responsibilities

Specific functions of the Brakeman/Conductor include, but are not limited to the following:

• Obtaining information from the dispatcher, yardmaster, or other personnel in person, in writing, or by communication devices including radio and telephone
• Observe, interpret, and relay hand and lantern signals, and they use radio communication
• Operate track switches and derails in order to change the route of trains within yards or on the road
• Frequently climb ladders on freight cars, operate hand brakes, couple and uncouple air hoses, inspect freight cars, and observe and monitor track conditions
• Get on and off moving equipment
• Ride moving cars by hanging on grab irons or ladders, sometimes for extended periods of time
• Judge and control the speed and clearance distance of cars
• Prepare required reports and read and interpret work orders and instructions
• Employees must be also able to sit for extended periods of time, reach overhead to lift objects, and meet hearing and vision acuity standards

Working Conditions

• Work safely at all times in compliance with all safety and operating rules
• Outdoors in all types of weather for many hours at a time
• Walk on uneven and irregular surfaces for long distances
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 85 pounds

Compensation

• Earn up to $33.21/hr. through a combination of hourly compensation, a $100 supplement paid weekly, and profit sharing eligibility after 90 days of fulltime employment.*
• * Calculation is based on a 40 hour work week

Brakeman/Conductor Training

• Classroom training
• 240 hrs. of on-the-job training
• After completion brakeman training, individuals are promoted to conductor
• Conductors are the primary source from which W&LE selects candidates for future Engineer training

Shift/Hours

• Full-time (40 hrs/wk)
• Guaranteed 40 hrs./wk. extra board
• Variable and irregular work hours with irregularly scheduled days off
• Employees work weekdays, weekends and holidays on an “on call” basis, 24 hours a day

Travel

• Travel is required
• Must be willing and able to work any hours at any location on the railroad in OH and PA.
• Current on-duty locations include Brewster, OH;
  Canton, OH;
  Akron, OH;
  Jewett, OH;
  Mingo Jct., OH;
  Medina, OH;
  Willard, OH;
  Spencer, OH;
  Norwalk, OH;
  Carey, OH; and Pittsburgh, PA. Employees may be away from home for days at a time
• Must be able to report to work two hours after notification
• May have to drive long distances to get to work; this travel is at the employee’s own expense. To see a map of our railroad, visit

Probationary Period

• 120 days

Union

• Brothershood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainman (BLET)
• Dues required per collective bargaining agreement
• Employees must accept promotion to the position of Locomotive Engineer
• Overtime work is required

Education

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company provides a comprehensive benefit package including excellent medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, railroad retirement, 401(k) plan, profit sharing, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid personal leave, and college scholarships for dependents

Drug Free Workplace

• W&LE is a drug-free workplace and maintains a zero tolerance policy
• Employees are subject to pre-employment and frequent drug and alcohol testing
• A DUI or OVI conviction within the last three years will disqualify you from consideration for this position
• All positions require pre-employment background verification, physical, and drug/alcohol screen