ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Freight conductor

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen a passenger train stop at a station? Yes? Well, the train conductor is like the captain of the ship, except for trains. They are responsible for making sure passengers are safe and that the train runs on time.

But sometimes, instead of passengers, trains carry cargo like boxes of toys, bags of coffee beans, or even cars! And that's where the freight conductor comes in.

The freight conductor is like a captain for a cargo train. They make sure that all the cargo is loaded safely and securely on the train. They check to make sure that the engine and cars are hooked up correctly, and that the brakes are working properly.

Once the train starts moving, the freight conductor stays in contact with the engineer (the person who drives the train). They work together to make sure the train is going the right speed and that it makes stops at the right places to pick up or drop off more cargo.

The freight conductor also has other important jobs, like making sure that the train follows all the safety rules and that the cargo is carrying is legal. Sometimes, they will have to fill out paperwork or talk to other people who are involved in the process, like cargo shippers or railroad officials.

So you see, being a freight conductor is a big responsibility, but it's also important because without them, goods and products wouldn't be able to make it to where they need to go!