How to Become a Railroad Dispatcher?

 

The role of the railroad dispatcher is to direct and coordinate the safe movement of railroad traffic. A train dispatcher ensures the safe movement of trains and the safety of freight and passengers from a central or regional location in the assigned territory. If you are interested in controlling the movement of trains, you can have a great career opportunity as a railroad dispatcher. But you cannot start managing everything straight away. You need to take the best freight dispatcher training and pass the certification exam to become a certified train dispatcher.

 

Skills Required for a Dispatcher

The work of train dispatchers includes giving instructions to trains, managing a busy schedule, and much more. You need excellent communication, reasoning, and analytic skills to become a dispatcher. You need to learn how to use different communication channels. You also need good computer skills as you must use the dispatching software for record-keeping and more. If you have good skills in these areas, the job of training a dispatcher is going to be easy for you. 

 

 How to become a train dispatcher?

Here are the minimum eligibility requirements to become a train dispatcher:

●        You should be above 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED

●        You should be 18 years of age or older

●        You should have a valid driver's license

●        You should be able to type 25 average net words per minute and be computer literate.

 If you meet all these requirements, you can enroll in a freight dispatcher training program and appear for the certification exam. GCOR, NORAC, and FRA are the top certifications in the railroad industry.   

 Once you have gained your dispatcher certificate, you can continue to work on improving your skills as a trainee to gain field experience. You will undergo several weeks of on-the-job training during the probation period. You have to go through training before becoming a professional train dispatcher. With experience, you will start to enjoy your job and aim to become a senior dispatcher.

 If you are looking for a good freight dispatcher training provider, you can contact RailRCS. Its training program helps you achieve safety and remain in good standing with the Federal Railroad Administration. Learn more about its classroom and certification programs.