A switchman for 11 years, Jeff Coriell decided to try a new role and become a yardmaster. 

Combined, the East and West classification yards alone have more than 100 tracks, so the job can be complex. 

“Knowing the yards and understanding the flow of traffic is helpful,” Coriell said. 

Being on a first-name basis with switchmen makes safety personal for him.

“Safety is a culture around here; we’re taught that from Day One that it’s the most important thing,” he said.

Coriell, who works the extra board, focuses on efficient movement; the fewer moves to get the job done, the less exposure the team faces. It’s one of the ways he makes a difference as a yardmaster and why he’s found his new job satisfying. 

Away from work, Coriell enjoys time with family and putting his carpentry skills to work while doing construction jobs on his house.

“Safety is a culture around here; we’re taught that from Day One that it’s the most important thing.“

— Yardmaster Jeff Coriell