A heritage remembered, a future built

By Brett Willi, Senior Communications Manager

Brad Conrad’s journey as a fourth-generation railroader and how his family’s commitment shapes community, innovation, and the future of railroading.

Step inside the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and you’ll find more than the hum of machinery and the clang of tools. You’ll find stories that stretch across generations. Among them is Brad Conrad, a machinist for 32 years, whose family’s connection to the industry began long before he ever set foot in the shop.

Brad, a skilled machinist, has worked in many departments at Juniata — including the brake shop, wheel shop, overhaul line, engine line, test shed, and maintenance — with the past 11 years dedicated to the truck shop.

Before joining the railroad, Brad spent three years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic. While considering his next steps, he received encouragement from his father. “I didn’t know much about the railroad at first,” he recalls, “but my dad assured me I could learn.” Brad soon began his career at Juniata, starting with Conrail and continuing there after NS’ acquisition.

More than three decades later, Brad continues to proudly carry his family’s legacy forward.

At the Juniata Truck Shop, craft employees combine deep-rooted knowledge with cutting-edge innovation to keep freight moving for decades to come.

Guiding others in the truck shop

As a seasoned leader, Brad starts each day with safety briefings and team meetings, ensuring everyone is prepared for the work ahead. He oversees the production and overhaul of locomotive trucks, coordinates job assignments, manages payroll and materials, and supports his team in delivering quality work.

“We build several different style trucks here at Juniata,” Brad explains, “and I make sure everything’s set up and all the work is there for them to do.” His leadership and attention to detail help keep the shop running smoothly and safely.

Family legacy

Brad’s approach to leadership is shaped by the generations who came before him. He is a fourth-generation railroader, following in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather “Pappy” Conrad, a brakeman; his great-grandfather William Conrad, an engineer; and his grandfather Kenneth “Ken” Conrad, also an engineer. On his mother’s side, his grandfather Joe Chirdon Sr. was a laborer, and his grandmother Ann contributed to the railroad effort during World War II.

Left: Joe Sr. and Ann Chirdon; Right: Ken Conrad checks the controls inside Unit 6115’s cab in January 1977. 

Beyond these pillars of his family’s railroading story, Brad is surrounded by many other relatives — past and present — who have found their calling on the railroad, each adding to a tradition of hard work and pride that continues to shape his approach today.

Brad’s childhood is filled with vivid memories that bring the family’s railroading legacy to life. “I can remember my grandfather, Joe, walking home from the shops with his lunch barrel. We’d wait for the whistle to blow at the end of the shift, then sit on the porch and watch him come up the road.”

For Brad, these moments are deeply meaningful because railroading allowed his family to stay close-knit and rooted in their community. “I think it just keeps the family together. You’re not spread across different states. It was a good job, and they let everybody do what they needed to do, raise families, and it’s just a better place to live when you have family close by,” he reflects.

Tradition meets purpose

While the industry has evolved, Brad sees a throughline connecting past and present. “The traditions of the railroad have been modernized, but it’s still the same product that everybody can be proud of, it’s the same tradition.”

At Juniata, Brad has witnessed firsthand how innovation and standardization — like truck kits and advanced locomotive diagnostics — build on a foundation of craftsmanship and care.

For Brad, being part of a multi-generational railroading family means more than just a career. “Most of all, it makes me feel proud about how my family had a part of making something great for the local community and the railroad. I think the railroad and the tradition we’ve built will be here for many years to come.”

“Railroading can be a rewarding career,” he shared. “My job has given me and my family a good life. It’s given my family a past, present and future that we can be proud of.”

Roots and roles: Conrad and Chirdon families

Conrad family:

• “Pappy” Conrad, Brakeman (great-great-grandfather, retired)
• William Conrad, Engineer (great-grandfather, retired)
• Kenneth “Ken” Conrad, Engineer (grandfather, retired)

Chirdon family:

• Joe Chirdon Sr., Laborer (grandfather, retired)
• Ann Chirdon, WWII shop worker (grandmother)
• Joe Chirdon Jr., Boilermaker (uncle, retired)
• Robert “Bob” Chirdon, Carman (uncle, retired)
• Brian Chirdon, Boilermaker (cousin, current)

Brett Willi leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern, focusing on safety, compliance, operational excellence and employee engagement. He also oversees communications for Engineering and Mechanical. Brett joined NS in 2025, with 20 years of strategic communications, digital content and analytics expertise.