I posted this on the Trains.com forum but you guys might be better to help me out, so here it is:
Hey guys, my name is Zak and I’m new to this forum. I’m 29, live in the Los Angeles area and I work as a purchasing agent for a builder/developer company. Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved trains, and the other day I was on the web and applied as a crewman for UP and BNSF for the fun of it. BNSF replied to say that there was nothing now, but UP invited me to an interview session. The area that I would work would be the Cajon Pass (A place that I’ve loved). This is a lifelong dream of mine to be able to work on the railroad, but I’m now married with a 20 month old son. My job now brings in a lot of money, and to start at the bottom of the pay schedule for the railroad could be a hardship. I’m sure you all know that SoCal isn’t the cheapest place to live either. The goal is to have my wife not work but if I join the railroad, she might have to work for the next 5 or so years, and we kind of don’t want that. But remember that driving trains is what I’ve always wanted to do. If someone asked the question: "If you could do anything for a career, what?” I would say, “Be Engineer.” So what do you guys think I should do if it were you in my shoes?
Zak
Welcome to the site Zak![#welcome]
Zak:
My feeling is that you should go for it, if you don’t you will be caught in the trap of wondering, and the “What If’s” for the rest of your life. You are young and now is the time to follow those dreams, and take chances on career paths to explore.
Go for it, and Best of Luck.
Sam
Thanks Samfp1943, I love your optimism. It’s been something that I’ve always wanted but have been scared of the lifestyle of being from my family, but when I see a pair of tracks heading off into the sunset, it calls my name. I sit at my desk at work daydreaming of being in command of raw power heading up some grade, then my feet touch back on the ground and I think of the price that I have to pay to live in Southern California, my native stomping grounds that I could never leave. Do I give up dreams for lifestyle? Do I settle for comfort and security with a better paying job that will only lead me to more daydreaming over time? Plus my wife wants me to stay put making the bucks. This is hard.
I gave up college to become a railroader. I may be on the verge of another life-changing decision. There were fears then, there are fears now. Whatever happens, I won’t indulge in the “woulda-coulda-shoulda” game once I make a decision.
What kind of “bucks” are you talking? Six figures? Then you’d probably be better off staying where you are. Some railroaders do make that much, but I can’t vouch for the effect that it has on their home life.
I say, “Go for it.” Money and income don’t mean a hill of beans if you don’t like what you do in life. A short term sacrifice for a dream is nothing compared to the riches of looking back at your life’s book with satisfaction. My Grandfather was a railroader back in the “early days” in Geogia. He urged me to follow my dream. I didn’t. I bowed to the conventional advice of friends and loved ones and sank into a “job.” I can never go back. You have the opportunity.
remember, the wife knows best. lol
One thing nobody’s mentioning is the uncertainty factor. First, you have no idea, generally, of where you’ll be two days from now or of what time (other than aproximately) you’ll be going to work. Then there’s traffic fluctuation problem. I bailed out on the Milwaukee a few months before it went under and hired out on the BN. First winter furloughed, No problem I expected it. Same thing happened when I hired out on the Milwuakee. About the time I had enough time in on the BN to be able to work all year around, Jimmy Carter’s recession hit and I didn’t turn a wheel for 22 months. So you’ve got two areas of uncertainty…the immediate day to day that plays havoc with your family life and the long term that could play havoc with your family’s finances.
I’m sure the money is good on either end. Its just the question of wanting an unfulfilling yet decent paying stable job versus following said dream while sacraficing stability. Hopefully your wife will be understanding and not look at you as being selfish for following your dream and putting your newborn and her second.
However, I can’t offer much advise as I am not married nor have kids so I can’t really put myself in your shoes. It should be something for me to consider. I’m 25, not married. lol. Good luck dude.
Spend as much time looking at the future of your current occupation as you do looking at the future of RR employement. Currently, RR is growing faster than housing in many areas of the country – but I can remember when the reverse was true.
Many years ago I had to make the same decision – and I stepped away from the railroad. I have had an exciting career in another industry – but I have also had time and money to maintain my interest in railroading.
If you want details - email me.
dd