I would like to know how many of you forum guys are engineers or aspiring to be engineers. When I finish school, I’m planning to take a conductor program, and apply at CP. Any words of advice besides “Instead of talking on forums, do your schoolwork”?
Trainboy
I believe there are some career railroad people that hang out over on the Trains Magazine forum. You might also post your question there since not all are modelers and see this thread
How’s the schoolwork going, anyway?
Wayne
I’m looking to do the same for CSX. They require at least three years full-time work experience after high school or an Associates or Bachelors degree. I’m going for my associates in business accounting that way I have a fall back plan should the need ever arise.
Jesse
I R 1. But not the train kind.
Ex engineer. FEC and Chessie. Advice on a railroad career - think real hard about it. It’s okay to try it, but don’t be surprised if you’re disappointed. There was an article a short time ago in Trains about a guy that hired out in KC, then quit after a year or so and why he did.
Nice job, good pay, terrible working conditions. And forget about having any kind of family life.
I’d like to be an engineer. All the engineers I’ve talked to say they love their jobs, but they don’t like being on call 24/7, 365 days a year. I wouldn’t either. That’s what discourages me…
I work as an engineer/brakeman on a 35 Ton GE at a grain elevator.There is railroad employment news at www.railroad.net forums
Well, sort of… I run trains on a 15" gauge live steam railroad. (www.onprailroad.5u.com) Next best thing!
I assume you mean locomotive engineer. If so than I am not. However, I am a mechanical engineer.
One time I had an engineer complaining to me about how he never gets to see his family and how the toliets in the locomotives are always overflowing. Once a conductor told me did not have a day off from early December to mid April of the next year.
Isn’t that supposed to be I squared R?
I had often thought about becoming one, with growing up accross from a Conrail branch line trackage. then moving to Ohio and buying a house across from the Ohio Central Mainline, Then back to PA for Bussiness reasons. I guess Model rail Roading is as close as I’ll Ever get to it!
No, I R 1 (eye - are - one) is correct. Maniacal er I mean Mechanical Engineer. Licensed.
I was joking. A bit of electrical humor (P=(I^2)*R).
I’m a conductor ( amongst other jobs). Working for the railroad takes a unique person because railroading is not for everyone. A lot of rules and regulations and time away from home. You will never get to see your family, friends, or time for yourself when things are busy and you will be out the door every 8 hours with or without sleep. When things are slow you may work once a week and be eating hand to mouth if you don’t get furloughed. ClinchValley point out a very good article to read that was in Trains Magazine a while ago. I was giving this out to applicants and candidates doing interviews for hiring out on the railroad. Another thing to keep in mind is that railroads rarely high locomotive engineers off the street. You will most likely have to higher out as a brakeperson (man) and work your way up through the ranks. If you think you may want to work for a railroad contact your local railroad museum group or operating historical society. If you really are interested look into one of the shortline railroads the operate in your area and go from there.
I’ve actually always wondered what real railroad personell thinks about model railroaders. Do they think something like - those guys are crazy. I get paid to do this sh1t and still hate it and those lunatics would actually spend their own money on their trains [:D]
How about after you graduate HS save up your money and take the 8 week course at Modoc for Locomotive Engineer certification.
Yup, electrical engineer retired…but I also rode in the engine of an FP7 through Crawford Notch.
I’m planning to go to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
They have a good conductor course there, I hear. Ever since I went to Supertrain 2003 (The local model train show) I’ve wanted to go there. They’re a bit expensive, though, but they are only 10 Km from my house.
Trainboy
I have been an engineer for 12 years on a very well known northeastern railroad. For you guys and girls out there looking to join this crazy world, think long and hard about the following:
Negative Side:
- on call 24/7/365 for at least 15 years
- days, nights, rain, snow, sleet, hot weather, cold weather
- DANGEROUS WORKING CONDITIONS.
- Railroading is not Railfanning. True story; A new hire came up to me one day and with a very serious look said , “Some people laugh at me when I say this but you don’t have to watch out for me because I have a large HO railroad at my mom’s house and I practice railroading all the time.” When I was done laughing my a** off I proceeded to ask him if his model train ever ran over his foot so I could make sure he knew what to do when the real thing did it to him. Bottom line; 1:87 is safe 1:1 can be very dangerous if you take it for granted.
- Family life. If your here you ain’t got one. Divorce rate is better than 30%.
Positive Side:
- Pay. Where can you go and make $60,000+ and have this much fun.
- Retirement. You can retire at age 60 and it has nothing to do with social security
- People. You get to work with a majority of great people.
- Not stuck in doors all day.
So for you perspective conductors and engineers out there, think things through before you jump in.