One thing I’d add to the “get your foot in the door” mentioned earlier, is first off, get a job with a railroad. ANY railroad! Don’t try to decide from outside which one is the best for you, just get a job and get training and experience. You can always change later.
Not sure about Canada, but in the US railroaders pensions (and sick leave and some other benefits) are thru the US Railroad Retirement Board, a federal agency created by FDR. You could work for a dozen railroads in your career, and you’d still be paying into the same RRB pension (unless/until you went into management, then you’d be covered by the railroad’s pension plan. If you’re promoted mid-career, you could qualify for a pension from both RRB and the railroad.)
Find out which railroad(s) are hiring and attend any ‘job fairs’ they may hold. Don’t have a record of drinking or drugs in your personal background. Do what you are told to do, when you are told to do it. Don’t have a history of being injured. Railroads know about those who only hire out to get injured during the ‘probationary’ period and then sue the company for a PI settlement. Don’t be surprised if preference is given to candidates form either sex who are married with a family to support.
Amongst new hires there are no guarantees - it is real world and real life.