lately in the past months ive been learning about locomotives and such and i really like it alot,
is there any type of school u have to go to or what
i need help
No school, just hire on with one of the railroads (most class 1s have their own training programs and look down on the schools). You will start out as a conductor and work your way into engine service. Out here on the UP, a lot of conductors get promoted into engine service within one or two years of hire, sometimes sooner. Of course, just because you might become certified does not mean you will run engines all the time, you will likely still spend more time on the ground until you accrue seniority.
[#ditto]
Find the railroad you want to work for, and hire on as a conductor. All signatories of the UTU 1985 agreement (which includes all Class Is) require conductors to take and pass engineer school.
The current trend is away from the RR Academies. NS will not hire RR Academy graduates. CSX will, but requires you to go through thier training program anyway.
In addition, many union agreements prohibit the direct hiring of engineers, at locations where there are unpromoted conductors or engineers cut back as conductors.
Nick
Just like the above posts state, hire on w/a rr as condr, then as engr classes open up, you can bid on them and perhaps be awarded a slot. These are posted on division general notices that state the location and number of slots in the class that are open for bidding. Once one becomes a hoghead, you still retain your ground seniority and can work ground positions under certain conditions.
I did alot of research on the Union Pacific, and found out that all you need is a high school diploma. Then if they accept you, they will put you through a 6-8 week training program (but probably more) and you will start out as a brakeman or switchman. But if you want to go to a school there’s Modoc Railroad Academy in California.
For more info go to
Union Pacific: www.up.com
Modoc Railroad Academy: www.modocrailroadacademy.com
Hope I helped!
You know, it doesnt really make things look any better. Plus…it’s expensive.
Plus as far as becomoing an engineer is concerned, it’s a bunch of 100% pure BS!
Work really hard!! Study the rules,as for BNSF you have a 15-17 week training program where you will be a conductor,RCO operator,and a brakeman/switchman.after you pass your rules exams ( there`s 2 test the RCO and conductors ) Hold those extraboards and when you can hold a local ( you learn alot on those jobs ) and after a couple years or so go to the engineers program,never been there but I heard you have to study,study,and study,and the simulators are a real pain. When you hire out,STUDY! Not just the GCOR,the ABTH EVERYTHING and keep your SSIs and that entire book updated. Oh the oldheads will give you a run-for-your money! Good luck!
Keep an eye on the railroad’s website that you’re interested in working for, they usually post when there are openings. With all the boomers retiring now, there seems to always be work for train service. You could check out the schools, I know in my area (Twin Cities) a local community technical college has a course on railroading using actual freight cars donated by local railroads and a stretch of track. Part of the course is doing some interning on a real railroad. I’ve thought if I had the time it might be fun to do even if you don’t plan on a railroad career.
What’s is the starting pay scale for a conductor and Switcher? Once you pass all the test to become locomotive enginner. What is the starting rate?
When I hired out on Union Pacific they sent me to training on Chicago. ( I just applied online in the region I wanted to work) I was previously a railfan and had a pretty good understanding of signals and track warrents (thats pretty much all they use up here in WI) so the schooling wasn’t too hard for me. A lot of my class mates though who didn’t have any background had a hard time getting the concept of some of the stuff. Its a great job, I enjoyed it while I was on UP even though it was a short time. The only thing I have to say is watch out for the “higher up” people like the yard master, and be prepaired for the hours. Thats what did me in, I thought I could handel them better then I actually could.
If you choose to go ahead and do it. Good luck to you. Hope you enjoy it.
I think it depends on the RR/location and your overall senority. If I remember correctly.
What you mean the hours and yardmaster? What do we need to be ready for?
Can you give me an example of rates?[D)]
dose anyone know how easy it would be too become an engineer in the us when you are a curently qualified engineer in aust altho downunder where just called drivers?
you do have to go to a school to larn about the equipment you will be using
and learn about the rules, i would like to work for csx
Are you sure you want to work CSX? I was told that CSX is not employee friendly.[%-)]
there is not a carrier out there that is employee freindly, union pacific being the worst .
Dont worry about the rates, worry about accumulating money to survive training.
Now I AM curious about the rates for a Engineer and the Conductor etc.
Are you sure about Union Pacific? I read they had a great employee relations.[8D]