At school I constantly hear “there aren’t enough diesel engine technicians”… apparently this applies to Trucks, machinery, generators, and marine applications, but how is the market for locomotive repair technicians? I go to UTI and am taking the diesel program, and when I graduate I plan to get a job at a truck dealership…but I want to move up to locomotive maintenence in the future…
Davo
Check out the Class I web sites for jobs; there are usually openings at several locations. Also, p.m. Randy Stahl and ask him – he’s the resident expert here and could advise you on where you might end up on the seniority roster.
Mechanics experienced in earthmoving and mining machinery are always in demand in remote areas, and the pay can be very good. Of course, it IS in a remote area.
RWM
And I’ll bet it’s HARD work…especially when you’re nolonger 20 something and the old bod starts to rebel with aches and pains. Hopefully those folks get top dollar…they earn it.
The mechanical crafts are a good gig!
I hired on the UP at North Platte as a Fireman Oiler(Laborer) just out of diesel school in 92.
After two years, I took an Electrician apprenticeship and got some more schooling paid for by the R.R. It’s shift work and you won"t see weekends or hollidays off for awhile but the work is’nt backbreaking labor. The railroad says"if it’s not safe, don’t do it" and they mean it. There is plenty of grumbling and moaning about one thing or another but, overall, it’s a good way to make a decent wage plus good insurance. I’d much rather be in a craft in the shop than out on the road just because of the regular hours.
If you are lucky enought to be close to a big terminal. Not up here in the "booni
Thanks for the replies. Yesterday I checked a some RR websites (Pan Am, MBTA, Amtrak, and CSX), and to me it seems my best bet would be to work on trucks 5-10 years, and then apply for the MBTA or Pan Am…
That shouldn’t be a problem. I live right between Billerica, where Pan Am is based, and the MBTA’s Somerville repair facility.
Dave
RTD here in Denver is advertising right now on the sides of its buses for bus mechanics and toy train, er-um light rail mechanics. This town and several others are within a year or two of getting into the heavy rail commuter biz which will require more help.
Get out now while you can! 30 years ago I listened to mom. She said be a truck mecanic they make good money. 30 years later im still looking for the good money. Im down on the Cape and the pay does not come close to the cost of living. Its a tough job and has a lot of draw backs. Its not too fun when your in the weather repairing some breakdown on the side of the highway with trucks and cars screaming buy at 70 MPH +. Manufactures come out with new fasteners all the time and your acount with the tool guys seam more like a morgage. Have you bought any Snap on or Matco tools lately? 10 years ago a wrench set cost around $100 now they are over $300. A good mecanic has to be able to Diagnose, be a chemist, an electronic engineere, have 3 wrist joints and 2 elbos in each arm. I was a dealer mecanic in central Ma. for 8 years doing nothing but engine overhauls. Not only do you deal with your service manager but also the customer. The vehicle you work on is his livelyhood. Its not like your car that you can rent another to get around. His truck is his life. Its not too fun seeing the look on his face when you tell him his crankshaft is scored and the inframe becomes a $30,000 repair. I got burned out on engines and moved on. Now every day is diferent but still tough working for a sand and gravel co.
Stay in school. Be an accountant or a banker or even a baker.
Pete
I worked on trucks and heavy equip. for about 7 years before going to the big iron. I am a Field Mechanic for a Detroit Diesel Distributor. On the railroad I worked on 645’s mostly, And I enjoyed it, but I missed my gas field equip. and the overtime. Stick with it if it is what you want to do, It is a good trade, with a road or otherwise
If you want to be a Chef the oppurtunities is there. The pay is great and the travel is awesome. If you could get a cooking job in the Amtrak train. You be bless…