recently i have been searching for a job (i’m 14 going on 15) and put in a couple of applications in here and there.
every once and a while when i’m reading things on here i read of teenagers and men and women who work for a rail road (from this forum).
i have qustions about that. how old do u have to be? were would i go to apply? what would i do there? what skills do u have to know? i have more qustions but have forgotten them by now lol.
any help will be appriceated thanks! =]
-jake
Bighead, You have to be 18 to work for any RR co. It’s like any job the more education you have the better the job you can apply for…Look at uprr or bnsf ,csx.com or any other rr co. and look at career paths…That will ans any questions you may have…Danny PS As far as I know the RR’s dont hire pt workers…maybe college students would be all |
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Jake,
You need to be 18 or older, with a high school diploma or GED. You must pass a criminal background check, and drug test. You’ll also have to take a physical exam, strength and endurance test, and industrial reading test.
Experiance working outdoors, in a 24-7 environment, or with heavy equipment is a plus. Railroad’s love ex-military people, as they’re already accustomed to the work environment, and top-down command structure.
CSX and NS hire exclusively through thier websites. NS does 100% of it’s training in-house. And within the next year CSX will as well. Don’t bother with a “railroad academy” unless the railroad tells you to go.
I’ve been a railroader for 8 years. Conductor, RCO Operator, Training Conductor/RCO Operator, Yardmaster, and Trainmaster.
It’s a tough life. I’ve missed countless Birthdays, Thanksgivings, and Chirstmases. I’ve had rocks thrown at me, and been shot at. I’ve walked trains, in the dead of night, blazing sun, pouring rain, and driving snow. I’ve seen 2 co-worked injured so badly, they can’t return to work. 10 others had time-loss injuries, but have returned to work. And worst of all, I’ve buried one co-work killed on the job.
I’ve also made a lot of money. For the most part, I work with a great bunch of guys, who when the chips are down, will give you the shirt off thier back. We really are a family. And there’s nothing like the feeling of seeing the little kids waving as you go by.
Be wary of your reputation. Railroaders gossip worse then old women. [;)] Not everyone will know your face, but everyone, and I mean everyone will know your reputation.
You don’t have to kiss the Yardmasters, Trainmasters, and Dispatchers tooshies. But being on good terms with them can pr