Anyone know how I could get a internship with a RR? Preferably Union Pacific Commuter Operations, so I would like to know if I could go through the main HR or dose commuter operations have a separate HR? Please let me know thank you.
Get on the UP website, www.up.com, click the careers tab, search on internship. Plenty of information to be found.
Wilmette2210:-
Informally consider talking with some of the trainmen trainers at Union Pacific’s Larry S. Provo Training Center, 335 Spencer St., West Chicago. They can give you an overall picture of what train and switching service is all about.
As I understand it, the Union Pacific (ex-CNW) has basically two road trainmen seniority districts based out of Chicago.
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The old “Wisconsin Division” group covers the Kenosha Subdivision (Chicago-Waukegan/Kenosha (freight & passenger) plus Racine & Milwaukee (freight). That same seniority district also covers the “New Line” between Proviso and Milwaukee plus the Harvard Subdivision (Chicago-Harvard/McHenry (freight & passenger) plus Harvard-Janesville (freight).
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The old “Illinois Division” group covers Chicago-Elburn (freight & passenger), Proviso-Clinton, Iowa (freight), and the Belvidere Subdivision (West Chicago - Freeport and a little beyond). I’m pretty sure they also have seniority rights between Nelson and South Pekin, Ill. Oddly enough, they may also “own” the little bit of freight work that exists between Crystal Lake and Richmond(?) or Ringwood(?) north of McHenry.
I’m not sure who “owns” the work around Elk Grove Village - whether it’s the Wisconsin Division or Illinois Division.
Proviso switchmen are just that. They don’t have any passenger rights and the closest they may get to “road work” is handling interchange transfers into and out of Proviso. The CNW side has no dual rights between switchmen and trainmen. </
The Illinois side owns the freight job between Crystal Lake Junction and Ringwood because that’s the last piece of the old line from Elgin to Williams Bay. They also own one of the McHenry scoot jobs for six months of the year. Elk Grove Village is Wisconsin work, IIRC. As for the New Line (Milwaukee Sub), the seniority district goes all the way to Adams. As for the CNW/C&EI split, I believe that’s all Chicago Terminal district work. As for any questions you might have, I’ve worked the Wisconsin side for 15 years now. I’m not sure of what you’re seeking in an internship. Hire out if you can. They will be seeking qualified candidates in the near future if they haven’t started already. If it’s management you’re seeking, my advice is look elsewhere. You’ll take a pay cut from what you might have been making in TEY service and your life is even less your own. Known too many who have gone that route and more than a few who have dropped out of it. But understand one thing: it’s a job! If you can’t separate it from the hobby aspect of things, you’re probably not cut out for it.
And that’s exactly what an internship is supposed to help a person find out.
Note too that lots of us have gained a job, but lost a hobby, in working for on or the railroad full-time.
- Paul North.
As long as you know when to separate the two, I do not really think that you lost a hobby. What you do off duty is your business. I suppose.
OK I would most likely be doing the clerical part of the RR (yard clerk, ticket agent etc,etc.) Not Train service. just an FYI.
Hey, here’s a novel idea. The Transportation Communications International Union probably has a full time office in Chicago. They would know what the clerical arrangements are with Metra staffed properties like the Rock Island district and with contract railroad properties like BNSF and U.P. I should think they may be able to sketch out a “big picture” explaining what you’re getting into. At least they could refer you to some union local chairmen representing each of those properties. They could provide a wealth of information to tap into.
Don’t overlook the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District either.
Not many clerks left anymore and with ticket machines…
Not saying you shuldn’t pursue those jobs, but I wouldn’t counting on retiring from those jobs. But anything to get your foot in the door (if that’s what you want).
I haven’t lost my hobby - although I do misplace it for months at a time. Maybe I’ll find it again this weekend, if I have off.
Oh I forgot to mention I have a LD (learning disability) and might at least at the beginning require a job coach. How this affect me in interviews and getting the internship? Please let me know thank you.