I'm a diesel mechanic/machinist. I'm almost 25 and have been wrenching on equipment since I was 17. I'm currently working as a locomotive mechanic. To me being a diesel mechanic is very rewarding work, especially when you rebuild an engine block half the size of a city bus. Yes working on bigger engines and equipment can be more physical but I think its easier because of the size of everything. The torques are pretty out rageous, like 200 ftlbs for head bolts , 1800 ftlbs for Crab Nuts (these hold the head and liner to the block). Some of the torques are even bigger on turbocharged engines. Granted we have a machine that will torque up to 2400 ftlbs but using this machine is a a task because of how heavy it is. I can tell you I do love my job. Coworkers and people I work for on the side love to work I do, I'm not one to talk myself up either but being as young as I am I feel I've been around alot of machines most people might not ever get to work on or see. Now the pay is ok, we are union but don't make as much as the IUOE or Teamsters mechanics do. No choice either with thye union thing, most RR's are. They make about 5 -10 more an hr than us. We're about 23 an hr right now. We do have an awesome retirement plan, we pay into it and not in to social security. I'll be able to hang it up at 60 a get full retirement too. I'll make more money on my railroad retirement per month than a person collecting SS. I have a good 401K and the pension from the steel company that owns us. Our insurance isn't too pricey but we do pay for some. Its not a bad job to have, even with having a lesser pay than the other unions.