Does anyone know anything about these jobs. I've done a little bit of research and from what I can tell thus far is apply everywhere. This is what I'm going to do when I get out of the military. So my question is what is life like on a train crew. How's the pay? If someone can explain the union that would be great also. Military doesn't really believe in that sort of thing. I'm not to picky about living anywhere. I'm not worried about shift work. I work from 4pm to 4am, and next week it goes back to 4am to 4pm. I just want a job where I'm outside a lot and get to go places.

Aaron

 

An old shipmate of mine got out of the navy about 10 years ago and became a train engineer. He likes the job ... pays very well where he is at. He's at the point in life where he doesn't have to ask how much it costs any more ... which is nice. His schedule is completely screwed though ... me being a married guy with kids, I couldn't see it working for me, although many people with families do.

From what I got from him was that if you apply and get the call to come to work for the railroad, they send you to a training location (paid the whole time) and you learn your trade ... gotta work your way up through conductor then engineer). After that they tell you where you are needed based on your seniority in the company. Low man on the totem pole gets the spots where the old-heads don't want to go. After you build seniority, you get to apply to transfer to someplace that you do want to go ... and as long as you hold seniority over someone there ... they get sent packing to another line.

At least that is how it was explained to me ... I know we have a train guy or two on here that can correct me if I'm wrong.

You will get to see some interesting things though. Some not so interesting. My buddy said he was headed through some small town yesterday and there was some old drunk or crack head standing by the tracks, pants down to his ankles with his junk hangin out for the world to see .... arms flailin' just a wavin and a smilin' !!

Cheers,
PISTOL

 

My Uncle was an Engineer at the time of his death. He started as a brakeman and worked his way up. Your schedule is hectic.....can be called at all hours to work a shift. Pay was good. It is hard to get on though.

 

PM jwb600...
He is a conductor for one of the major Railroads.

From what I know:

Pays well, schedule is kind of bad, on call. Job can be dangerous.
Good job though...IMO

 

Can take up to 3 years to get on, depending on who you go to work for. I applied to UP last April, called me up at the end of July for a reading test. Passed that and it wasn't until January they called me up for a hiring session. Now if you make it through the hiring session, it might take 2 weeks or it might take 2 years before they call you to do training. IDK, cause I never went to the hiring session.

 

Great job, great benefits, you can make alot of money, but you will have no life. They have very screwed up schedules.

 

They give you 8 hours off after the last shift?

 

Best friend in Denver got on at first interview/hiring fair. He drove a cement mixer for the last twenty years and has a cdl. That helped. He's on a track crew and loves it, the guys, the money athe hours and benefits are all first class. He said he wished he got on 20 years ago and circumvented all the hassles of mixer driving. Good luck and THANK YOU for serving this great country!

Kurt

Kurt

 

I wanna say its 10 hrs. A friend I work with is an engineer and they only can work 12 hrs max and then I think they have to get 10 off before being able to report back.

SIXSLUG, honestly your friend is right. Railroad work isn't that hard, its actually easy. The benefits, mainly the retirement, are great. The pay isn't bad either. I'm glad I got into where I am at a young age. I work as a loco mechanic, not a bad job either.

 

I've been applying for jobs with UP and BNSF with no luck from BNSF, but UP approved one of my applications. They just need to notify me of when my interview is. I really hope to get it. I hate living at my parents house.

 

You get called up for the reading test yet?

 

Not yet, the website went to approved status like 3 days ago so they haven't contacted me yet. But I did do their practice sample test online and it was super easy.

 

4 months after I applied, they called me up for the reading test. Casper, WY (6 hour drive) was the closest. Then it wasn't until January that they called me up for a hiring session way the heck down in Laramie, WY (8 hour drive). I didn't go cause I was in the middle of my shift, and it would've been a whole 2 days notice anyway.

 

Hi, if you want a job at Amtrak, send a resume by fax to: (650) 330-2395Attention: Chris Sheppard. I have worked for Amtrak since 1995 when I left the military. We are hiring. Good Luck.

Brett, M/W Mechanic Foreman.

 

I am a railroad conductor thats true and I will back up what the guys have said. if you are the type of person you require weekends off to party, truck pull go boating you would hate working for the railroad without a doubt. if you want to work day and night and dont worry about that other stuff you would be fine. I would say apply apply at the major railroads like UP and some others. I know the local amtrak in Indy hasnt been doing to hot for years there is talk of shutting it down. the pay isnt bad but you have to put your time in too make money. the union im in would sell you for a penny to make money and the managers do have the attitude of they want to fire everyone and thats the truth. but if you want to work and can handle the weather and bad hours you will be fine. most of the time you hire in as a conductor then become an engineer later on in your career. if you do have more questions send me a pm good luck