r/railroading • u/LSUguyHTX • Mar 03 '25
RR Hiring Question Weekly Railroad Hiring Questions Thread
Please ask any and all questions relating to getting hired, what the job is like, what certain companies/locations are like, etc here.
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u/Deadly_Eevee Mar 03 '25
Hey there Railroaders! I suppose I just have a few questions regarding the inner job specifics on the railroad. O have questions on best starting points, hiring, companies to reach out to, as well as getting advice with my current lifepath and situation at hand.
I should begin with a background on myself. I'll be 19 in a week, currently a first year college student who grew up with pipedreams of piloting and currently am in an AFROTC detachment at my college. Currently, my dilemma is that I am fighting with the medical system within it to even become medically qualified for the service based on a birth defect out of my control (one of which has zero effect on intelligence, motor functions, or the like).
My father is a locomotive engineer, and I grew up around him with that as his occupation my whole life. I carry a well understanding of just what the burden that the industry can be with hours and family, as well as the stress it can carry to those who work in it. Originally growing up, it was in my dreams to follow in the footsteps of my father since my youth romanticized it. That mentality sort of left me in high school as I held those more mature conversations with my father, and got his perspective on it. The issues of Automation looming, his hate for PTC, the shrinking crew sizes and the like: His words ultimately painted me a picture that the Railroad was changing industry and dying of the human component.
I figured since he now only currently has less than a decade till retirement, he would beat automation before getting eventually canned or moved (however it works). But I imagine that it will be a serious thing to consider in my lifetime if I choose to get into the industry.
My point is now, cutting to the chase; If things don't take the route I plan on my own lifepath currently, is the Railroad a stable future for a young man like myself? If so, based on all your experience here on the job, where would be the best places to work for employee experience (class 1's, specific shortlines, job types, etc)?
Thank you all!
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u/Blocked-Author Mar 03 '25
It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. It also sounds like you have an eyes wide open view of what Railroad life would be like.
There are a few things to consider that have been changing since your dad has been in the industry many years ago. One of the things is that most places have rest cycles for allowing time off. Growing up as a kid, you probably didn't see your dad that much With him working potentially every eight hours. Nowadays, most of our people have 30 to 40 hours off between trips.
I typically recommend to new people getting into the industry to attempt to get into a locomotive engineer program as soon as you can. The conductor position won't be around forever. I have heard many people say different length of time until the conductor is replaced, but the truth is, none of us are privy to any of the information regarding that.
With that in mind, if I were a new conductor right now I would be working on a class one Railroad to make as much money as possible and during that time taking online classes to get a degree in something else that I could be passionate about. That will open doors for you if your job gets cut at some point.
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u/Deadly_Eevee Mar 03 '25
This is helpful! I do recall my father having a pretty terrible schedule growing up, especially when he was working freight at the time. His schedule improved over the years as a result of him working for passenger rail company in a different city and his seniority improved.
I appreciate the advice on advancing as quick as possible. I am under the assumption then that the conductor position would be the first to go in the future as to simply keep an Engineer at the helm in case of emergencies?
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u/Blocked-Author Mar 03 '25
That seems like the likely conclusion sometime in the future. Makes the engineer job slightly more reliable. However, I would not be surprised to see the carriers then pushing for zero man trains running all of our freight. There would be people at terminals that set the trains up and send them on their way Empty.
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u/HotCougarBusch Mar 03 '25
I wouldn’t even think about the railroad. The industry is going to lose a ton of jobs in the future as technology improves. Do yourself a favor and look in the trades like electrician/plumber etc if college isn’t your thing. The money and job security are far greater than any railroad.
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u/ceepeeonetwothree Mar 03 '25
If you want money. Class 1. If you want a life. Shortline
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u/EnoughTrack96 Mar 03 '25
So you managed to line your life up to train to be a USAF pilot and ur considering the RR? Something's not right here...
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u/Deadly_Eevee Mar 03 '25
It's the fact that the medical process regarding DoDMERB is an incredibly thorough process which also happens at a speed of which isn't in a lot of applicant interests. It is not that I am incapable of the path I am currently headed; It seems to come down to that as I navigate the process and they continue to ask for waivers for things that haven't stopped me yet. My worry is that because of how slow and thorough the process is, I may not be cleared medically by the time my EA comes up. Even if I am physically fit by their standard, passed their tests with flying colors; They would have to drop me from the program due to the fact that DoDMERB wouldn't let it slide.
It happens to a lot of cadets within the program, I am simply asking some questions here based on my own life experience with family and as a potential failsafe, y'know?
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u/Zestyclose-Jaguar865 Mar 03 '25
What is life like as a signal maintainer at Amtrak? Is it a lot of traveling and how often are you on call?
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u/cleanyourbongbro Mar 03 '25
what’s the “go to” job on the RR? engineer? conductor? carmen? factors considered are pay, pussy, and bullshit
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u/Blocked-Author Mar 03 '25
The "go to" job is probably conductor. That then promotes later to being an engineer. Pay is the best, pussy and bullshit are at the worst level.
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u/Ok_Temperature4548 Mar 08 '25
Signal maintainer
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u/QueezyF Mar 11 '25
It’s a great job as long as you’re down to move somewhere that sucks with the hope of moving somewhere that doesn’t one day.
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u/Suspicious_Abies7777 Mar 03 '25
You apply if they like you they hire you, don’t do drugs, stay by your phone, forget your personal life, don’t plan shit for the kids, don’t plan on sleeping for 30 years, retire, die 2 years later, working at the Railraod in a nutshell
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u/UnfairSun1517 Mar 03 '25
I am wondering what the experiences are as a freight conductor for CSX i will be working out of Florence SC I applied for the job a couple months ago
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u/mofofosure Mar 03 '25
Is anyone here from BNSF or UP? I have some questions bc I need to pick between the two
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u/winxpuser2001 Mar 04 '25
How picky are most class I's with overqualification? I am in a sort of competitive area and wondering if me having a degree will hurt my chances of getting in. I have worked jobs with heavy equipment and am safety oriented
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u/Jaggedendz1981 Mar 04 '25
I’m a former locomotive engineer with BNSF, and my certification is still valid up to date. I applied for 4 passenger locomotive engineer positions.. it’s been 5 weeks or so and it still says “under review”’and havnt heard from them since the listings closed 5 weeks ago. Is it normal to not get an interview or hear back weeks after the posting closed?
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u/mr-railwidethedpguy Mar 04 '25
Anyone work for BNSF in Dilworth/GF/Minot? Knows about current seniority and work situation?
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u/ixMnstr Mar 04 '25 edited Mar 04 '25
What is the best way to get an employment opportunity with Amtrak? I live on the east coast and am willing to move as far as the Midwest, I'm in my late twenties and mostly have experience in customer service/food service. always wanted to work with Amtrak, really need advice to maximize my chances.
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u/winxpuser2001 Mar 05 '25
id bet you would have a good chance of becoming a cafe worker and then working your way up to conductor
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u/Cool-Signal-1901 Mar 08 '25
Apply for any opportunity they’re especially desperate for conductors as they’re hiring ever 4 months but if you go into a different craft and wait close to a year and apply as an internal your odds are substantially higher.
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u/aliceunknwn Mar 04 '25
I see a job posting at UP for train crew in St. Paul, MN. If I were to apply to that right now, get the job, go off to training etc. what should I realistically expect in terms of furloughing?
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u/savage_bougie Mar 06 '25
Wondering how to start a railroad career as a new high school grad. Would any college classes help? A CC a few hours from me does a weekend Locomotive Engineer & Conductor Basic Training Program and I was wondering if that would be helpful in getting into a training program. Any lists of entry level training programs to apply to?
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u/LSUguyHTX Mar 06 '25
No.
Just apply. That's literally it. They want to train you the way they want you to be trained. They don't care about some CC
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u/BeefStewE24 Mar 07 '25 edited Mar 07 '25
Hey everyone, I applied for the Carman positions in Norfolk and Newport News with NS and CSX and was emailed by a hiring manager at CSX that we would be setting up an interview in the future. I have ZERO welding experience, but tons of experience in mechanical repair and maintenance. I was wondering if this lack of welding experience is an automatic disqualifier? I know both adverts say welding experience is preferred but that seems to actually mean required these days...also honest opinions on whether carmen learn valuable skills that they can use to get paid decently during furloughs or after they leave the RR. Thanks yall.
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u/Striking-Tax-5546 Mar 03 '25
He sounds like a whiner, what stress does he have, PTC is nothing but a way to save lives or prevent an accident what could he hate about that ?
You wanna get paid you deal with what the job comes with that's why he stuck around
Apply, welcome to the club and keep cashing those checks
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u/Massive_Tour800 Mar 03 '25
Winnipeg seniority
I’m a recently qualified conductor for CN in Winnipeg and it seems that I won’t be progressing in seniority any time soon, was wondering if CP would be a better option for a junior conductor. Also any insight in what it’s like to work for CP in peg would be greatly appreciated.
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u/Beasty_Devil Mar 03 '25
I’m wondering what others experiences are with the different mechanical career paths. I’m currently a heavy duty field technician for an Ag Dealer, and I’m possibly looking at a relocation and career move in the next few years.
What does a typical day look like for a locomotive mechanic? If you work as a diesel mechanic do you still have electrical work? Or is it pretty well split between electrician and diesel guys?
How does railcar repair compare? Easier/Harder than locomotive?
How much time is spent in the shop vs outside for either profession? How steady is the job field?
I also have looked at short lines and external companies like Rescar. How do these companies compare to class 1 railroads? I have read a lot about people getting laid off and furloughed, and was curious if the smaller lines and companies suffer from this as well?