It's been a while since I posted on here but have been lurking once in a while. Just wondering how many people work in railroading for their "Day Jobs"? My oldest son,19, after doing a year at a university and not enjoying it that much, is now about 1/2 way through the Railway Conductor Program at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology), and so far he is loving it. They usually do 4 days in class and Fridays are usually "yard days" where they work on the schools locomotive and rolling stock. They will be going to do a practicum in a couple of weeks on Vancouver Island and CP is coming to do interviews in June and CN will be as well but not scheduled yet. They have a very high emplyment rate from the program. It's primarily for conductors but it also opens the way for other jobs with the railways such as RTC etc...
If you cannot fix it with a hammer;
You have an electrical problem!
I know a kid that wants to be an engineer. I sent him to talk to a couple I know and they both make around $150,000 a year with overtime. I didn't go beyond High School and did really well. If you want to work long hard hours the money can be almost obscene.
http://www.glassdoor.ca/Salary/Canadian-Pacific-Railway-Salaries-E13514.htm
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
There are lots of career railroadmen on the TrainOrders forum and a few on the YahooGroups RR specific email lists. As a kid, I wanted to be a train engineer but my parents insisted I go to college. Ended up with two degree's (BS and MS) in Geology but got tired of always being out of town and in the field. I imagine being an engineer is similar, always out of town, but sounds like the pay is better.
After hearing a lot of engineers talk about their jobs, it sounds like it's only a matter of time before your engine hits a truck or car at a grade crossing. Many talk about how they can never get it out of their heads the aweful feeling of being on an engine which killed someone - not that there is anything you can do but watch it unfold. Trains can't stop on a dime, nor can you steer them to the right or left to avoid the car that decided to get infront of your engine.
I've honestly never heard of super high paying jobs as train engineers. Must be they pay alot more up there in the great white north?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Here's the dark side..Railroading takes a toll on your life and there is hardships.Railroading is a harsh and unforgiving job that does not suffer fools or carelessness.One mindless mistake can cost you one or two limbs or your life.
In exchange for the money you make your life will change in many ways.
I never seen my son's first RIB or his first stolen base nor did I see him play high school football.Never seen my daughter as a cheerleader..Missed family holidays,birthdays anniversaries.Ate greasy food at the RRYMCA at my away terminal.Worked long hours on little sleep.
While I loved the work I'm not all that sure I would want to do it over if I was young and had the chance.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I'm an ex professional railroader. It can be a great line of work...can be. It depends very much on what you do. I spent 6 years as a locomotive electrician with Conrail. I worked five 8 hour days and went home everyday after my shift ended. That job stimulated my hobby of model railroading and railfanning. It did have it's serious downs though...sifting through the aftermath of accidents. Not some of my fonder memories.
After moving to Nevada, I went to the UP as a track laborer and traveled extensively. There was no time for a personal life...since the railroad is a lifestyle in itself. I left the job after 18 months. I 'intensely dislike' the UP now and am no longer a railfan, and even as a model railroader I can have very tainted views and perceptions.
In a nutshell. Working for the railroad takes a certain type of person...which I was not. For me...the money just wasn't worth it.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
I have railroading in my blood. I studied railroad history and terminology, trained myself to become a engineer and etc. Sadly the railroad doesn't want me.
But I still have railroading as a hobby.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
The demands of my job were similar to the RR. I did make a very conscious decision that there was no way I would consider getting married and having kids if I did it. I also started at 19 and in later years was often told I was the youngest old timer they had ever seen. Seniority was worth a lot in my job and having 20 years in at age 39 was just the best.
At age 39 I decided to take a position with normal hours and get married. With all that seniority I could take my pick of schedule. I was getting 8 weeks vacation my last few years until I retired with full pension at age 52.
I am now 58, My son is 16 and my daughter is 13. They can hardly remember a time when I went to work. My wife also retired 5 years ago. We travel a lot with the kids anytime they are out of school as we don't have to worry about getting holiday time. The kids go to private school, we live in a nice house and we don't owe anyone a dime.
The job was my life and because I worked so much, just about everything I made went right into investments. I didn't have time to spend it. It was a big trade off and would I do it again? You Betcha!
Becoming a RR worker or any job requiring the same commitment and hours requires a lot of thought before you jump in. It does require a certain type of personality and if you are that type of person I think the tradeoff is worth it.
You can have it all, you just can't have it all at the same time.
As a railfan/modeler/rail employee, I was asked how I could stand to have a job that was the same as my hobbies. My reply was always the same: They were entirely different pursuits. I worked for a modern railroad. My hobby involved steam locomotives and the infrastructure to support them, first generation diesels, active branch lines, passenger trains operated by independent owners who had distinctive paint schemes, RPO's, Railway Express, LCL, TT&TO operation, interlocking towers, jointed rail, cinder ballast, wooden ties (sometimes rough-hewn), semaphores, position light signals and CPL's, 40 foot boxcars, 55 ton hoppers, and cabooses on all freight trains. Mishaps in my model world are cleaned up by railroad-owned cranes (preferably steam powered), rather than by Hulcher. I'm sure I neglected to mention a bunch of other differences.
Worlds apart.
Tom
BRAKIEI never seen my son's first RIB or his first stolen base nor did I see him play high school football.Never seen my daughter as a cheerleader..Missed family holidays,birthdays anniversaries.Ate greasy food at the RRYMCA at my away terminal.Worked long hours on little sleep.
.
BigJim BRAKIE I never seen my son's first RIB or his first stolen base nor did I see him play high school football.Never seen my daughter as a cheerleader..Missed family holidays,birthdays anniversaries.Ate greasy food at the RRYMCA at my away terminal.Worked long hours on little sleep. Didn't anyone ever tell you how to "Mark Off"?
BRAKIE I never seen my son's first RIB or his first stolen base nor did I see him play high school football.Never seen my daughter as a cheerleader..Missed family holidays,birthdays anniversaries.Ate greasy food at the RRYMCA at my away terminal.Worked long hours on little sleep.
Didn't anyone ever tell you how to "Mark Off"?
And go to the bottom of the sheet since I didn't have enough seniority to enjoy a cushion job? I don't know about today but,marking off was frown upon by the company when I worked the rails--I only marked off due to health reasons.
BRAKIEAnd go to the bottom of the sheet since I didn't have enough seniority to enjoy a cushion job?
BigJim BRAKIE And go to the bottom of the sheet since I didn't have enough seniority to enjoy a cushion job? So, it was all about the money.Sorry, if you didn't have enough sense to mark off for some of the important things in life, I have no sympathy for you.
BRAKIE And go to the bottom of the sheet since I didn't have enough seniority to enjoy a cushion job?
So, it was all about the money.Sorry, if you didn't have enough sense to mark off for some of the important things in life, I have no sympathy for you.
That's a silly thing to say Jim. Brakie was working to support his family, not out of greed. Working so your kid has food and clothes is more important than seeing them play Little League.
Big Jim ---
I'm really surprised to hear that from someone with actual on-the-road experience.
ACY Big Jim --- I'm really surprised to hear that from someone with actual on-the-road experience. Tom
BigJim ACY Big Jim --- I'm really surprised to hear that from someone with actual on-the-road experience. Tom Really! I worked to support my family with five children too. I was there for the birth of every one. While I did miss a lot, there was a lot that I didn't miss. Sometimes you have to give up part of your paycheck in order to attend important or even simple matters of the family and also to recharge yourself. If I have any sympathy at all, it is that from what Brakie wrote, he didn't learn that lesson.
Really! I worked to support my family with five children too. I was there for the birth of every one. While I did miss a lot, there was a lot that I didn't miss. Sometimes you have to give up part of your paycheck in order to attend important or even simple matters of the family and also to recharge yourself. If I have any sympathy at all, it is that from what Brakie wrote, he didn't learn that lesson.
Jim,Don't know about today,but,back then if you marked off you may loose 2 days pay before they call you..Being low on the totem pole one thinks twice about marking off..Its not a matter of greed more then the necessary of being available for service..
As far as recharging..Wasn't that a old head thing for marking off because they was to drunk for service? If memory serves it was.. Maybe that too has changed since my days.
BRAKIEAs far as recharging..Wasn't that a old head thing for marking off because they was to drunk for service?
BigJim BRAKIE As far as recharging..Wasn't that a old head thing for marking off because they was to drunk for service? Nope! It has absolutely nothing to do with getting drunk. Everyone needs to get away from the rigors of the job every once in a while to recharge the soul, see their girl cheerlead, their boy play football or steal a base. That's why railroaders are able to "mark off".
BRAKIE As far as recharging..Wasn't that a old head thing for marking off because they was to drunk for service?
Nope! It has absolutely nothing to do with getting drunk. Everyone needs to get away from the rigors of the job every once in a while to recharge the soul, see their girl cheerlead, their boy play football or steal a base. That's why railroaders are able to "mark off".
I think providing a above normal living for my family was more important then goofing off time..I'm proud of that personal goal.
Railroading is or was all about the money if it wasn't nobody in their right mind would do that work.You know what I mean if you ever had boots on the ground as a brakeman or conductor...
Like I mention I enjoyed the work but,don't think I would care to do that again.
BRAKIERailroading is or was all about the money if it wasn't nobody in their right mind would do that work.You know what I mean if you ever had boots on the ground as a brakeman or conductor...
Done both. Money isn't that great once you figure out all the time you lose out here. Still at it, but I have my sights set on getting out. I was lucky to hold regular jobs early, but that may be changing soon. Hence why I'm looking for another way. Each new contract seems to get worse and worse.
Yes, I do have some models as well. Someday I will do something with them...
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
BRAKIEI think providing a above normal living for my family was more important then goofing off time..I'm proud of that personal goal.
zugmannI was lucky to hold regular jobs early, but that may be changing soon.
From what I understand the railroads would love to go to one man road crews..I was told this by a recently retired CSX conductor.Needless to say he's happy to be out of the "railroad game" as he called it.
BigJimI'm done with your whining BS!!!
Not whining at all.. Just stating the darker side of railroading and you took offense.
Coquihala and Rock CreekJust wondering how many people work in railroading for their "Day Jobs"?
It is said that, "BNSF means Better Not Start a Family."
BATMAN The demands of my job were similar to the RR. I did make a very conscious decision that there was no way I would consider getting married and having kids if I did it. I also started at 19 and in later years was often told I was the youngest old timer they had ever seen. Seniority was worth a lot in my job and having 20 years in at age 39 was just the best. At age 39 I decided to take a position with normal hours and get married. With all that seniority I could take my pick of schedule. I was getting 8 weeks vacation my last few years until I retired with full pension at age 52. I am now 58, My son is 16 and my daughter is 13. They can hardly remember a time when I went to work. My wife also retired 5 years ago. We travel a lot with the kids anytime they are out of school as we don't have to worry about getting holiday time. The kids go to private school, we live in a nice house and we don't owe anyone a dime. The job was my life and because I worked so much, just about everything I made went right into investments. I didn't have time to spend it. It was a big trade off and would I do it again? You Betcha! Becoming a RR worker or any job requiring the same commitment and hours requires a lot of thought before you jump in. It does require a certain type of personality and if you are that type of person I think the tradeoff is worth it. You can have it all, you just can't have it all at the same time.
I think you need to be a really independent person to commit to such a life, you also need to love your job and that I did. I really felt I had contributed at the end of each day.
Once I got a call from Canada Post, they had got a call from BC Childrens Hospital and had a kid near death waiting for an organ transplant. An organ had become available up in the NWT and could be harvested but they had no way of getting it down to Vancouver quick enough. We managed to get a corporate jet of one of our large resource companies that was returning to Vancouver with the top managers to bring it with them. I met the plane and was handed a cooler by the big boss himself. I told one of the guys to cover me and I drove it up to the Hospital and delivered it right to the OR where they already had the kid asleep and ready to go. That was my best day.
My second best day was when it was Christmas eve about 7PM. We had an L-1011 freighter ready to go and my boss came on board to find me. This kid (my boss) was a 25 year old from Quebec city and had not been home for three years. He was exhausted and missing home and in 5 hours had 5 days off over Christmas. I stuck my head in the cockpit and asked the pilot if he could take a passenger, he said of course. I took the kid and strapped him into one of the six passenger seats in behind the cockpit and told him I would cover him for the rest of his shift. He informed me that this plane was going to Winnipeg, not Quebec. I yelled in to the pilot and ask him where he was going? He said Winnipeg, then Toronto and then Quebec city. I told the kid that managment was where he belonged.
He showed up back at work after Christmas and handed me a big bottle of rum that his Mom had bought for me. That was why it was the second best day, I love rum. He also told me that if I ever do that again to be sure I pack him a lunch as there was no meal serice on the freighter. The crew threw him table scraps.
Seeing as how he had left with only his work cloths on, I asked him what he did about clothes. He said his bedroom was still just the same as when he was last home three years ago.
Obviously his Dad isn't a model railroader.
BATMAN I know a kid that wants to be an engineer. I sent him to talk to a couple I know and they both make around $150,000 a year with overtime. I didn't go beyond High School and did really well. If you want to work long hard hours the money can be almost obscene. http://www.glassdoor.ca/Salary/Canadian-Pacific-Railway-Salaries-E13514.htm
Some people get on without taking a program but their resumes have to shine for the HR person to see it. BCIT and the instructors put this program together for CN and CP. The kid you know should check into it if he's local. My son is up and out of the house by 6:30 every morning. Class starts at 8:00 and he usually gets there by a little after 7:00 to get ready for the day.