Suggestions please...

[Anonymous]

This goes to all the RR employees (and foamers too, i guess) about getting hired onto a class , maybe UP or CSX as train service. I've been researching this dream of mine for some time and all i am sure of is the required associates degree and basic requirments. Does any one have suggestions as to what else would look good on a resume? I want something to set me apart from the rest of the bunch and I am just finding out about colleges that offer conductor training courses and t,y&e training and the like, but would that really be of any help? Would I still get that training on the railroad? Are there any other 'out of school' training that i can do? I've been thinking about volenteering at a rr museum nearby as a brakemen, but are there other things I can also do? Sorry for all the questions - any help would be appreciated...

[daveklepper]

Work for a shortline railroad. Dave Klepper

[jeffhergert]

I work for the UP in Iowa (former CNW territory). Just the other day I was talking to an engineer friend about why a mutual acquaintance and why he didn't make it thru the interview.
My friend asked our MTO (trainmaster) about why he didn't get hired. What the MTO said may not apply everywhere but maybe it can guide you.
1. The main thing this MTO is looking for in an applicant is someone who is looking for a job. The UP requirements are 2 years work experience after high school or 2 years of education. They really like people who have worked in jobs like construction (out doors in all kinds of weather) or jobs with irregular hours or days. Someone who has a taste of irregular working conditions and won't quit after a few months.
2. This officer doesn't mind you being a railfan, but don't go overboard with this. Remember Item 1., they want someone who needs a job, not a photo opprotunity. This also may not apply to other officers. You could run across some who hate railfans. So on this, watch yourself.
3. Volunteering somewhere may or may not help, depending on how you stress it. We have a local tourist railroad that I volunteered at a few years before getting on the UP. I even qualifed for this tourist line as a diesel engr. To the UP it means NOTHING. So when I interviewed I put my experience in this perspective. I could tell the difference between a coupler and an angle bar, that I had the very basics and needed to learn a lot (which was true then, and after 5+ years your still learning. (When I was a student at a local area yard, the engineer on the job asked me if I had previously worked for a railroad. I said no, only the local tourist line. The engineer said that little experience showed.)
Again, you may come across officers who may hold this against you.
As far as the non-railroad sponserd classes at various institutions around the country go, I would think that should help, but still beware of the railfan issue. I don't know how other companies do it, but on the UP (at least on the former CNW lines) you will still attend railroad classes taught by railroad employes. (We have a class going on right now in our home terminal). The training procedure is set out in our agreements.
I have seen a photo-copied ad for a school, I think was in Kansas City, that offered training for train service, but only if you were offered a job by the UP.
It's kind of a balancing act. Trying to stand out enough that they hire you, but not too much that they don't want to hire you.
I hope this helps, good luck.
Jeff

[CShaveRR]

There's a thread about three pages ago, entitled "What's it Like, and Would You Recommend It", which will give you a bit of information on what you would be getting into:

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11765

Anyway, as has been said there (and on this thread as well), this job is not for everyone. The question "What are you looking for?" is more important than "What are they looking for?" Good luck!

Carl (a railfan who made it!)

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't it also be prudent to make it clear you're ready to relocate
as well? I've only volunteered, but from what I understand with the
class ones especially, you're likely to be required to relocate to
just about anywhere on the railroad away from where you live
currently when you're down the pole on seniority.

[wcfan4ever]

I too have considered a job in the railroading area. I am 18 and still in High School in my last year. I have taken many steps to learn more about the field including reading locomotive manuals, brake system guides and other reading material pertaining to the railroad. In my area, there is the WSOR, CN, CP, UP, and ELS. I'm sure the correct path to start would be the WSOR due that it is a shortline. Also, I have contacted Pioneer RailCorp and had direct contact to the CEO for a while and was told that he would be greatful to help me further my carrer in the railroading area. I'm only guessing all of this helps to get a job someday. But first, I have already applied at many local construction companies and have three years of construction experience in school and also some jobsite too. I always am willing to work in all conditions cause I love the outdoors so much. I know the railroaders life is not good, but for me, it's all I really know.

Dave