Engineer Training/Certification

[Anonymous]

Just wondering what if any options are available for someone interested in becoming a locomotive operator.

Thanks, Robert

[Anonymous]

The brotherhood of locomotive engineers has a great website that has the qualifications for becoming an engineer at www.ble.org/info/engineer.asp

[thirdrail1]

Robert, you don't even have to leave this website! Click on "Find Classified Ad" at your left. When you get the classified ad page, scroll down to the "Employment" category (it's way down) and you will find ads for three schools that offer locomotive engineer certification! The click on those ads to see if what they offer interests you.

[Anonymous]

Hello Robert...It might be best if you hired on to a Class 1 R.R. first. If you went through the training, you would probably not have met an individual R.R.'s other requirements. One example is that most lines want you to now start out as a Switchmen, take a rules exam and pass-- and eventually, you would be required to enter the Engineer's Program at R.R. expense of course. If you came to be hired by a Co. like the B.N.S.F., with Engineer Training etc., the guy or gal who hired one day before you, would have seniority over you even though they had not yet taken the course. They would then go through the natural progression of becoming an Engineer, and be ahead of you in seniorty as an Engineer! This may sound a little confusing, but with the way Union's work, you might want to check this out. And get in writing from the R.R.'s, any promises they may give you regarding these proceedures...Good Luck...Bruce

[Anonymous]

Well Bob, the railroads wont hire you as an engineer, unless you have a year behind the trottle. Dont waist your time going to a engineer traing school. The railroads will hire you as a conductor, after you go to one of there chosen schools.Contact the railroad you are interested in working for and ask them there requirments.

[Anonymous]

I was just hired as a conductor for the I.C.railroad. It is kind of difficult because you are up against many people for just a handful of jobs. You must be willing to work for a couple years as a conductor/brakeman before you will be considered for becoming a licensed engineer. Although it is mandatory for most conductors to become engineers(on most railroads). Good Luck on becoming a trainman.-Jeff

[wabash1]

one more thing to consider is that with the guys who have worked up thru the ranks and went to school and become an engineer, the rank and file would not like it that someone off the street come in with a paper stating they are qualified would not let you work for the railroad. they would blackball you from the union and without being a union member you wont work for that railroad. it may be harsh but it is a fact.

[thirdrail1]

The majority of those replying to you are making the assumption that you want to work for a Class I carrier, and in that case what they are telling you is the truth. But, the short line industry operates almost 20 percent of the trackage in the USA and many industries (hundreds) also operate their own locomotives within their plants. If you work for a short line or an industry, your pay won't be nearly as high. but the hours will be a heck of a lot better. Some of these will accept a certification from one of the schools offering such courses.