Train engineers

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone.

I am interested in becoming a train engineer. How does one in this day and age get hired and become engineer? What qualifications do you have to have? I have a college degree.

As a woman, would it be harder to become and engineer and be taken seriously? Are there many female engineers in the industry?

Thanks! [:)]

[CShaveRR]

Karen,

Yes, there are female engineers, though the percentages aren't quite up to 50%.

There are also quite a few former teachers in railroading, degrees and all.

And I'm not going to tell you to "do it" or "don't do it."

But before you go any further toward this worthy aspiration, I would like to caution you to know a little more about what you're getting into. This is the second time I've done this for somebody today, so now I have two threads to which to direct your attention:

"Suggestions Please"
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11891

and

"What's it Like, and Would You Recommend It":
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11765

Do yourself a favor and read some of the responses to those questions from real railroaders.

Also keep in mind that you wouldn't be able to become an engineer for a few years--you'd have to become a brakeman, and possibly a conductor, first.

Carl

[Anonymous]

Karen,

From my very limited experience, as I have not actually started working yet. I know that for CSX any new hires start as conductors. After working for at least a year a conductor can be selected to be an engineer. Engineer candidates are selected from the conductor ranks and it is mandatory that they go to engineer school and pass or they are fired. From what I know, to take the road to be an engineer you need to go to a college or Technical school and be trained in basic railroading, etc. I am currently finishing up my last week of conductor school at AMDG. I will then have OJT for anywhere from two to four months to become a fully enstated conductor. One of my instructors is a woman and she is a great person. She became an engineer after one year of conductor service, so there are opportunites a plenty. You could call AMDG or a college that offers railroading and inquire. ANd of course this forum is a goldmine for information and perspective. Good luck to you!!!

[csxengineer98]

to become an engineer, you first must become a conductor.... at least with any major unionized railroad,you start out as a trainmen trainee, and you hvae to pass a test to be promoted to a conductor... then when your time comes..you will be called to report to the engineers training school...
if you fail to make the grade on your conductors quifing tests..you will be dismised... if you fail the engineers school..you will also be dismised....
when you pass the the engineers school tests and final exam...the LOTH test (Locomotive Opporations & Train Handleing) you then become an engineer trainee...
and you start on the job training.... you are assined to an engineer..and you work when he/she works... you learn the road..the physical terrain of the road...the location of speed zones... how to controll the train in complaines with singal indications and train handeling rules...after the time limets of the OJT, you then have to pass a writen test, and quifying ride with a road forman of engins...you get 2 chances at both... should you fail the writen test or the ride the second time..you are dismissed... if you pass... you are then pormoted to engineer...and your on you own...
most major rail roads hire 2 ways...testing and application sesions...or a conductors trainning school... best way to find the information out is to go to the websight of the rail road your looking into..and look at thier job page...
also..dont be in a ru***o get into the seat.... learn all you can when you are a conductor.. the longer you are on that side of the engin..the more you will become fimiler with the physical carictoristics of the road..and that will make it all the more easier on you when you start the OJT for engineer...
hope that helps....
what rail road are you looking into.and what state?
good luck
your going to need it..lol
csx engineer

[edblysard]

Hi Karen,
Cant add much to what Carl and CSXengineer posted, but just wanted to remind you that you will have to start out working on the ground as a conductor, throwing switches and tieing handbrakes, some physical labor.

There is no short cut to the seat box.

No real macho stuff, women can and do handle the job well, but you will be expected to, and exposed to, all types of weather.

Rain, snow, summer heat, the works.

And yes, you will have to put up with the sexist junk to a degree.

We have a lady engineer here at the PTRA, and she is one of the best we have, she can run for me anytime she wants.

Do as Carl suggested, read the threads, and do a lot of research, but if you want to try, go for it.

Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

Hi Karen,

A lot of my railroad friends have stated that the day they went to work for the railroad was the second best day of their life. The best day of their life was the day they quit or retired.

Be sure this is what you want out of life. Meet some railroad employees and get to know them, talk to them and listen to their stories and the pros and cons of their jobs. If you can, learn what each job really entails so you will not be surprised and/or disapointed.

Railroading takes a lot of time away from family and friends, you have to be prepared for this and the physical hardships of 'pounding the gravel' in all sorts of weather.

Ed

[wabash1]

I can only add alittle to what csx engineer ed and carl says and it is this. dont think that if you get your conductors promotion the task is over. this is when the real work starts. learn the conductors job and start the engineers job then. this will make it easier for you when you get to the engineer seat. i have a conductor right now that dont even know what the speed limits are. car restrictions all he knows is to copy track warrents and throw switches. he will have a hard time passing any test when the time comes. he may right now be looking at his last days on the railroad. never stop learning. as ed has said i have worked with female conductors and at one time even engineers. some of the best workers they are serious about their jobs and prove it everyday.

all i can tell you is if you dont like it you will know right away if you love it you will be great at it. its not rocket science just good ole common sense . and if you have this you will do great.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your guidance on this. I'm going to study up on it -- read up on it. I will check out the links that you provided.

Karen [:)]

[rrnut282]

Karen
Don't forget upper body strength. As a conductor you will have to bend the air hoses to make a connection. They get really stiff in freezing weather. You may have to replace one or a knuckle out on the road also. My wife and I volunteered on a museum/tourist RR. For her the hardest part of the job was putting the air hoses together.

Good luck.

[Mookie]

Karen - I hope you make it - I wanted so badly to be an engineer - but the railroads didn't hire women for ops jobs in those days. When they finally started doing so, I was too old. Still too old - but this is equally fun!

Jen

[JoeKoh]

Karen
Good luck and if you hire on with CSX or NS and get bumped up here Matt and I will wave to you.
stay safe
Joe

[wabash1]

when it gets cold those air hoses get stiff. but we have girls down here that are 100lbs soaking wet doing the job. and when in training you will haft to prove you can replace a knuckle. lift it from the ground and put it in the draw head.