Work for a RR but not on a train?

[videomaker]

 Boyd,

Best to go for an office job like a clerk of some kind,or maybe you could follow your current trade into the railroad... Some office jobs are 24 hrs, meaning you work shift work...Gods speed 

[Boyd]

I'm hypoglycemic which is also called "low blood sugar". It hit me spring of 2004. I'm beyond the worst stage of this disease as the first 2 years you are tired all the time. Keeping on my diet I'm fine but if I miss a meal or my sleep is interrupted my mind can be a little slow. Highly physical activity like shovelling dirt for an extended time can wear me out in short time. I'm nearly 42 so I'm no spring chicken. But lighter work I think I would be fine.

[route_rock]

 Not sure how close you are to where Progressive Rail runs, but check them out.If anything you can ork in their office or even on the rail as they are like tree said a kind of 9-5 outfit.

  Good luck with your search!

[videomaker]

I'm coming down from the the 3985 steam high. It was cold this morning as I stood there with about 75 other railfans with my camera and my hands shaking. I was in the cloud of steam as this beast started its movement westward. The noise deafening as I was almost crying in excitement.

Well if I could work on and around steam engines that would be great. But what are the chances I could ever do that and get paid for doing it? And this brings me to my next point.

With a health problem I have, I need to get good sleep on a consistent basis or else you don't want me operating a train that weighs thousands of tons and can easily kill someone. I've read the recent Trains mag article on "working for a railroad". The new RR employees get the erratic work schedules. So how about doing something else working for the railroad? What else could I get into entry level or maybe work for a company that services railroads? 

No one has said anything about it ,but it depends on your health problem as to what kind of RR job you could get..If your not physically fit to perform their physical agillity test you may not be hirable,depending on the qualifications for your piticular interest..My son works for BNSF on a bridge gang 4 days a week,( 10 hr days)most of the time but occassionaly theres 16 to 18 hr days or more if a derailment occurs on his territory... Any health problems you have will probably come out during your testing..

I hope this helps and I havent dicouraged you... 

[tree68]

Many local shortlines are essentially "9-5" operations.  There may be the occasional long day, and you're still out in all kinds of weather, but at least it's a pretty predictable schedule.

I've got a friend who has a sales job.  He's able to wrap up his rounds one week, then work for a shortline the other week.  Kinda neat.

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

I started out with the CPRS as an Agent/Operator then worked in the Customer Service Team Center and now work in Accounting Services.  I have to admit I kinda like the Monday thru Friday thing with weekends and holidays off. 

[cprted]

There are just as many people (if not more) who don't work on the trains than do.  Whether it be MoW, shop trades, telecomunications, all the way through the bussiness end of the organization, it takes a lot of people.  Go to the website of your RR of choice and look for a Career page.  Search through the postings and see if something tickles your fancy.  A couple of clicks on BNSF's page shows 114 job postings.  

 As for wanting to work around steam, look into lending a hand a the your nearest tourist railway.  Odds are, they'll be able to use any extra help they can get.

[TheS.P.caboose]

I was a clerk for a major railroad for the same reasons you came close too. I have major health factors that stopped me from being on board a train; and was a clerk for 16 years. It was great. I would reccomend going this route. Good luck!!!!

[Boyd]

I'm coming down from the the 3985 steam high. It was cold this morning as I stood there with about 75 other railfans with my camera and my hands shaking. I was in the cloud of steam as this beast started its movement westward. The noise deafening as I was almost crying in excitement.

Well if I could work on and around steam engines that would be great. But what are the chances I could ever do that and get paid for doing it? And this brings me to my next point.

With a health problem I have, I need to get good sleep on a consistent basis or else you don't want me operating a train that weighs thousands of tons and can easily kill someone. I've read the recent Trains mag article on "working for a railroad". The new RR employees get the erratic work schedules. So how about doing something else working for the railroad? What else could I get into entry level or maybe work for a company that services railroads?