Modoc Railroad Academy

[Anonymous]

I was wondering if anyone has heard of The Modoc Railroad Academy? It is here in Sacramento, CA. Have any of you attended? I have heard good things. Just wanted to see if anyone else had an opinion. It is a railroad vocational school. Everyone that I've spoken with have said really good things. How about you guys?[?]

[coborn35]

Waste of money, as all the other rails will say. If its experience your looking for, and a definite job offer, get your engineers card with a shortline then get hired out by the bigboys.
The rialroads train you themselves anyway......so there is really no need.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think it is a waste of money? Is this first hand knowledge? Did you attend the school or know someone who has? Do you know their course studies?

[Anonymous]

i went to a railroad school in overland park, ks about 8 years ago. 2 months after i finished the school i hired out with the bnsf railroad and never looked back. i am still employeed by the bnsf and i am loving it. i would say that it was not a waste of time for me. if it was not for that school in ks i would not have got hired onto the bnsf. if you want to get a job with the railroad i say go to that school in ca. they will make sure you know what railroad is hiring where and they will also give you good pointers on what to say in your railroad interview. good luck

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it is a waste of money or not? One thing that is correct is that all Class 1 railroads will train their own new hires to cater to their own rules and not somebody elses training books. I have not worked for the railroad for many years now, but remember learning the most by being on the job (OJT). It is a pain for all employess involved to have to work around new hires, but everyone has to learn how to work around trains as they are not born knowing how it all works. If you live in the Sacramento area you should seriously apply with the U.P. online (www.UP.com). They are hiring(Train Service) at this time all over their system. Roseville I believe has openings, but you need to apply to get hired. They will train you for 14 weeks and then probably turn you loose to work as a switchman, brakeman, conductor or engineer. It is all up to them depending on their business needs at the time of hire and can change at any time. Here is a link to their employment page, http://www.careerlink.org/0/0/5/7/interfac.htm I personally would just get a job with the big boys. Your application will also probably get looked at a little closer than if you were just another man applying for these positions. I had several women in my Brakemens class many years ago and they all past the written exam at the end of their classroom training, some of the guys did not. I went on to work with several of these women for several years and they all did an excellent job at their profession. All new hires get hassled a little by the more senior employees, but that happens in all professions. Good luck and just go for it and get your application in with the big guys. Remember you won't have much of a social life if you work for the railroad , I didn't. Have fun.
Brad

[Anonymous]

I forgot that BNSF does want people who go to private railroad training schools. If you go to BNSF.com they will mention this under the employment section. The schools are back in the midwest if I am not mistaken, none out here on the west coast. Both UP and BNSF are top notch railroads and either one would be an excellent choice. I happen to live in the SF Bay Area and both are located here, but for you I believe that Stockton is the closest terminal for the BNSF in the Sac area. You usually have a 90 minute call from the Crew Dispatcher to be to your job location from your home and that for me always veried due to haveing to protect (work) a large area. I live in the northbay and would sometimes get called to go as far as Fremont to work a local switching job or sometimes to Davis to work up there. So keep that in mind when you go to apply for any railroad position. Ofcourse I guess you could move? Novel idea, huh!

[Anonymous]

If you want to go to school, that's fine. Remember you are a female and the RRs have been on a female hiring kick.....I'd apply now! Every person that hires ahead of you is lost seniority!

[Anonymous]

Important to consider when attending any railroad school, even one that is sponsored by a railroad, as in BNSF's dispatcher class taught in Fort Worth, that there is no guarantee for employment from any railroad. The class was expensive and took large chunks of time making working elsewhere at the same time nearly impossible. There were two railroads present at the end of class doing initial interviews. All but four of our class was hired.

The class itself was well taught and very informative. If I had studied harder instead of flirting with the man who would become my husband, I may have actually pass the class.

[Anonymous]

Maybe someday we will go back to best qualified, till then, viva la affirmative action..

[Anonymous]

Norfolk Southern requires you to work as a conductor. Then, when it becomes your turn based on seniority and the needs of the railroad, you are sent to their training center in McDonough, Ga. to begin locomotive training. The division I worked on didn't hire anyone off the street to go to locomotive training.
The last I heard, CSX has a group of tech schools that a prospective employee can attend at their own expense with no guarantee of a job.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by m1ashooter

Maybe someday we will go back to best qualified, till then, viva la affirmative action..

no kidding. don't see it happening anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

As most of the people here already know, I went to the Modoc Railroad Academy nearly a year ago. Admittedly it is a far from perfect school and they cannot teach you everything you need to know in two short months, but it definitely can help on your resume / employment application in getting you hired on. I'd try putting in some employment apps first, and only if that does not get you anywhere, then try going to some place like Modoc or the National Academy of Railroad Sciences in the Kansas City area. Even if you don't have any prior professional railroad experience, I do agree that being female (and the railroads being all about affirmative action hiring) you probably can very likely get hired on directly without needing to go to Modoc or NARS.

Both cost around $5,000 area but are worth it to get that job interview. Either place you go, you'll still have a lot to learn on the job, but at least it is a start and can get you in the door. One recommendation I would make though is that if you do go to Modoc, only take the conductor's program.... the engineer's program is a complete waste of money for the experience versus the cost of that program ($15,500 at last count) and considering that all Class 1's and more and more shortlines will only hire you on as a conductor anyway regardless of engineer certification.

[Anonymous]

More information is available on their websites:

Modoc Railroad Academy
http://www.ModocRailroadAcademy.com/

National Academy of Railroad Sciences
http://Web.JohnCo.CC.KS.us/nars/
http://www.RailroadTraining.com/

If you have other specific questions about Modoc that are not answered on the website, please send me an e-mail through the e-mail link on the bottom of this posting.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by drfizzix

As most of the people here already know, I went to the Modoc Railroad Academy nearly a year ago. Admittedly it is a far from perfect school and they cannot teach you everything you need to know in two short months, but it definitely can help on your resume / employment application in getting you hired on. I'd try putting in some employment apps first, and only if that does not get you anywhere, then try going to some place like Modoc or the National Academy of Railroad Sciences in the Kansas City area. Even if you don't have any prior professional railroad experience, I do agree that being female (and the railroads being all about affirmative action hiring) you probably can very likely get hired on directly without needing to go to Modoc or NARS.

Both cost around $5,000 area but are worth it to get that job interview. Either place you go, you'll still have a lot to learn on the job, but at least it is a start and can get you in the door. One recommendation I would make though is that if you do go to Modoc, only take the conductor's program.... the engineer's program is a complete waste of money for the experience versus the cost of that program ($15,500 at last count) and considering that all Class 1's and more and more shortlines will only hire you on as a conductor anyway regardless of engineer certification.

FINALLY, we agree on something! A good bit of advice to the Gal.

[route_rock]

Hmmm Hired by BNSF never went to NARS, and I am not a chick. Put in your ap NARS gets preference but so what? 10 spaces that need filled, 3 nars grads in your area you do the math.Out of 75 hired in my terminal only 28 went to nars.Even if you go to NARS you dont get to go railroading once hired you still get the same class,but you get road jobs to do.
Modoc doesnt explain a key feature. Sure youll have a card that says I can run an engine,but you have to establi***rainmens seniority. Then youll have to bid to go to engineer school for the railroad you work for. And if your at the bottom of the barrel you could be waiting for a few years.I have seen some terminals ask for 10 bids and others only 2 or 3 so get in serve your time pay your dues. You may get lucky and get right in or you may have to wait, called luck of the draw.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by route_rock

Hmmm Hired by BNSF never went to NARS, and I am not a chick. Put in your ap NARS gets preference but so what? 10 spaces that need filled, 3 nars grads in your area you do the math.Out of 75 hired in my terminal only 28 went to nars.Even if you go to NARS you dont get to go railroading once hired you still get the same class,but you get road jobs to do.
Modoc doesnt explain a key feature. Sure youll have a card that says I can run an engine,but you have to establi***rainmens seniority. Then youll have to bid to go to engineer school for the railroad you work for. And if your at the bottom of the barrel you could be waiting for a few years.I have seen some terminals ask for 10 bids and others only 2 or 3 so get in serve your time pay your dues. You may get lucky and get right in or you may have to wait, called luck of the draw.

I don't know of that many NARS guys that have hired out and no Modoc guys. Can I ask when you hired out and how close you are to promoting (not being nosey...just for reference) some terminals are promoting early and some take forever.

[route_rock]

No prob man I hired out on independence day 05! Us and Lacrosse are the only two who did on teh chicago div ( and we didnt get Holiday pay )
Right now last guy that was called up was july 04 date. We have 5 more going on feb 13. Not sure if I will make this cut as there are still about 80 between us.
Just doing the next best thing as a hostler on the Xboard. No one here wants on it so your pretty much bump free.( matter of fact they just forced a junior guy over) I know I put in bids for Aurora Corwith FT Mad and Creston but like you siad some of those terminals suck for accepting more engineers. I would think they woud have a tough time after implementing primary recall for engineers.
Stay safe and we will see you out there.

[Anonymous]

I went to NARS and hired out in a month. The railroads and shortlines are going to (if not started to) hire mostly from these schools. My class of 26 were all hired. It is a good way to get in and have it on your resume and you are interviewed by the BNSF. Go for it. If you don't try you won't know and somthing you want never comes easy.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by drfizzix

As most of the people here already know, I went to the Modoc Railroad Academy nearly a year ago. Admittedly it is a far from perfect school and they cannot teach you everything you need to know in two short months, but it definitely can help on your resume / employment application in getting you hired on. I'd try putting in some employment apps first, and only if that does not get you anywhere, then try going to some place like Modoc or the National Academy of Railroad Sciences in the Kansas City area. Even if you don't have any prior professional railroad experience, I do agree that being female (and the railroads being all about affirmative action hiring) you probably can very likely get hired on directly without needing to go to Modoc or NARS.

Both cost around $5,000 area but are worth it to get that job interview. Either place you go, you'll still have a lot to learn on the job, but at least it is a start and can get you in the door. One recommendation I would make though is that if you do go to Modoc, only take the conductor's program.... the engineer's program is a complete waste of money for the experience versus the cost of that program ($15,500 at last count) and considering that all Class 1's and more and more shortlines will only hire you on as a conductor anyway regardless of engineer certification.

You need to reread 49 CFR 240 et seq. No school, Modoc or any other can certifty anyone as a locomotive engineer. The only entity that can CERTIFY anyone under the CFR is a RAILROAD. None of these schools are common carrier railroads (and yes, I am well aware that NARS is essentially part of the BNSF training center, but it is still a separate school, unless you are sent there by the BNSF, KCS or other RR and later certified under that RRs 49 CFR 240 program). BEWARE, any school that tells you they can certify you as a locomotive engineer is not telling you the truth.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

QUOTE: Originally posted by drfizzix

As most of the people here already know, I went to the Modoc Railroad Academy nearly a year ago. Admittedly it is a far from perfect school and they cannot teach you everything you need to know in two short months, but it definitely can help on your resume / employment application in getting you hired on. I'd try putting in some employment apps first, and only if that does not get you anywhere, then try going to some place like Modoc or the National Academy of Railroad Sciences in the Kansas City area. Even if you don't have any prior professional railroad experience, I do agree that being female (and the railroads being all about affirmative action hiring) you probably can very likely get hired on directly without needing to go to Modoc or NARS.

Both cost around $5,000 area but are worth it to get that job interview. Either place you go, you'll still have a lot to learn on the job, but at least it is a start and can get you in the door. One recommendation I would make though is that if you do go to Modoc, only take the conductor's program.... the engineer's program is a complete waste of money for the experience versus the cost of that program ($15,500 at last count) and considering that all Class 1's and more and more shortlines will only hire you on as a conductor anyway regardless of engineer certification.

You need to reread 49 CFR 240 et seq. No school, Modoc or any other can certifty anyone as a locomotive engineer. The only entity that can CERTIFY anyone under the CFR is a RAILROAD. None of these schools are common carrier railroads (and yes, I am well aware that NARS is essentially part of the BNSF training center, but it is still a separate school, unless you are sent there by the BNSF, KCS or other RR and later certified under that RRs 49 CFR 240 program). BEWARE, any school that tells you they can certify you as a locomotive engineer is not telling you the truth.

LC

Actually, I already knew that, which is one of the other reasons that I would be weary of their "engineer certification" program [B)]. Taking that program may show that you have some of the basic skills in operating a locomotive, but does not technically consitute full FRA 240 engineer certification as LC says.

[Anonymous]

Well it seems that everyone has an opinion. I like that. But so far the only guy that can really talk about the school is the guy that went there. I already know that being a lady I have a few more advantages than the "average joe". I don't want to take that route. I will not use my sex to get me somewhere. I rather let my skills speak for themselves. So all you "affermative action people" take a brake, I'm not interested. I do appreciate everyones opinions. I have also spoken with people from the class 1's. No one had anyhting bad to say. In fact just the opposite. I would like to challenge that guy Scott I think it was, to tell me where he would be had he not attended Modoc? [?][:D]

[Anonymous]

Well it seems that everyone has an opinion. I like that. But so far the only guy that can really talk about the school is the guy that went there. I already know that being a lady I have a few more advantages than the "average joe". I don't want to take that route. I will not use my sex to get me somewhere. I rather let my skills speak for themselves. So all you "affermative action people" take a brake, I'm not interested. I do appreciate everyones opinions. I have also spoken with people from the class 1's. No one had anyhting bad to say. In fact just the opposite. I would like to challenge that guy Scott I think it was, to tell me where he would be had he not attended Modoc? [?][:D]

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railroadchick

Well it seems that everyone has an opinion. I like that. But so far the only guy that can really talk about the school is the guy that went there. I already know that being a lady I have a few more advantages than the "average joe". I don't want to take that route. I will not use my sex to get me somewhere. I rather let my skills speak for themselves. So all you "affermative action people" take a brake, I'm not interested. I do appreciate everyones opinions. I have also spoken with people from the class 1's. No one had anyhting bad to say. In fact just the opposite. I would like to challenge that guy Scott I think it was, to tell me where he would be had he not attended Modoc? [?][:D]

The thing is, the railroads wil make you recertify anyway, and alot of instuctors will laugh at you if you come up and say, IM big and bad, i went to MODOC.
There is no sense, unless you want to pay X for riarload school, then X more dollars to officially get trained.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railroadchick

Well it seems that everyone has an opinion. I like that. But so far the only guy that can really talk about the school is the guy that went there. I already know that being a lady I have a few more advantages than the "average joe". I don't want to take that route. I will not use my sex to get me somewhere. I rather let my skills speak for themselves. So all you "affermative action people" take a brake, I'm not interested. I do appreciate everyones opinions. I have also spoken with people from the class 1's. No one had anyhting bad to say. In fact just the opposite. I would like to challenge that guy Scott I think it was, to tell me where he would be had he not attended Modoc? [?][:D]

I can tell you this. On the BNSF NARS holds more water than MODOC. NARS is BNSF's school and TTC. I didn't go to school for this, but, I have worked with a few that have and I can say that BNSF's conductor training program and NARS uses the same materials. Not to be rude.......If you are a female and apply, your gender will be an issue, like it or not it is all about numbers. As far as letting your skills shine, unless you have RRed before, you don't really have many skills to offer per se. They are looking for a certain kind of person.....follows instruction, safety minded, blah, blah. This is why BNSF and other RRs love prior Military people. Some chicks belong on the rails and some do not. There are a few who are out here looking to win the lottery and would please me to see them gone. They get away with crap that would earn me a ticket to investigation. They can't change a knuckle or even an airhose without assistance which has laid me out more than once. They are New old heads to boot. They act like they have been here 25 years. I go look at the roster to find out they have 6mos of whiskers....WTF? Then there the few that are hard workers and are on the point. There is this one gal that is a small framed girl and she is an animal. A darn fine new hire! She is here to work and that's it! No hanky panky. There are also some female hoggers that are very good as well.

[tjsmrinfo]

i wish i had known about these schools in the early 90's when i first got out of the army. i'd have about 14 years senoirity.


tom

[route_rock]

Right on ironken! Some out here are good railroaders. ( this is men and women) and some are out here to be a pain in the hind end.
Skills are things you get after being out here a while. Getting the feel of 25 loaded cars with no air to them adn knowing where they will stop when you want them too ( and is this the motor whos brakes suck?)Tossing a knuckle around isnt fun. Changing air hoses isnt fun. Can you do it in the snow? Wind blowing 40 mph black as the devils @$$ outside, and your on single track with an irate DS and Engineer?
I think those girls that are here to work can do it. The ones like ken said looking for that lottery cash in " He harassed me!" he touched me! He did this or I got hurt ,gives a bad name to all the women out here.Plus you can tell the ones who are here to work. They ask questions are polite and always ALWAYS trying to do a bit more. The ones going "I know I know " or ordering an old head around are the ones that you stay away from ( men and women)

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rock!

[Chris_S68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tjsmrinfo

i wish i had known about these schools in the early 90's when i first got out of the army. i'd have about 14 years senoirity.


tom

Actually, they didn't really have these schools back then, at least that I know of. At that time, most railroads hired through the state job services. Choo-Choo-U is a realtively new concept which, IMHO, is borne of people seeing an opportunity to make a buck in the job-screening business.

[Anonymous]

Okay today I went to the Modoc Railroad Academy. A lot of has been said on this topic & has been proven incorrect. In fact I was also able to meet someone from BNSF that was there interviewing the current students. They did say that the engineer program certifies for their railroad. Even is someone worked for UP for many years and then went to another railroad you would still have to go through their training. I talked to the current students. They were very informative. Also something I thought was pretty cool is they gave me contact info of previous students if I had any more questions. One thing I found out is that not everyone that has gone through the school, (they wouldn't give a name) but someone had lied on their application to BNSF regarding a felony and yes they were not able to help that student. They admitted that this school is not for everyone. Not everyone can cut it. If you're a railroader you understand that this is a career not just a job. I have decided to attend. Especially after speaking with BNSF. Thanks for all the advice.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railroadchick

Okay today I went to the Modoc Railroad Academy. A lot of has been said on this topic & has been proven incorrect. In fact I was also able to meet someone from BNSF that was there interviewing the current students. They did say that the engineer program certifies for their railroad. Even is someone worked for UP for many years and then went to another railroad you would still have to go through their training. I talked to the current students. They were very informative. Also something I thought was pretty cool is they gave me contact info of previous students if I had any more questions. One thing I found out is that not everyone that has gone through the school, (they wouldn't give a name) but someone had lied on their application to BNSF regarding a felony and yes they were not able to help that student. They admitted that this school is not for everyone. Not everyone can cut it. If you're a railroader you understand that this is a career not just a job. I have decided to attend. Especially after speaking with BNSF. Thanks for all the advice.

As I understand, I believe that the guy with the felony problem actually did end up getting hired on by a shortline later on, athough he was pretty dumb for lying about it on his BNSF employment application.

So, have you decided to attend only the conductor's program or the engineer's program too? The school does "certifiy" locomotive engineers for the school's wholly owned railroad subsidiary (Modoc Railroad), but this certification is not an FRA-approved certification (although Modoc management does claim so, but I have yet to see convincing proof to support that assertion) because the Modoc Railroad has deliberately gone out of it's way to exempt itself from FRA regulation, namely by physically removing their UP main line switch, thus making thmselves a landlocked railroad not "part of the general system of railroad transportation" as termed in the 49 CFR 200's. Therefore, I see no explanation how an FRA-exempt railroad could issue an FRA-approved engineer's license.

Keep us posted and good luck with the training [:D]. Remember safety first, safety always [8D].