Should I become an Engineer?

[wabash1]

Everyone says that the railroad owns you. that you wont be married or see your kids,and that is bull. Ive been married 23 years. ive got more time now at home than i have in the past ( before railroad ) i work all sorts of differance hours. and still seem to get into a fight now and then with the wife. its what you want it to be if you want a divorce you will get it no matter where you work . remeber before you can work as a engineer you haft to be a conductor. dont think you are going to jump into the best seat in the engine with out paying your dues.

[wabash1]

Everyone says that the railroad owns you. that you wont be married or see your kids,and that is bull. Ive been married 23 years. ive got more time now at home than i have in the past ( before railroad ) i work all sorts of differance hours. and still seem to get into a fight now and then with the wife. its what you want it to be if you want a divorce you will get it no matter where you work . remeber before you can work as a engineer you haft to be a conductor. dont think you are going to jump into the best seat in the engine with out paying your dues.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken

Too bad you guys aren't a little older now cause we are hiring like mad! Ken

ironken, you mentiioned that your RR is hiring like mad...
Can you email me with any assistance?
I have applied online for numerous positions with UP, BNSF, and NS but have not heard back.
Thx

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken

Too bad you guys aren't a little older now cause we are hiring like mad! Ken

ironken, you mentiioned that your RR is hiring like mad...
Can you email me with any assistance?
I have applied online for numerous positions with UP, BNSF, and NS but have not heard back.
Thx

[Anonymous]

You forgot Cornell, a leader in EE.

LC

[Anonymous]

You forgot Cornell, a leader in EE.

LC

[Anonymous]

Should you become a Engineer??
YES, for Mechanical engineering Dartmouth,Penn state, Ohio state and Verginia Tech are exellent places to go to get your degree.
For Electrical Engineering there's Purdue, M.I.T. ,Harvard and Cal. Tech.
A four year degree in engineering would be a smart move. Instead of driving trains, you will be designing them!!!!
TIM A

[Anonymous]

Should you become a Engineer??
YES, for Mechanical engineering Dartmouth,Penn state, Ohio state and Verginia Tech are exellent places to go to get your degree.
For Electrical Engineering there's Purdue, M.I.T. ,Harvard and Cal. Tech.
A four year degree in engineering would be a smart move. Instead of driving trains, you will be designing them!!!!
TIM A

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed what Jeffhergert and others have said most of it is absolutely true. Nothing like waiting for that phone to ring. You guys are young now and it's great to have a dream. You can get what you want in life if you reach for it. The caveat is always, be careful what you wish for, you may get it...

Being a locomotive engineer is a lot of work and knowledge. Spend some time on your english and math (particularly computer related) skills. They will help you a lot. Get that first or even second college degree before you sign up. It'll help whether you stay with the RR or move on. I have three degrees, they help me and still I get to run trains...

LC

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed what Jeffhergert and others have said most of it is absolutely true. Nothing like waiting for that phone to ring. You guys are young now and it's great to have a dream. You can get what you want in life if you reach for it. The caveat is always, be careful what you wish for, you may get it...

Being a locomotive engineer is a lot of work and knowledge. Spend some time on your english and math (particularly computer related) skills. They will help you a lot. Get that first or even second college degree before you sign up. It'll help whether you stay with the RR or move on. I have three degrees, they help me and still I get to run trains...

LC

[David3]

When I do become an engineer I probably not have a wife or kids because I already know I won't see them that much, and I'm guessing that's a good decision.

[David3]

When I do become an engineer I probably not have a wife or kids because I already know I won't see them that much, and I'm guessing that's a good decision.

[Anonymous]

Alot of guys that hire on the BNSF go to JCCC (choo choo u). I didn't, I had prior RR experience in MOW type crap. Too bad you guys aren't a little older now cause we are hiring like mad! Why, I don't know....this last class in my terminal will be lucky to work when they mark up. I can't tell you about eastern RRs. But out West (of the Mississippi) you will still go through the conductor's training even if you go to a school for RRing. Try it, it will suck! But by the time you figure that out, it will be too late and the RR will have claimed one more soal. I liken working for the RR to chewing tobacco.........It is nasty, bad for you, and chicks find it unattractive..........but for some reason, you can't quit doing it.....go figure.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Alot of guys that hire on the BNSF go to JCCC (choo choo u). I didn't, I had prior RR experience in MOW type crap. Too bad you guys aren't a little older now cause we are hiring like mad! Why, I don't know....this last class in my terminal will be lucky to work when they mark up. I can't tell you about eastern RRs. But out West (of the Mississippi) you will still go through the conductor's training even if you go to a school for RRing. Try it, it will suck! But by the time you figure that out, it will be too late and the RR will have claimed one more soal. I liken working for the RR to chewing tobacco.........It is nasty, bad for you, and chicks find it unattractive..........but for some reason, you can't quit doing it.....go figure.
Ken

[jrw249]

Sounds good, however, still a hard decision to make when you are married and realize that the railroad is going to own you.

[jrw249]

Sounds good, however, still a hard decision to make when you are married and realize that the railroad is going to own you.

[wabash1]

Railroading is fun and adventuring. the first thing you need is the high school education. Then if you are serious about hiring on the railroad after reading all this then go for it. the main thing railroads are looking for is common sense. if you dont have that or lack of it. you wont get hired. class 1 railroads want team players not know it alls. act like you are wanting to learn and look very interested when you are interviewed. most class 1 railroads want to train you and wont hire you if you went to school to learn this. I have seen guys from other railroads not get hired becouse the way other railroads do things is ot the way we do it. and hired a guy off the street who delivered pizza for a living. And it helps to have a friend ( or make a friend) who works for the railroad he can submit your name and get you in faster.

the hours well Ive always been a night owl anyways there is no set hours its call when needed unless you have a regular job you hold. just becouse you are new dont mean you will be stuck to the extra-board. but be fore warned that you will work 7 days a week ( or be avalible) 24 hrs a day if you want to go out with family take the cell phone. be prepared to be disappointed that you had to leave early. a miss call is almost as bad as commiting murder to the railroad. in other words unless you are on vacation or a day off approved by the train master then you belong to the railroad. like the military ( this is how the railroad works) you keep them happy and they stay off your back.

that is just some of the bad stuff, now the fun stuff. you mount your engines 3 sd 60s 6000 tons 1.5 mile long train. knock the brakes off get a notch on the throttle and start moving out of town. get your train up to track spped adjusting the throttle as needed running 50 mph going past house farms people. need power to pull the hill get a few notches listen to those horses start running. feel the power. 1 of the few jobs where at a young age you get control of 1 million in freight and 1-2 million in equipment and its yours to decided how it is to be moved. the responseability involved. would i give it up. no way. railroading is not for everyone. at age 8 i knew what i wanted and i have it.

things by other posters are true. if you want it you know it. and nothing will stop you. I never get up and complain about going to work in fact there is times i wait and beg the phone to ring. crazy maybe, i have a life outside of the job. you just learn how to work around it.

[wabash1]

Railroading is fun and adventuring. the first thing you need is the high school education. Then if you are serious about hiring on the railroad after reading all this then go for it. the main thing railroads are looking for is common sense. if you dont have that or lack of it. you wont get hired. class 1 railroads want team players not know it alls. act like you are wanting to learn and look very interested when you are interviewed. most class 1 railroads want to train you and wont hire you if you went to school to learn this. I have seen guys from other railroads not get hired becouse the way other railroads do things is ot the way we do it. and hired a guy off the street who delivered pizza for a living. And it helps to have a friend ( or make a friend) who works for the railroad he can submit your name and get you in faster.

the hours well Ive always been a night owl anyways there is no set hours its call when needed unless you have a regular job you hold. just becouse you are new dont mean you will be stuck to the extra-board. but be fore warned that you will work 7 days a week ( or be avalible) 24 hrs a day if you want to go out with family take the cell phone. be prepared to be disappointed that you had to leave early. a miss call is almost as bad as commiting murder to the railroad. in other words unless you are on vacation or a day off approved by the train master then you belong to the railroad. like the military ( this is how the railroad works) you keep them happy and they stay off your back.

that is just some of the bad stuff, now the fun stuff. you mount your engines 3 sd 60s 6000 tons 1.5 mile long train. knock the brakes off get a notch on the throttle and start moving out of town. get your train up to track spped adjusting the throttle as needed running 50 mph going past house farms people. need power to pull the hill get a few notches listen to those horses start running. feel the power. 1 of the few jobs where at a young age you get control of 1 million in freight and 1-2 million in equipment and its yours to decided how it is to be moved. the responseability involved. would i give it up. no way. railroading is not for everyone. at age 8 i knew what i wanted and i have it.

things by other posters are true. if you want it you know it. and nothing will stop you. I never get up and complain about going to work in fact there is times i wait and beg the phone to ring. crazy maybe, i have a life outside of the job. you just learn how to work around it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by David3

I am 14 years old and I would like to ask everybody on the forums if I should become an engineer, because I really want to. I would like everybody else's opinion because I read the remote control in the TRAINS Magazine. And I would just like to know if any of you think there would still be a job left for me by the time I am 21. And I would also like to know what everybody thinks about me choosing this career.... I mean if it is a good choice or not. Any posts would be appreciated, thank you. David

To all who want to work for a railroad I say GO FOR IT. In life you need to do something you like to do, and what can be better but getting paid to do what you like.
I past on the chance when I had it and have regretted it ever since. I had my reasons but now I really wish I would have tried. So don't let anything stop you.

Now the railroaders can comment on this--Is it worthwhile for these young men to go to a place like the Modac Railroad Academy? They do advertise in the Trains mag. Would this be an asset that might give them a competive edge?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by David3

I am 14 years old and I would like to ask everybody on the forums if I should become an engineer, because I really want to. I would like everybody else's opinion because I read the remote control in the TRAINS Magazine. And I would just like to know if any of you think there would still be a job left for me by the time I am 21. And I would also like to know what everybody thinks about me choosing this career.... I mean if it is a good choice or not. Any posts would be appreciated, thank you. David

To all who want to work for a railroad I say GO FOR IT. In life you need to do something you like to do, and what can be better but getting paid to do what you like.
I past on the chance when I had it and have regretted it ever since. I had my reasons but now I really wish I would have tried. So don't let anything stop you.

Now the railroaders can comment on this--Is it worthwhile for these young men to go to a place like the Modac Railroad Academy? They do advertise in the Trains mag. Would this be an asset that might give them a competive edge?

[Anonymous]

YES. My father was an Engineer for the B&O & when I was old enough there were no openings for Firemen, (Engineer-in-Training) so I became a Clerk/Yardmaster in Willard, Ohio. Railroading is a VERY SPECIAL and when you get into that type of work it gets in your blood and you never get over it. I still love Railroading and a friend was able to get us a ride from Williams, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ in the cab VERY THRILLING.

[Anonymous]

YES. My father was an Engineer for the B&O & when I was old enough there were no openings for Firemen, (Engineer-in-Training) so I became a Clerk/Yardmaster in Willard, Ohio. Railroading is a VERY SPECIAL and when you get into that type of work it gets in your blood and you never get over it. I still love Railroading and a friend was able to get us a ride from Williams, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ in the cab VERY THRILLING.

[David3]

I would like to thank all of you that replied so far, and it makes me feel good that you all think I have a shot at it.

[David3]

I would like to thank all of you that replied so far, and it makes me feel good that you all think I have a shot at it.

[Trainnut484]

Both of you, David and Alex, are doing great by looking before you jump into a career. I'm guessing that by the time you get to my post here you've figured out that RRs are NOT a 8a-5p, MON-FRI job. Jeffhergert has explained it all especially when it comes to senority. If you do choose to become a RR trainman, you'll be missing family holidays and birthdays. That's part of the stress on family life. My late father was a rr trainman, and he missed some birthdays and holidays.

The smartest thing to do is finish your education and get your AS/BA degrees. That will be your safety net in case RR life isn't for you.

Take care[:)].

Russell

[Trainnut484]

Both of you, David and Alex, are doing great by looking before you jump into a career. I'm guessing that by the time you get to my post here you've figured out that RRs are NOT a 8a-5p, MON-FRI job. Jeffhergert has explained it all especially when it comes to senority. If you do choose to become a RR trainman, you'll be missing family holidays and birthdays. That's part of the stress on family life. My late father was a rr trainman, and he missed some birthdays and holidays.

The smartest thing to do is finish your education and get your AS/BA degrees. That will be your safety net in case RR life isn't for you.

Take care[:)].

Russell

[Anonymous]

I say go for it![:D] I am 15 my self and plan to work for the Manufacturers Railway here in St. Louis, they operate around 42 miles of track, and since they are owned by Anheiser-Busch, I am sure they pay very well. To become an engineer has been my life long dream, and I will let no one stand in my way of accomplishing it.[;)]

[Anonymous]

I say go for it![:D] I am 15 my self and plan to work for the Manufacturers Railway here in St. Louis, they operate around 42 miles of track, and since they are owned by Anheiser-Busch, I am sure they pay very well. To become an engineer has been my life long dream, and I will let no one stand in my way of accomplishing it.[;)]

[JoeKoh]

I am not going to say either way ed and cabforward already said it.You'll have your good days and then you'll have like last weekend for the Csx folks.bad and slow.Finish your schooling first and good luck.
stay safe
joe