QUOTE: Originally posted by tpatrick Now I see the bigger picture and I understand your problem. I don't blame you at all for looking for a fresh start. I'm no expert, but I understand that RRs are hiring almost everywhere, so you should have no trouble finding work. There several schools for prospective RR employees. Check out Modoc Railroad Academy or maybe there is something closer to PHX. Be prepared to spend $5K, or so, for tuition, plus living expenses for a couple of months. I looked into it about seven years ago. At that time the school in Dayton said to expect starting pay around $30K with CSX or NS. Maybe it is a bit higher, now. You start as a brakeman or conductor and may move up to engineer fairly quickly. I don't know about engineer pay scales, but I wouldn't expect to make more than an airline captain - except that being a working engineer surely beats being a furloughed captain. All the above is based mostly on hearsay, in large part from this forum. In my view railroading would be the best possible career if only the schedule wasn't so intense. For me, the time off is too important. I hope some real railroaders chime in here. Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
QUOTE: Originally posted by coborn35 The best bet for you guys would be to look into the other forums, because we have had MANY recent discussions on this. MODOC is a scam. The railroads will train you themselves, and you will start as a conductor, then yard engineer, then if you choose, road engineer. Your gonna have to build up senority though. If anybody lives by the Dakota,Minnesta and Eastern, I would try to get a job with them becsue they are soon majorly expanding and will be in need of new crewmembers.