Hi,
I just have a couple of questions, I have just taken my physical and backround check to become a conducter trainee and am awaiting the call to find out when training will start. I was wondering what is involved in training? I know that your down in Mcdonough, GA for 2 weeks and than back in the train yard for two weeks, than back down their for two weeks, and than back to the train yard for 8-16 weeks. Also When your at the train yard are you assighned normal shifts during training, or are you on the extra board like you are when you become an official conducter. I will be training in Jersey City, NJ. Is this a busy yard, where their will be alot of work? I am really looking to work 6-7 days a week if possible. Either way I know this job is for me, i've been interested in a Freight Train conducter job for years, so any information would be great, thank you.
The ACT's in this area are assigned to a conductor for yard and road work for about a week at a time.
They usually have condutors they like people to train with.
Now a couple of years ago they had a bunch of ACT's and they did in fact put them on a call list,sorta like an extra list.It didn't go over to well though.
Good Luck on your new adventure.
Collin ,operator of the " Eastern Kentucky & Ohio R.R."
Well, Good Luck in your future endevors working for the railroad. I will tell you something that my trainner told me when you start working for the railroad it's not a job it's a career. There are many oprotunity for advancement.
I just hired out with CSX in Louisville. I don't really know what NS does in terms of setting up schedules for training but, I do know that they are going to put you through some intense book work, a lot of railroaders like to call it Rules H E double hockey sticks. Be prepared to study, study, study those rule books. Sometimes I would spend 5-6 hours studying after school. Get involved in a study group.
OH study your signals, you have to know them verbatim! FLASH CARDS, make friends with them.
Make sure you ask a lot of questions, esp if you don't understand something. I don't know what NS expects of it's students but, CSX expects you to maintain a 85 percent or better in the school.
I do know that during you 14 weeks of on the job training at your home yard, you will be getting payed but, you will not be an official conductor until you take you final rules and signal exam, pass it, then they will mark you up on the extra board as a conductor. You will be working with different crews, I do have to warn you that certain crews don't like trainees. Chances are that you won't get on the extra board until you finish up your training in the yard, then they will put you out on the road training.
Well that is all that I can think of right now...I do have more information but most of that pretains to CSX's training.
Lastly, Always expect a train at any time, from any direction, on any track. Stay Safe.
SARAH!
Havent seen you around in ages!
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
conrailman wrote:Why does anyone want to work for CSX railroad. Its a very Poor Run of a Railroad Company.
That's only your opinion, the same could be said for the others,
And it seems that they ALL have had more than their share of trouble recently.
Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!
conrailman wrote:CSX Railroad has the most Wrecks and History of very poor track in the USA. BNSF,UP and NS railroad has 100% Better track and maintain them better.
Best explain that a bit better, to the best of my knowledge, NS has had several derailments,
along with the CSX, and most have occured in ex Conrail, ex PC territitory.
UP & BNSF have had several of those "unmentionables" recently also.
this all seems but heres my take......when i hired out on CSX in 1997 in michigan i went to school that i paid for in Cincinati fo 6 weeks.....railroading 101 and 102.....no guarintee of job either just an "interview".....but they was hirin everyone then....had to fail the class or the backgound check to not get hired....after i got hired i went to atlanta for a week of railroading 103 including gettin the 2-3 am call in the hotel to go to school.....after that is was cubbing and classroom on my division out of grand rapids for 6 weeks then i was cut loose runnin trains.........know your signals and if jersy is anything like chicago know everyone elses signals.....same fo your rulebook and timetables.....yours and everyone elses.........as far as the NS....we called it nazi southern back then because their managment in Mi was just the pits....so we were told by their crews....and realy if ya aint haulin powder river coal.....your mainline prolly sucks.....