I got into the Richmond yardmaster's tower because my uncle is an employee, so I suppose you could.
Blue Alert! We're at Blue Alert! Aw crap, it's a nondescript GEVO... Cancel Blue Alert!
Trainfan25 Another question, are the railroads going to be hiring more people in the next few years? I have heard that on another forum because of people retiring. Also do people ever get "laid off" on the railroad?
Another question, are the railroads going to be hiring more people in the next few years? I have heard that on another forum because of people retiring. Also do people ever get "laid off" on the railroad?
So I went to a regional. Made it through the interview/screening process and had a job offer before I finished driving home that day. Were it not for my eyesight (long story) I'd like to think I'd still be working there. I know that about half of the guys offered jobs when I did are gone.
Any job is largely what you make of it. There are bad managers, burnouts and all manner of people in every field. I just got a promotion where I am and I can tell you - the last 5 months have been the best 5 months of my 14 years here. As was said earlier - get some experience, try some things and let yourself learn. You might be surprised.
Dan
Hi Trainfan25!
I was a rail fan when I was your age. I used to chase CSX trains through my hometown of Cartersville, GA back in the 80s. Like you, I wanted to become an engineer too. When I got out of high school I tried to get on but they weren't hiring at the time so I took a job at Six Flags over Georgia running their steam train ride while I attended college. Back then they had two narrow gauge oil burners. What a fun job that was for a 19 year old! In the meantime I kept trying to get hired by either CSX or NS. A couple of years went by and I took a job on a short line as a conductor. A year later I went back to college and took a job for an Intermodal contractor for CSX. Finally, four years later NS hired me as a conductor. Three and a half years later I was promoted to engineer. I'd finally reached my dream job.
One of the most important things I learned in life is to find something you would enjoy doing when you decide on a career and keep trying until you succeed. The hardest part about my job is the lifestyle. Since I work the mainline almost every other day I am away from home. Sometimes I sit for hours staring at a red signal in front of me so it can get kind of boring at times. But it is a great feeling running a hotshot intermodal 60 mph while blasting the horn and waving at all the train fans and kids as we charge through towns along the way. I do admit I enjoy waving at all the pretty ladies too...especially when they wave back!
I read some of the earlier post and do agree with the ones that mention military service. A lot of the guys I work with fall into that category. When you graduate go to the company's website and submit your resume but if you don't get an interview right away I would encourage you to either join the military or at least enroll in a technical college and study mechanical or electrical engineering.
Tim
Locomotive Engineer
Norfolk Southern Corp
Thats the route I took, I now make 4 times what I made before, have two houses new cars etc. etc. Have not been to a family birthday in 15 years, missed most of my kids games, concerts, moments. Rarely make thanksgiving christmas superbowl. My wife knew she was doomed to this eventually as I was always trying to get on with a railroad, she's a loyal virtuous woman, 50% of my co-workers are divorced, 30% have had heart attacks. If I had it to again I would be a radiologist and volunteer at a museum or weekend shortline and still have a life.
EMD#1 Hi Trainfan25! I was a rail fan when I was your age. I used to chase CSX trains through my hometown of Cartersville, GA back in the 80s. Like you, I wanted to become an engineer too. When I got out of high school I tried to get on but they weren't hiring at the time so I took a job at Six Flags over Georgia running their steam train ride while I attended college. Back then they had two narrow gauge oil burners. What a fun job that was for a 19 year old! In the meantime I kept trying to get hired by either CSX or NS. A couple of years went by and I took a job on a short line as a conductor. A year later I went back to college and took a job for an Intermodal contractor for CSX. Finally, four years later NS hired me as a conductor. Three and a half years later I was promoted to engineer. I'd finally reached my dream job. One of the most important things I learned in life is to find something you would enjoy doing when you decide on a career and keep trying until you succeed. The hardest part about my job is the lifestyle. Since I work the mainline almost every other day I am away from home. Sometimes I sit for hours staring at a red signal in front of me so it can get kind of boring at times. But it is a great feeling running a hotshot intermodal 60 mph while blasting the horn and waving at all the train fans and kids as we charge through towns along the way. I do admit I enjoy waving at all the pretty ladies too...especially when they wave back! I read some of the earlier post and do agree with the ones that mention military service. A lot of the guys I work with fall into that category. When you graduate go to the company's website and submit your resume but if you don't get an interview right away I would encourage you to either join the military or at least enroll in a technical college and study mechanical or electrical engineering. Tim Locomotive Engineer Norfolk Southern Corp
What you said really inspired me. Do you really enjoy being a railroader? A lot of railroaders I have seen say they hate the job and seem to try to direct people away from it.
Very few railroaders hate their jobs all the time. It's just that many of us have presented you with the reality of the situation, vs. what you have pictured in your head (and see in the magazines and on TV). Plus bitching is the national past time of the railroad.
But just like any other job.there are good days and there are bad days. There are days it's hard to believe we get paid for this, and other days we think about learning to juggle so we can join the circus. In all honesty, I believe a majority of it is where you are working out of. There are some terminals that have decent jobs, decent people and bosses. Other places that just plain suck. When I worked on the road, I was in a terminal that could get very "hotel-happy" at times. No matter what - you took rest in a hotel. Even if you just ended up deadheading home in 10 hours. That gets old really quick.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
zugmann There are days it's hard to believe we get paid for this, and other days we think about learning to juggle so we can join the circus.
There are days it's hard to believe we get paid for this, and other days we think about learning to juggle so we can join the circus.
zugmannThere are days it's hard to believe we get paid for this, and other days we think about learning to juggle so we can join the circus.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
tree68 zugmannThere are days it's hard to believe we get paid for this, and other days we think about learning to juggle so we can join the circus. Heck, I do it for nothing, but still feel the same way...
Some days make you think you've already joined the circus.
Jeff
zardoz zugmann There are days it's hard to believe we get paid for this, and other days we think about learning to juggle so we can join the circus. I think that just about sums it up.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
If they hate their job then they should quit and find something else. This goes especially to the guys ahead of me in seniority! No matter what you might hear anyone who has been out here for more than three years like it enough to stay for thirty. While it is true some days are better than others I can honestly tell you that I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. Railroading is and will always be in my blood.
To add to EMD#1's comment, I have never worked for a railroad, but I did maintain and troubleshoot mainframe computers from '65 to '95, and there were times the first few years that the only thiing that kept me going was telling myself that I wouldn't be in this job for long. We worked a regular 8 to 5 day, but were subject to be called out anytime day or night, and there were occasions when I've worked 30 hours straight on a serious problem. We were also sometimes called to travel to other cities to help out. I did notice a definite "hump" effect which EMD's comment reminded me of. Many new-hires quit within a few months to a couple of years. The ones who stuck it out seemed to enjoy it, admittedly with a lot of bitching.
I have often heard or read of the similarities between railroad and military life. I've also seen a few comments in these forums about the amount of bitching among railroaders. From my three years in the army, I can say that's at least one similarity. It's considered one of the benefits.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
zugmannPlus bitching is the national past time of the railroad.
Oh, man, is that true! That, and spreading rumors.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Bitching is the NATIONAL PASTIME period! Doesn't matter what you are doing or not doing for that matter.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
oltmannd Oh, man, is that true! That, and spreading rumors.
Telegraph, telephone, tellarailroader.
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