Other railroad jobs

I've been noticing that my dad has been gone alot lately w/ the BNSF and i was just wondering what other jobs are out there w/ the railroad that pays good and i wouldn't have to leave home so much? It's kinda that time for me to start looking for a future after high school and i've kinda narrowed it down to the Marine Corp. or the railroad. I just don't really know a whole lot about the life or what is out there on the various RR companies and i can't really ask my dad @ the moment....lol..thanks for the info guysKyle Penn
kfp@vvm.com
*I just wanna go to sleep and never wake up...i'm so tired of life*

"all my life i've been searching for something"

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RE: Other railroad jobs.., BNSF_Clovis, Sep-03-03, 00:24 AM, (1) RE: Other railroad jobs.., andrewpickell, Sep-03-03, 01:32 AM, (2) RE: Other railroad jobs.., heavymetal91, Sep-03-03, 04:27 AM, (3) RE: Other railroad jobs.., GMOF3A, Sep-03-03, 06:39 AM, (4) RE: Other railroad jobs.., heavymetal91, Sep-03-03, 08:07 AM, (5) RE: Other railroad jobs.., Newton Kid, Sep-03-03, 10:07 AM, (6) RE: Other railroad jobs.., beltontigers, Sep-03-03, 10:12 AM, (7) RE: Other railroad jobs.., RevnJeff, Sep-03-03, 11:29 AM, (8) RE: Other railroad jobs.., WestSlopeRRfan, Sep-03-03, 02:54 PM, (9) RE: Other railroad jobs.., heavymetal91, Sep-03-03, 03:53 PM, (10) RE: Other railroad jobs.., heavymetal91, Sep-03-03, 04:08 PM, (11) RE: Other railroad jobs.., Buddy, Sep-03-03, 04:28 PM, (12) RE: Other railroad jobs.., beltontigers, Sep-03-03, 05:25 PM, (13) RE: Other railroad jobs.., Knarf, Sep-03-03, 11:24 PM, (14) RE: Other railroad jobs.., DRGWK36, Sep-04-03, 08:34 AM, (15) RE: Other railroad jobs.., timetraveller, Sep-04-03, 09:37 AM, (16) RE: Other railroad jobs.., Newton Kid, Sep-04-03, 10:53 AM, (17) RE: Other railroad jobs.., heavymetal91, Sep-04-03, 04:07 PM, (18) RE: Other railroad jobs.., chazlee1, Sep-04-03, 04:30 PM, (19) RE: Other railroad jobs.., timetraveller, Sep-04-03, 04:54 PM, (20) RE: Other railroad jobs.., beltontigers, Sep-04-03, 05:50 PM, (21) RE: Other railroad jobs.., timetraveller, Sep-04-03, 06:07 PM, (22) RE: Other railroad jobs.., heavymetal91, Sep-04-03, 08:15 PM, (23) RE: Other railroad jobs.., WestSlopeRRfan, Sep-04-03, 09:33 PM, (24) RE: Other railroad jobs.., hdpayne, Sep-13-03, 03:54 PM, (25)

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Well you could try for an office job. Perhaps a job as an assistant trainmaster or dispatcher. But the railroad is always a 24-7 industry so you can still expect to work nights and holidays.
Chris S.

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KyleMaybe you'll find some direction or information at these two sites...http://www.sait.ab.ca/academicsupport/centres/crtt/default.htmhttp://www.irtcanada.net/By the way, I'm in the SAIT RTC program.- Andrew

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Kyle I agree with both Chris and Andrew recruiters from companies like to see some sort of degree on your resume even though sometimes it's not required. I was reading an article in the local paper here, they surveyed 100 recruiters that visited the college here (NAU) Northern Arizona University, and all of them said that they are more inclined to hire someone who has put forth the effort to earn a degree, because it shows that you are willing to put effort into your job. I myself have applied with both BNSF and Union Pacific and both companies said no, but i'm not giving up. I know why they both said no and, and thats because I haven't had a job in 3 years due to health problems, but I still intend to pursue my dream job which is becoming a locomotive engineer. For now I intend to go back to school and earn a degree in Railroad Operations and see what happens. A friend of mine gave me some advice he said opportunities aren't usually just handed to you, you have to create them for yourself. So my advice is this pursue your dreams relentlessly until they can be pursued no further.
Good Luck My friend Joel Dunsmore

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Kyle, let me tell you what all those who worked for the railroad told me when I was your age thinking of the same careers..."Don't work for the railroad....go to school, get yourself an education, keep trains as a hobby and you'll do well".I wished I'd listened to them then...

Paul Fowler...
www.sacramentolocomotiveworks.com
www.mstsgmo.com

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My grandfather was an engineer based out of Alliance, NE, and he loved his job, so working for a railroad can't be all black. I remember when I was 4 years old, my grandfather had come in from a run the night before and had to park his train on a siding outside of the yards, because the yards were full and they would send someone out to bring it in later, anyway he drove, me two of my cousins, and my dad out to where the train was parked. I got out of the car started to walk across the tracks with my dad, and stopped dead in my tracks(no pun intended), and just stared. I was totally mezmerized by those 4 huge black, and green,and white metal monsters. Grandpa picked me up and helped me climb up the metal steps onto the front porch and then all four of us went into the cab. The locomotive was a C30-7, and grandpa let me sit in the engineers set and let me play with a few switches turning the headlight on and off, sounding the horn, and ringing the bell. In my opinion it doesn't really matter what we think. If kyle wants to work for a railroad I say go for it. It seems to me that kyle is looking for encouragement not discouragement. My dad called me on the phone and told me that he thinks my going to school to study railroad operations and working for either BNSF or Union Pacific is a hairbrained idea, well you know what? SCREW HIM!!! I'm almost 34 years old with a wife an 2 kids i'm gonna do what will make me and my family happy, as i'm sure kyle will.Encouragement is one of the seeds of success
Discouragement can be the dark cloud of failure
Joel

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Kyle,I have talked with a number of people working for the railroads. There are a number of jobs where people have a chance at staying home. However, by far the majority require quite a bit of travel. The other problem with many of the beginning jobs is that you are laid off. UP lays off a tremendous number of people who are on their track gangs from November to March. Many train crew members with low seniority are laid off when traffic slows down in the winter. The first few years can be very rough.My recommendation is to get a college education. Two reasons: The majority of stay at home jobs with the railroad are in their offices and almost all those jobs require a college education. The second is that if you don't like working for them a college education gives you a better shot at a job some other place.

Newton Kid

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-03-03 AT 10:15 AM (EDT)

I had definately planned on going to college...so definately the Marines or the railroad is gonna hafta wait until i graduate from college...i'm just tryin to see what is out there as far as railroad careers. I just don't think i could do what my dad is doing...he had been gone pretty much all last week doing some RCO class and now the BNSF has him on the road as soon as he gets his 8 hour rest...seems pretty rough...but then again he loves it so i guess it depends on your outlook on the jobI hadn't really put much thought into my future career until just recently. Being a senior in high school and all, this is definately been on my mind. I guess right now i should worry more about finding a college then anything...cause my plans that i had to go to Baylor have been shot considering all the scandals there. I definately plan on going to college nxt yr, that will open alot more doors in case i decide the railroad isn't for meKyle Penn
kfp@vvm.com
*I just wanna go to sleep and never wake up...i'm so tired of life*

"all my life i've been searching for something"

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Kyle,
One thought is to consider making the military your first choice...If you go into the military right after highschool, they will help pay your way to college. Talk with a recruiter. All that will cost you is time. If paying for college is a concern, don't leave this option out.Also, regardless of what all of us say or think; you have to pursue what you believe is in your best interests. Our advice is just that, advice, take it or leave it. But above all, trust your heart, your instincts. If something just feels wrong, it probably is!

Jeff
CNW Fan

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JoelUnfortunately, when your Grandfather worked for the railroad it was better than it is today. I worked for a subcontractor of the railroads (sorry Kyle it didn't pay well) and chatted with alot of train crews. They all told me the same thing "don't work for the railroad". I understand where they are coming from. They have been through several mergers, seen lots of friends laid off, and worked the same lousy hours for 20+ years. Would you be grumpy too? you bet!! Now, the new people hired on have a different story. The enjoy the work, yeah the hours stink, but it pays well. You definately want to check out UP's website right now. They are hiring ALL over the place!!Good Luck. Nick
A fellow train service dreamer.

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>Unfortunately, when your Grandfather worked for the railroad
>it was better than it is today. Where are you getting your info from? My grandfather had 40 years employment with CB&Q an BN before retiring in 1981 from what he's told me things are much better now than they were 20 - 30 years ago and yes he still talks to current engineers including a friend of mine I have known since I was 4 years old. What i'm trying to say is it's up to the individual person on how they feel about their job. I'm sure there are people who work for the railroad that love it and those who hate it. hehe i just lost my train of thought feel free to agree or disagree or whatever, but as with any company there is always a chance of getting laid off whether it's flipping burgers at burger king or being president of a large company if i was concerned about being laid off i wouldn't be taking the steps to go after the job in the first place. Lousy hours? I would take lousy hours over sitting at home doing nothing anyday. When forced to sit at home due to health problems it's fun for the first few months then it becomes very boring and you get a little nuts. Joel

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I'm sorry guy's discouragement is a real sore spot for me. My mother uses on me as a form of control to keep me under her thumb even now she still tries to use it. Ok i'll shut up now Joel

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No one has mentioned the background jobs it takes to keep them rolling Ie: diesel mechanics, electricians, communication techs, etc all of which require specialty educations, if not degrees. Like was pointed out above the service is a good place to further your education. Being ex-Navy I am biased in their direction as I came out of the Navy with an education as a machinist and refrigeration mechanic and feel they have the best schools with the most jobs that can be used in the civilian work force. If you are like I was with no hope of going to college the service is certianly a place to get an education. Byron De WintonP.S. A long time ago I figured out their are no "GOOD" jobs out there, only some that are better than others!

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-03-03 AT 05:26 PM (EDT)

If i join the military...i wanna join as an officer..so collge is a definate b4 either job..though right now i'm pretty discouraged w/ school and life so i just wanna get as far away from this place as i canKyle Penn
kfp@vvm.com
*I just wanna go to sleep and never wake up...i'm so tired of life*

"all my life i've been searching for something"

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Just do what makes YOU happy. Happines in your life and career is what YOU make of it. Every career has its ups and downs, so you will have to weigh the good with the bad and draw your own conclusion. Good luck and I wish you well in your success your future.

"Handbrake High" graduate
Frank Schwalbach, Jr.
trains_tornadoes@juno.com

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"I just wanna go to sleep and never wake up...i'm so tired of life"Hmm. From this, maybe you should choose the Marines - that'll certainly give you the chance to never wake up. I'm being a bit sarcastic there, but I'm not sure whether there should be a smiley or a frown - way too serious.School and life are supposed to be discouraging when you're close to HS graduation, and you're supposed to want to get as far away as you can (another reason to join the Marines ). The best thing about getting a bit (or a lot) older is that you get more "perspective" on life, meaning that you can remember what it was like as a teen/adult but don't have to go through it again. Don't despair! It gets better!The military can be an excellent career or career starter. Two of my best friends were in the Marines and the Navy and did quite well with them. I think you're definitely on the right track wanting to head to college. If nothing else, it gives you a very different outlook - different people to talk to and a broader world to see. You'll probably end up working in an area that you never expected, once you see a bit more of what's out there. Hang in there - although it seems like it now, HS doesn't last forever.Andy

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Great advice, Andy.Kyle, I joined the Air Force in 1966 (I know, a long time ago), and it set the course for my life as a result. I was interested and good in electronics and signed up for that. They trained me for a solid year and sent me to the Middle East where we ran a top secret monitoring site in the Iranian mountains. Imagine doing that at age 19?? I was then sent to the states and was trained on mainframe IBM computers, which led to an 18 year civilian career after my Air Force hitch was over.My son had a similar experience, now aged 33. He spent two years in the Air Force in the early 1990s. He was trained in satellite data communications, which led to a civilian job with Antarctic Support Associates, running the data communciations site at Black Island near McMurdo Station, Antarctica, funneling data into and out of the continent. Now he works for a large firm as a network administrator, making big bucks. If you do join the service, I would suggest getting into something challenging. Don't be a grunt. Make them commit to something before you sign.Also, if I can offer this advice, don't look at a career as a life sentence. That's what my generation did (I am 55 years old). You DON'T HAVE TO DO the same thing for 40 years. In mid life, I quit the high paying computer field and started a home repair business. One employee - me. I was always good with my hands, fixing stuff, and I needed a change. I didn't become a millionaire, but it was a great experience and taught me many life lessons which I needed to learn, that I never would have learned had I stayed in one career all my life. I have found that the most interesting people in life are the ones who have varied life experience. See and do as much as you can. Don't limit yourself.Follow your dreams, Kyle. Don't let anyone take them away from you. Take some chances, go some places. Try different things. The world will seem a different place in a couple of years. High school will be a remote dream.

Bill
http://msts-trains.tripod.com

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Kyle,One other thought. A Marines number on job is Infantry. Your specialty in the Marines will always be second to that.The training you can receive in the military can be of great benefit when you get out. But, you might want to give consideration to one of the other services. There are some really good technical jobs in both the Navy and Air Force. The training and experience you receive with those jobs can be taken with you when you get out. They also have some good ways to build credit towards college, if you would want to do that when you get out. Please don't take this stand as anti-Marine. They are a great group and do an excellent job of looking out for each other. It is just that they don't have near the technical training that you can get in the other services.Look at your strengths and see if you can get an idea of what you want and are interested in. Then talk with the recruiters and let them show you how they can satisfy those needs.Most of all good luck and let us know what you decide.

Newton Kid

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I'm beginning to think you all are right, so if I offended anyone, or made anyone mad by my other post's on this thread I sincerely apologize. Started thinking about railroading last night, and maybe I am trying to relive my grandfather days as an RR engineer. Railroading
is starting to sound very risky from what you all have said, maybe too risky for me especially with a family, so i may consider doing something else. As for kyle think about the Military think about college and weigh both, both have thier good things and bad things, but don't feel like you have to be rushed to make a decision, take some time talk to your family , talk to your friends, talk to a school counselor, and make sure you keep communication lines open with your dad and talk to him, if he says i don't have time, make him make time, talk to him about this. Most dads will want to chat with their sons about the future.
Good Luck Joel

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-04-03 AT 04:30 PM (EDT)

Kyle: Take this word of advice from a 33 year veteran engineer of BN: get your education; that's something you surely need. Then if railroadings in your blood, there are other places to work if Train and Engine service don't suit your liking. I would use the Armed Services to help pay for your tuition, it's like getting paid to go to school. Then apply what you learned in the Armed Forces (diesel mechanic, or maybe Communication Tech) toward your railroad career. These positions usually have set times and days off. Don't let anyone tell you the RR isn't a good job. True, things have changed, some worse than others, but it still has many advantages. Health insurance is excellent on the RR. If you can muddle through the first few years with the winter layoffs, etc., it can still provide a decent job. The RR industry is one of the few industries left that won't fold every two years. If you like railroading, just do what your feelings tell you. Only YOU know what you REALLY want. My feelings are, if you have to go to work everyday, what job would I be happy going to? For me, getting on those big engines every day and running down the track makes me happy. Sure, the hours are lousy most of the time, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Happy Rails,
Chaz
(BNSF Engineer)

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Joel, if railroading is your dream, I'd go for it. Hopefully your family is supportive of your dream and the time away from them it might cost. Risk is everywhere. You can't escape it, even crossing the street tomorrow.

Bill
http://msts-trains.tripod.com

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I may get laughed @ but my main goal right now is to get outta college and join the Marines to be a fighter pilot...i know some may say the USAF but the tradition and prestige of the Marines just draws me in.The whole reason i started lookin @ the railroad is i can't help but laugh @ how much my dad seems to love it even though he's always sayin he hates being gone, like he has to miss this weekend when i go hunting..i know the ol' fart loves his job. Kyle Penn
kfp@vvm.com
*I just wanna go to sleep and never wake up...i'm so tired of life*

"all my life i've been searching for something"

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That's what it's all about, Kyle. Lovin' what you do. Good luck to you.

Bill
http://msts-trains.tripod.com

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Thanks for the advice. this post and post #19 along with a conversation with my wife, made me realize that I need to just focus on railroading. I have my famlies support in this including my motherlaw. (Yes i do get along with my motherinlaw) hehe. My wife has told me if I don't try it i might be a bitter old man for not trying, and besides I won't know if I will like it until I try it.Thanks againJoel

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I'm beginning to think you all are right, so if I offended anyone, or made anyone mad by my other post's on this thread I sincerely apologizeDon't worry about offending anyone. You just spoke your mind. You are free to your own opinion. You didn't offend me. Good luck with your dream. You know what, I'm of the same mindset. Nick

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One thing to look for when selecting a college is to find one with a Marine ROTC detachment for a possible scholarship. You might want to look into the Naval Academy as well.

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