I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?

Hi, all!I live in North Ireland. I am 13 years old. In a few years I hope to move to America and get a job on BNSF as a conductor or engineer in one of the depots along the Chicago-Seattle route(HiLine, Milk River and Kootenai subs etc.)What qualification would I need for the posts and what are the training programs involved?Thanks,Thomas

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RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, bigbadCN_man, Nov-30-04, 06:12 PM, (1) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, The MP36er, Nov-30-04, 06:37 PM, (2) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, BNSF4999, Nov-30-04, 08:03 PM, (3) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, Vern, Dec-01-04, 03:22 AM, (4) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, James, Dec-01-04, 03:52 AM, (5) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, The MP36er, Dec-01-04, 02:45 PM, (6) Thanks! Keep it coming!, MariasRailfan, Dec-01-04, 03:09 PM, (7) RE: Thanks! Keep it coming!, James, Dec-01-04, 03:51 PM, (8) RE: Thanks! Keep it coming!, MariasRailfan, Dec-01-04, 05:18 PM, (10) RE: Thanks! Keep it coming!, PatchCrew, Dec-01-04, 10:48 PM, (11) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, bigbadCN_man, Dec-01-04, 03:56 PM, (9) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, James, Dec-02-04, 12:16 PM, (12) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, Stooopid_person, Dec-04-04, 02:13 AM, (19) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, The MP36er, Dec-04-04, 10:06 PM, (20) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, trainboy01, Dec-04-04, 11:49 PM, (21) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, OCrailfan, Dec-02-04, 02:13 PM, (13) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, Brown, Dec-03-04, 08:24 AM, (14) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, EMDdriver, Dec-03-04, 09:04 AM, (15) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, MariasRailfan, Dec-03-04, 03:05 PM, (16) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, BNSF4999, Dec-03-04, 03:55 PM, (17) RE: I would like to be an engineer! But what do I do?, Brown, Dec-03-04, 06:12 PM, (18)

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Well, just from information I have gathered off of the forums (I am only 13 as well) that it is good to not mention that your are a model railroader, railfan ect. and don't claim you know how things work. The other guys (and gals) could give you a better idea. Just stay in school. Nowdays you need grade 12 for every job (I am in Canada) I can think of right off of the bat(unless you work as a student).
Cheers,
Morgan

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OK, another 13-year-old adding to the excitement.<http://www.ble.org/info/engineer.asp>Joe LeMay

One of us Railfans from Downers Grove, IL

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For BNSF you must at least meet this requirement (as with every other railroad.) You MUST be 18. Dont say anything about liking trains. Get a very very clean driving record. (This is what I think prevented me from a job with them.)
And finally, if you know no one who already works for BNSF good luck getting preference. Also, dont expect to get the job right away. railroads like people with solid work histories, esp people who have been in military service, construction, etc. Jobs that required on call time are a huge plus. Be sure to stress safety in all you do.
Dont think I forgot much....
But above all,Its not what you know, its who you know.get connections now. they'll be priceless when you go looking for a job. and no, thats not just in the railroad.Ive been trying for a year and have been turned down by BNSF, UP, and NS. You must be persistent.Kevin V.
-President/CEO of Illinois Northern Ry Inc, subsidiary of The Midwest Regional Railways Corp.Illinois Railway Museum Conductor Trainee

Ohio Southern is on the way...coming when I get sick of the IN!

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If you are planning on moving to the US you will also need to get a work permit/visa possibly even a sponser to emigrate permanently, assuming they let you in.Might be better off looking for a railway career here in the UK.If the US railroads have the same conditions as UK for tain drivers you will also need to be physically fit and have perfect (20/20) uncorrected vision in both eyes.

Chief Track Welder

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I was just talking to my freind who works for Union Pacific in Mississippi,He said "Naw you don't need to have perfect vision but you will have to wear Glasses."Check out my Websitehttp://www.freewebs.com/surfliner01/index.htm

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I was gonna say...I've definately seen some engineers with glasses! Joe LeMay

One of us Railfans from Downers Grove, IL

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Thanks for all your advice and points!Keep 'em coming!

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Also if ya work for UP,UP has GPS on all/most of there trains so its preety easy work I say. You don't gotta say dispatcher ,bah,bah,bah. So you get what I mean.Check out my Websitehttp://www.freewebs.com/surfliner01/index.htm

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Good point! Never knew that!

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Also if ya work for UP,UP has GPS on all/most of there trains so its preety easy work I say.How does GPS make the job easy James?You don't gotta say dispatcher ,bah,bah,bah. So you get what I mean.No I don't get what you mean.The best advice I can give is get a good education and build up some work experience on other jobs. On UP you hire out as a Trainman first and then when there are openings you can apply for Engineer training. And not to sound negative or to discourage you but of the 500 or so Trainmen hired in the L.A. area in the past 14 months I haven't met any who were only 18 and most of the new guys have prior military experience which is a big plus.PatchCrew
UP Engineer

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Oh come on MP36er, I have been around for about a year and a half and things havent got anymore exciting that I have noticed
Morgan

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-02-04 AT 12:17 PM (EST)

In either words you don't have to say to the dispatcher im at Milepost 334.01 and so on,and you only have to contact the dispatcher when you stop your train or something else, because the Dispatcher knows where you are at thanks to the GPS or whatever.Check out my Websitehttp://www.freewebs.com/surfliner01/index.htm

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>Well, just from information I have gathered off of the
>forums (I am only 13 as well) that it is good to not mention
>that your are a model railroader, railfan ect. Hmmm... Why is it good not to tell them you like trains?

-----You are reading my signature now, don't waste your time reading it!-----
Or probably, maybe you should waste your time reading it.
Eh, where did my signature go?
Oh, here it is, the one you are reading right now? Can't you see it? I know I know, it's probably too bright to see it.
Hey, look at my avatar, nice right? I drew it with my own hands holding the mouse in Paint, with the pencil tool(and the Filling tool!)!
It's a picture of me in Planet Stooopid, where everything is the same as what you call "Earth" except that we are called "aliens" in your planet.
Anyway, I warned you not to waste time reading my signature! You have just wasted probably about 30 seconds reading it, where you could have spent the time doing better things, like maybe reading the next post below if there is one...

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>
>Hmmm... Why is it good not to tell them you like trains? Cuz then they think you are some geek who won't be able to handle the job. Personally, I'd think that would help somewhat, but railroads hate foamers, it's a fact of life. Joe LeMay

One of us Railfans from Downers Grove, IL

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I don't think mentioning you like trains (modeling, etc.) is a bad idea. I recently sent an e-mail to The Puget Sound & Pacific in Washington about job imformation, with references to liking railroads/railfanning, and their GM responded by stating he liked my enthusiasm! In fact, he gave me the number for the yard master so I could get a tour of the main yards! Mentioning your hobbies can be quite a plus, I think anyway.Josh

Colorado & Northwestern Climax #2, S/N 167-
First Class C Climax,
Only Narrow Gauge Class C Climax built. -My favorite Locomotive

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Welcome to the club Thomas! I am 13 too and looking at the Strasburg Railroad in SE Pennsylvania for an engineer job. Though I have to wait til I'm 18, they let you work there as a conductor when you're 16 (I might take that job when I'm 16!). I guess 5 years may be a while but will be worth it!

Michael
Virtual Morgan Run Shop, bring the Ohio Central to MSTS

My Photos at RailPictures.net!

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If your looking for a carrer as a Locomotive Engineer you have to finsh school these train simulator are really good for job expernce .Also if you want to become a U.S citisen you have to apply then wait about 5yrs or something . 3 if you are marred

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main thing is just finish school and have experience

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Hey!I found this link on Union Pacific's website, a job called Train Service. Is this engineer or conductor or what?
http://www.careerlink.org/0/0/5/7/interfac.htm

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Generally you start out as a freight conductor for a year or two then go on to engineer training after that.
Kevin V.
-President/CEO of Illinois Northern Ry Inc, subsidiary of The Midwest Regional Railways Corp.Illinois Railway Museum Conductor Trainee

Ohio Southern is on the way...coming when I get sick of the IN!

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I wonder what how hard the traning is ?

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