modoc railroad academy, and texas railroading

[engine49]

sorry if this is the wrong thread to put itin, but it seemed like it is in the right thread being about full size trains.

so im finishing up high school an graduating early in the fall, an i just found out i may get accepted after all to the modoc railroad academy in the summer as they still had open seats for conductor training classes.

but after i get all that an conductor certified, do class 1 railroads recognize it, or do you have to be certified by them on hands training?

and then i want to try an stay near my hometown or in the state of tx, ( currently around austin, san antonio area. )

does anyone know if working around the austin sub, lockhart sub, or any bnsf subs from san antonio to dallas would a good idea ( as in i would like to hear about your experience working the areas please )

thanks,
edward

 

[JCitron]

sorry if this is the wrong thread to put itin, but it seemed like it is in the right thread being about full size trains.

so im finishing up high school an graduating early in the fall, an i just found out i may get accepted after all to the modoc railroad academy in the summer as they still had open seats for conductor training classes.

but after i get all that an conductor certified, do class 1 railroads recognize it, or do you have to be certified by them on hands training?

and then i want to try an stay near my hometown or in the state of tx, ( currently around austin, san antonio area. )

does anyone know if working around the austin sub, lockhart sub, or any bnsf subs from san antonio to dallas would a good idea ( as in i would like to hear about your experience working the areas please )

thanks,
edward

Hi Edward,

You are better off applying directly with the railroad and stay away from schools like this. If you are hired by the railroad, you will be sent to school to learn these skills, and the cost will be a lot less - like free, all expenses paid!

The other thing too is MODOC will show you the "book" method on everything, but in reality the railroad will have their own way of doing things in addition to their own book methods. From what I've read over at Railroad.net in the General Employment forums, people rarely get hired after they attend one of these schools, so as I said get hired first and go for the free ride.

John

 

[007007]

What he said. Railroad academies instantly label you a "foamer" as well. Not that there is anything wrong with it but starting on the railroad with that over your head isn't an easy task.

 

[engine49]

but when the school posted there records, as accurate as they say it is 97% passing rate that also come out with a job.

and sorry for the stuipidity but what do you mean by foamer?

i thought the schools were to help get you better prepared?
and they would also get you certified with your conductor and or locomotive licence/certifacation?

 

[Adamovic]

A foamer is a term that means railfan or someone who is overly excited over trains.

 

[UPRails834]

I just looked at the Modoc website and the cost of their training IMHO would be a waste of money. $6500 to train as a conductor and an additional $20000 to train as an Engineer is way too much money!

You can apply with several railroads and if you are hired you will be trained for free and will get paid a training wage while in the classroom and will be paid the regular starting wage while doing your on the job training. Does Modoc pay you while you are in training? I don't think so!

Another reason I would stay away is the fact that you are NOT guaranteed a job once you have completed their program. You would be subject to the same interview process as any one else applying for a job with a particular railroad and don't you believe just because you completed Modoc's training you would have a better chance than the guy applying without any training. Railroads like to mold and shape their employees to their way of thinking. In addition whether you went to Modoc or not you still would have to go through a training process on the railroad that hired you and learn the local territory and that railroad's individual rules. Basically Modoc is an expensive middle man that really isn't necessary.

Another thing that I couldn't figure out that I saw on the Modoc website was this statement:

[SIZE=-7]Q: What type of certification or license will I get when I graduate?
A: Conductors will get a Certified Conductor Card. Engineer’s get a Class One - Train Service Locomotive Engineer License. Both are valid for two years after issuance.[/SIZE]

That's odd because an Engineer certification is valid for three years.

One other thing and the most important of all Union Pacific is hiring right now for Train Crew in Ft. Worth TX so head over to www.uprr.com and click on "Employees" and look on the right side of the page where it says "Careers at Union Pacific" and click there. Apply for free and good luck!

Current Locomotive Engineer
Union Pacific Railroad

 

[engine49]

thank you very much, i had been looking the last few days an nothing, an magically you told me its about 2 hrsfrom home 2.

thank you for informing me of the waste of time modoc is, i just always saw it as a tarde school that would further advance you in railroading an put you a step ahead.

 

[Klinger]

What he said. Railroad academies instantly label you a "foamer" as well. Not that there is anything wrong with it but starting on the railroad with that over your head isn't an easy task.

Yea, I heard about Rail Schools, but opted to try and get the job on my own. I made the mistake of telling BNSF that I was a volunteer at a Railroad Museum, I think that helped with being turned down

However, being a Foamer works if you start looking at tourist railroads where you are working with old equipment. It takes a certain amount of passion to keep old decrepit equipment going. Then again, my railroad, the Georgetown Loop, also has a deep working relationship with the Colorado Railroad Museum where I started off, so that helped I think

And honestly, I like the tourist idea better, I get to come home to the same house every night, I work about 10 hours a day, I don't get stuck on the road and in hotels. So, it has its perks, but the pay and benefits packages with a Class 1 is better for sure. But, working for an FRA regulated Tourist Railroad is a nice stepping stone towards bigger and better things

And yes, I get called a foamer almost every day, It's a running joke here. Thankfully, I am not the only one with that label at the Loop

Good Luck with your Railroading Adventure

-Will
Georgetown Loop Railroad


PS. I got paid for my Conductor Training, I get paid for my Fireman Training next week, and will get paid for Engineer training eventually. Even BNSF and UP pay about $800 a week to train you for 15 weeks. Apply directly, don't go to school. Wow....never thought I would say that

 

[engine49]

thank you for that, and coming from someone that had gone through the interview process...

so im guessing you don't want to mention alot about railroading or volunteer work for railroading themes, as it is a turn down helper?