Questions about a Career in Locomotive Engineering

[overkill650]

Hey hows it going. So I now have chosen my career as to become a locomotive engineer. I'm 19, and currently studying at a community college towards a liberal arts degree. I will graduate fall 2012.

I've looked heavily into the field of locomotive engineering and love it. I've heard stories both good and bad about railroads, but nothing will change my mind about my desire.

My question is that what are the requirements for becoming a locomotive engineer. I looked at a bunch of schools, and some have schoolroom-only type classes, and one called MODOC railroad academy was a schoolroom and hands-on type class.

Now of course I'll be going to MODOC, because theres nothing better than hands on training. what i dont get is does the MODOC railroad academy give a degree in locomotive engineering or just a liscense?

All input and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[JCitron]

Hey hows it going. So I now have chosen my career as to become a locomotive engineer. I'm 19, and currently studying at a community college towards a liberal arts degree. I will graduate fall 2012.

I've looked heavily into the field of locomotive engineering and love it. I've heard stories both good and bad about railroads, but nothing will change my mind about my desire.

My question is that what are the requirements for becoming a locomotive engineer. I looked at a bunch of schools, and some have schoolroom-only type classes, and one called MODOC railroad academy was a schoolroom and hands-on type class.

Now of course I'll be going to MODOC, because there's nothing better than hands on training. what i don't get is does the MODOC railroad academy give a degree in locomotive engineering or just a license?

All input and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I'm not sure how many other people will answer your questions, but I do know there are a few that have, or still work in the industry here. I actually applied for a freight conductor's position at CSX just before the big downturn. I was accepted and ready for interview, but all the jobs were pulled.

Anyway, your best bet, if you want to get into the industry, is to go to one of the Class 1s such as CSX, NS, UP, KCS, CP, or even BNSF. They will bring you in as a conductor first then you're usually required, as in mandatory, to move up and certify for the engineer's position.

The other thing to keep in mind is these companies will certify you at their expense. MODC, may or may not be worth your money, and as much as they say it, there's no guarantee that you'll get a job after graduating from there. You have a better chance if you go through REDI with CSX or the equivalent with NS or some other big company. They'll make the vested interest in you as an employee, and usually you'll learn things their way rather than how it's done in the book, which is totally different or not as close. This is what I was told by others in the industry, and if you're looking for more information on this, check you the railroad employment general discussion over at the forms on Railroad.net www.railroad.net.com

Good luck. This is a good time to join the railroad industry with all the growth that's happening right now. Keep in mind though the hours are long, and sometimes sporadic initially. Meaning you have to work up the job boards, and except the grungy jobs because you're on the low-end of the seniority scale.

The work is also quite difficult physically, not like a technical job where you sit in front of computers. As a freight conductor, and later an engineer, you'll be subjected to dangerous work conditions in all kinds of weather on all kinds of uneven terrain, and at various times during the day. Think about this carefully. Suppose you're assigned a northern route in the winter and a coupler breaks 80 cars back in the long freight.

As a conductor you'll have to walk back and carry the replacement coupler, which is no featherweight either at 85 lbs, with you the length of the train, then replace the broken coupler. This can happen any time, and even during a snowstorm, so keep in mind that you're carrying this coupler in 2 feet of snow up to your knees along rough ballast in the cold, dead, winter with wind howling in your face at 50 mph and snow drifting all over the place.

There are many advantages too, and if you like working with your hands, outdoors, seeing different areas of the country, and being away from home a lot, well this is for you. I'm not trying to deter you from this, and being young, you'll have a better chance at this than I would today.

Anyway, here are the websites for NS and CSX.

www.csx.com
www.nscorp.com

Both companies have an employee/job search so if you're interested anyway, sign up here and get on the list. I was told to keep applying even when there are no positions open. Eventually you'll get in, even it it's not for the job you want right now, you can always move up the ladder if you want later on.

John

 

[overkill650]

Thanks for all the input, John. It really helps. And I realize what conditions you have to work in. But I'm a guy thats totally into working on cars, bikes, quads, engines, etc. like i can rebuild an entire small block v8 in less than a week. I'm just good with tools. and I love it. and as far back as i can remember every winter i was outside evry chance i got. I live in long island, NY, out in the suburbs, so I'm used to nasty winters.

like i've had to push a stalled atv through 1-2 feet for snow 2 miles. took a long time but yeah its crazy but im pretty used to it. thank you for the tips and heads up.

ill check out those sites you mentioned now, and i'll keep you posted

thanks again.

 

[JCitron]

Thanks for all the input, John. It really helps. And I realize what conditions you have to work in. But I'm a guy thats totally into working on cars, bikes, quads, engines, etc. like i can rebuild an entire small block v8 in less than a week. I'm just good with tools. and I love it. and as far back as i can remember every winter i was outside evry chance i got. I live in long island, NY, out in the suburbs, so I'm used to nasty winters.

like i've had to push a stalled atv through 1-2 feet for snow 2 miles. took a long time but yeah its crazy but im pretty used to it. thank you for the tips and heads up.

ill check out those sites you mentioned now, and i'll keep you posted

thanks again.

Well I'm glad you feel you can do it. I noticed after I posted that you're from Long Island. What part? I have family in Plainview and Huntington. I used to spend my summers in Hampton Bays. I never knew what this was about when I as 12. Geez the summer in the Hamptons, fishing nearly every day then spending my afternoons on the beach!

Take care, and I sure look forward to an update.

John

 

[overkill650]

I'm in Dix Hills. Its exit 51 off the LIE. I'm near the intersection of I-495 (LIE) and Deer Park Ave (RT-231). I just got done applying to a Freight Conductor Job in southern new jersey. I'm now applying to other Freight Conductor Jobs in Upstate NY. These jobs are for CSX. says starting pay is $43,000 avg. which isnt great but its a start. i hear locomotive engineers can earn upto around $150,000. that would be nice. lol getting paid six figures to drive a train

the application process is rediculously long, but its worth it.

 

[djt]

I just got done applying to a Freight Conductor Job in southern new jersey. I'm now applying to other Freight Conductor Jobs in Upstate NY. These jobs are for CSX. says starting pay is $43,000 avg. which isnt great but its a start. i hear locomotive engineers can earn upto around $150,000. that would be nice. lol getting paid six figures to drive a train

I would suggest that if you are looking at a career in the railroad industry you consider passenger service instead of freight. If you can land a job with LIRR (Metro North or Amtrak if you can deal with working out of Manhattan) you’ll have much more scheduled work.

I spent most of twenties working an extra board in freight service and I can tell you that spending 12 hours a day in the cab of locomotive and living out of a grip and mostly away from your home terminal gets old very quickly.

In 2005-2006 I taught new hire CSXT train service employees operating, safety, air brake and train handling rules as well as conducting some of the hiring sessions for employment in Selkirk, Dewitt, Boston and North Jersey among other locations on the Albany division. I don’t think that even 20-30% of the students that went through the classes stayed much past getting marked up. Once they get a taste of that extra board and getting called to go to work on weekends, holidays, bad weather or good, 1AM or 3PM, not many last very long.

If they are hiring in the Boston area ([FONT=&quot]Framingham, Readville, as far as I know Beacon Park terminal in Boston is getting shut down[/FONT]) you might be better off working out of there. Regular jobs (local freight service) usually went pretty cheap (low seniority) in that area and you would have a better chance at escaping the extra board in those locations.

As far as that $150,000 per year figure goes, don’t expect to see it any time soon. The only place on the Albany division that you’re going to see that kind of money is in the long pool between Selkirk and Buffalo (high mileage runs) and those jobs are all taken by some very high seniority men. The only time I’d see Buffalo when I worked out of Selkirk was once and while in the summer months (when the vacations started) getting lucky off the extra board list.

 

[AJ_Fox]

My suggestion would be to brush up on your mechanical and diesel engine technology. A good course in Physics would be most helpful. Driving or conducting a train that weighs a lot can be challenging without studying the Physics. As they say in California, "it ain't like driving a bus".

Cheers

AJ

 

[djt]

My suggestion would be to brush up on your mechanical and diesel engine technology. A good course in Physics would be most helpful.

There’s plenty of that in once you get to engineer school, which starts with a month of classroom training before you even get behind the throttle and your six month plus qualifying time.


Since you start as a trainmen (conductor) engine service is going to be a ways off (depending on your seniority and terminal needs). Understanding and passing the operating rules exam, complying with the safety rules, physically working around the equipment and getting qualified on the road are the first hurtles.

 

[Euphod]

My question is that what are the requirements for becoming a locomotive engineer. (snip) All input and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Perhaps it is like most Union jobs. Save up a grand or two, get a meeting with the old cigar chompers that head the Local. Sit down and tell them you'd like to sign on as a conductor. As they berate you for your audacity and start spitting about how long the list is, and how "you just can't walk in here and..." take out the cash and start fanning yourself with it, as if you are hot. You will notice their eyes and jowls and tiny little heads start to follow the money as you wave it, as if they were watching a tennis game. About the time the cigars start to slip out of their moist pie holes, someone will produce the paperwork, and reach to take the money. I mean shake your hand.

Welcome to the club!

True story, except it was only $500.00, was about 30 years ago, and was a different union.

Best of luck to you.

 

[baz66]

Ed You didn't say you smoked
baz

 

[overkill650]

I would suggest that if you are looking at a career in the railroad industry you consider passenger service instead of freight. If you can land a job with LIRR (Metro North or Amtrak if you can deal with working out of Manhattan) you’ll have much more scheduled work.

I spent most of twenties working an extra board in freight service and I can tell you that spending 12 hours a day in the cab of locomotive and living out of a grip and mostly away from your home terminal gets old very quickly.

In 2005-2006 I taught new hire CSXT train service employees operating, safety, air brake and train handling rules as well as conducting some of the hiring sessions for employment in Selkirk, Dewitt, Boston and North Jersey among other locations on the Albany division. I don’t think that even 20-30% of the students that went through the classes stayed much past getting marked up. Once they get a taste of that extra board and getting called to go to work on weekends, holidays, bad weather or good, 1AM or 3PM, not many last very long.

If they are hiring in the Boston area ([FONT=&quot]Framingham, Readville, as far as I know Beacon Park terminal in Boston is getting shut down[/FONT]) you might be better off working out of there. Regular jobs (local freight service) usually went pretty cheap (low seniority) in that area and you would have a better chance at escaping the extra board in those locations.

As far as that $150,000 per year figure goes, don’t expect to see it any time soon. The only place on the Albany division that you’re going to see that kind of money is in the long pool between Selkirk and Buffalo (high mileage runs) and those jobs are all taken by some very high seniority men. The only time I’d see Buffalo when I worked out of Selkirk was once and while in the summer months (when the vacations started) getting lucky off the extra board list.

djt-

thanks again for all the support. right now i'm just trying to get my foot in the door. I know I wont make that six figures anytime soon. But i'm not looking for that. if i can land a job anywhere on the east coast and at least get the training i need i'm happy.

as for the lirr and mta...i've heard from everyone that i know that works for mta say that the company sucks. i've researched and csx, up, and NS come up as the top 3 for great companies. I know that an economy is still an economy, and if i'm laid off because of whatever, then i'll be off to find another job.

and for those who keep saying "ohh its hard long work...ohh newcomers dont stand a chance...most people quit early...etc." I hear ya. but most jobs are like this. like think about journalists. they are never outside in harm's way. but they have to write huge 30 page essays everyday. thats pretty hard. or firefighters have to willingly burn themselves to save people. I know i'm only 19, but i've always loved trains, and want to experience this. and if i can stand it and enjoy it, i'll stay.

and you posted something like "hope ur used to staying away from home alot, being called in at 2 am, etc.

well thats life. my father is a project manager for a tri state construction company. he works his ass off. hes home 40% of the year, and is on call 24/7. and his annual salary barely breaks the six figure mark. but he enjoys what he does.

so i'll say again that i love trains, love the people that enjoy them, but dont try to convince me to not become a conductor or engineer.

angelo

 

[overkill650]

i guess ill just add that ive been around cars, machinery, tools, etc. all my life. like everytime i do an oil change on my dads corvette or my truck its impossible for me not to cover my arm in oil when removing the oil filter. but i love that.

or we once rented a huge excavator for the backyard. it was an older one with no cab. so the arm is right in front of you, well a hydraulic hose broke and i got drenched in smelly greasy hydraulic fluid. i didnt care though, just turned the machine off, fixed the hose, and went back to work.

and as far as injuries go, ive pulled a shoulder or arm out of a socket while trail riding, and just pooped it back in and continued riding. or if we are drag racing at the track, there isnt a hospital or med. clinic for miles. so ive cut open my palm before, all i did was pour some gas on the cut, and wrapped it with electrical tape.

not trying to showoff, just trying to say that i'm not the average kid. I'm 6'4, 250lbs, can bench 200-250 comfortably, and am always being a risk taker. all my friends always call me a tank. lol

so me and my parents and almost everyone else i know think becoming a conductor/engineer would be the perfect career for me.

thanks.
angelo

 

[djt]

as for the lirr and mta...i've heard from everyone that i know that works for mta say that the company sucks. i've researched and csx, up, and NS come up as the top 3 for great companies.

You might want to do some more research on that one. I'd love to have you ask some questions in person right in the GYO or east end yard office at Selkirk. T&E will give you a great idea about just how great the company is, lol.

Not to mention the droves of T&E that leave freight service for passenger service every time Amtrak holds interviews up here.

but most jobs are like this.

No most jobs aren't like working train service, not by a long shot.

but dont try to convince me to not become a conductor or engineer.

No one has to convince you of anything, six months of working an extra board will be all the convincing you'll need.

If you'd like a second opinion I can get you in touch with one of the managers that you might just end up interviewing with if you get called for job orientation/testing session.

Let me know.

 

[JCitron]

I would suggest that if you are looking at a career in the railroad industry you consider passenger service instead of freight. If you can land a job with LIRR (Metro North or Amtrak if you can deal with working out of Manhattan) you’ll have much more scheduled work.

I spent most of twenties working an extra board in freight service and I can tell you that spending 12 hours a day in the cab of locomotive and living out of a grip and mostly away from your home terminal gets old very quickly.

In 2005-2006 I taught new hire CSXT train service employees operating, safety, air brake and train handling rules as well as conducting some of the hiring sessions for employment in Selkirk, Dewitt, Boston and North Jersey among other locations on the Albany division. I don’t think that even 20-30% of the students that went through the classes stayed much past getting marked up. Once they get a taste of that extra board and getting called to go to work on weekends, holidays, bad weather or good, 1AM or 3PM, not many last very long.

If they are hiring in the Boston area ([FONT=&quot]Framingham, Readville, as far as I know Beacon Park terminal in Boston is getting shut down[/FONT]) you might be better off working out of there. Regular jobs (local freight service) usually went pretty cheap (low seniority) in that area and you would have a better chance at escaping the extra board in those locations.

As far as that $150,000 per year figure goes, don’t expect to see it any time soon. The only place on the Albany division that you’re going to see that kind of money is in the long pool between Selkirk and Buffalo (high mileage runs) and those jobs are all taken by some very high seniority men. The only time I’d see Buffalo when I worked out of Selkirk was once and while in the summer months (when the vacations started) getting lucky off the extra board list.

Beacon Park is being closed with CSX building a new yard near Framingham or more at Westboro, I think. As you know DJT, these places are in between Worcester and Boston on the old B&A mainline. The Beacon Park site in Alston/Brighton area has been sold to Harvard I think.

One of the jobs out of Boston was one that I was accepted to interview for, then the job got cut immediately afterwards in late 2008. There were two openings at the time, and I know one of the guys from Railroad.net forums got it. He got hired on, and my interview was due to come up in a few days, but got canceled when everything hit the tubes late in 2008 and early 2009.

In some ways I'm glad I stayed within my realm, knowing how things have turned out for me physically, particularly now with neurological issues I have been diagnosed with recently. This would have sadly cut that career path off very quickly.

I hate to say it, and this is no reflection on the OP, or many other people out there, but the work-hard, work a lot, do what's needed to get the job done, work attitude, doesn't seem to be there anymore for a lot of the younger generation. I'm saying this as a manager trying to hire people for my team. I've interviewed quite a few people for a job that requires both technical skills as well as grunge work, and they immediately make a face when I mention the "hard work".

Anyway, regarding the shift work. It's not that bad, really. Other than working outside, and being away from home on trips, this is really no different than the 15 years I put into computer operations from 1989 to 2004, I worked in computer operations, and later on as a network administrator. I was on call 24/7, 365/y, always carrying a beeper (prior to a cell phone).

In all those years, I never had a holiday off, missed out on family celebrations either because I was on call, or had just come off the swing shift and was sleeping. Later on with network administration, weekends and holidays were spent performing upgrades, and general PMs on servers that had to remain operational 24/7 365 d/y. Forget about New Year's celebrations. New Year's day was spent rolling up the business system and closing out access to the database so year-end/new year processing could take place. This was the tough part when the rest of the company was at the annual holiday party, the rest of us in MIS had to go back to the computer room and run the second-shift job schedule, which had to run anyway even though it was Christmas Eve.

John

 

[djt]

as for the lirr and mta...i've heard from everyone that i know that works for mta say that the company sucks. i've researched and csx, up, and NS come up as the top 3 for great companies.

You might want to do some more research on that one. I'd love to have you ask some questions in person right in the GYO or east end yard office at Selkirk. T&E will give you a great idea about just how great the company is, lol.

Not to mention the droves of T&E that leave freight service for passenger service every time Amtrak holds interviews up here.

but most jobs are like this.

No most jobs aren't like working train service, not by a long shot.

but dont try to convince me to not become a conductor or engineer.

No one has to convince you of anything, six months of working an extra board will be all the convincing you'll need.

If you'd like a second opinion I can get you in touch with one of the managers that you might just end up interviewing with if you get called for job orientation/testing session.

Let me know.


By the way what ever you do don't mention being risk taker, that's the last thing you want to mention in a railroad interview and is a sure way to have your resume thrown out.

 

[overkill650]

hey djt

thanks for the tip about the risk taker thing.

and yeah that would be really coolif you could get in contact with one of the interviewees

thanks.

angelo

 

[djt]

Beacon Park is being closed with CSX building a new yard near Framingham or more at Westboro, I think. As you know DJT, these places are in between Worcester and Boston on the old B&A mainline. The Beacon Park site in Alston/Brighton area has been sold to Harvard I think.

Yes that's what I hear is going on there now. Framingham is supposed to be the new eastern most terminal for the B&A and used to be the destination for the ML trains (autoracks).

When I worked for Conrail in the 1990's we'd take trains right into Beacon Park and went to hotel right in Harvard Square which is gone now from what I've been told.

 

[djt]

hey djt

thanks for the tip about the risk taker thing.

and yeah that would be really coolif you could get in contact with one of the interviewees

thanks.

angelo

Let me see if I can make a few phone calls angelo, I'll PM you.


By the way I see your in Long Island, I've got relatives on my Sicilian side that live in Amityville.

 

[overkill650]

cool sounds good. and amityville is about 15-20 min away from me. cool.

i appreciate all the help

 

[sniper297]

Looking for something risky, walk into a Navy recruiter's office, tell him you wanna be flight deck crew on an aircraft carrier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C5_-VWU6ks

Harriest job I ever had.

Curious about one thing, you love mechanical stuff why liberal arts?