Train drivers
- Thread starter ace014482
- Start date
NeonTheGriffon
#FurryPride
I wouldn't want that as my first job seeing how much stress you'll deal with.
Also, if you're addicted to your cell phone or tablet, can the idea already, you'll be fired on the first day.
This may be a dumb question, but there's only one place in Tennessee where you can find Norfolk Southern, CSX, and shortlines: Chattanooga? If so, contact the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and see if you can volunteer there. If you live in Knoxville, contact the Three Rivers Rambler and ask if you can volunteer there.
cascaderailroad
New member
Be prepared for layoff notices, and be able to pack up and move to another State, at the drop of a hat, when your job gets bumped ... irregular hours, no family life ... all kinds of bad things in the first 5-10 years of employment ... Usually being a conductor for several years, in foul weather, is required before being able to be tested for a driver position ... but great pay !
Several thousand applicants showed up to apply for 2 conductor jobs ... all the rest were turned away after testing ... An accredited RR School may be required, $5000 out of pocket ... and that $5000 only guarantees you 1 job interview with one Class I RR human resource official.
Several thousand applicants showed up to apply for 2 conductor jobs ... all the rest were turned away after testing ... An accredited RR School may be required, $5000 out of pocket ... and that $5000 only guarantees you 1 job interview with one Class I RR human resource official.
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This may be a dumb question, but there's only one area in Tennessee you can live where's there Norfolk Southern, CSX, and shortlines: Chattanooga, Tennessee? If you want railroad experience, contact the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) and see if you can volunteer there. If you have the money, try the Railroad Summer Camp. I use to go to the TVRM on the weekends and got to know the conductor and assistant conductor on the weekend Missionary Ridge Local, and they're really nice guys.
I live north of Knoxville
That was my second guess. You going to see 630 go down the Rathole district on the excursions from Lexington (KY) to Chattanooga and/or the one from Chattanooga to Sterns (KY) and back? I'm hoping to get the day off to ride the trip from Chattanooga to Sterns and back. My dad also wants to go on that excursion also.
First of all complete your college degree no matter what it is in. This will increase your chances of getting hired because companies, no matter what industry, prefer college graduates.
Once you have done this, apply and hopefully hire on as a freight conductor. The hiring railroad will send you to school, whether this is CSX, NS, BNSF, etc. Once you pass the qualifications and work for a number of years, usually 2 years as a conductor, you have to apply for and qualify as a train engineer.
Keep in mind that the training course is jam packed with detail and can be quite intensive as it takes place over 6-weeks, and does not include a physical and other tests that you need to pass prior to the course. You may pass the physical, but flunk out of the conductor training, and lose your chance. This course will include signals, safety procedures, mounting and disembarking from the railcars, and other procedures, along with all the other details that are specific to that railroad. It is not recommended that you run out and get any information on the signals, but instead learn them from the course because things can get confusing. This is a tough course that many people flunk out of due to various reasons ranging from being stupid, not following orders, partying, etc.
After you've gone through all this, you will then be assigned a terminal. This may not be the terminal you are hoping for and could be many miles from home. You then have to work up the ranks in seniority in order to receive the highest wage. Keep in mind too that you have a very good chance of getting cut because you are a recent hire . You may not work the full hours either because you are placed on the extra board and have to compete for the work. Once you build up enough seniority, you can then pick and choose your work and get the higher-paid runs.
Also keep in mind that this is hard work in all kinds of weather. The railroads rarely close down if there's a rain or snow storm unlike other industries. Freight needs to be moved on time, and for some commodities, it is time sensitive and has to be there on time no matter what. You may be called at all hours and be expected to arrive at work within 90 minutes of the call in all kinds of weather so you need to plan your time accordingly.
John
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In India, only 25+ people can get jobs as railway driver....Railways here are under government monopoly...there's and entrance exam for the job...you just need to work(drive) for 8hrs(shift for 1 day)...qualifications required are Technical degree and ITI (2 year course on engine parts.
If selected for the job ... drivers are divided on the category Diesels and Electric(including EMUs) and then you drive...
It is the job of utmost responsibility.
How i know these???....I asked a loco pilot...