Ive seen and heard about MODOC and other training programs around the country. My question is this. How much of a help are these when applying with a RR? are they worth the investment seeing as how its very industry specific and there are not a great number of potential employers. I've been applying with UP since May and havent managed to get an interview yet. For anyone working for a RR, how long did it take you to get on? Thanks guys.
Good question. Even tho I'm already working for NS, I'd be curious to know more about MODOC etc. and whether anyone hereabouts has actually been through one of these programs and if it was any help on their resume. Last I heard was that no matter what you had under your belt beforehand, you still had to go through the 'in house' training for whatever RR actually hires you. That may be incorrect but it makes sense that you'd have to be schooled in the specific rules, signals etc. for your new home road since not much of it is standardized between them. Anybody got more info? Curiosity is killing the cat.
Theres another post I didnt see in The Ready Track under something like Engineers and Confuctors..... I dont think it could hurt if you have the time and money, plus it would give you a little taste for it, see if you really like it.
Wow! I checked out that link to MODOC...5 grand plus room and board is pretty steep. Cheaper than 4 years of higher ed. I suppose but still a lot with not much of a guarantee you'll ever work in the industry. Hmmmmm
Well, im gonna keep trying to get the training for free and a job at the same time. Am also planning on finishing my degree starting this spring.
Mention of this one school has me wondering. How many such institutions are there? How well thought of are they by the RR industry? Would a particular school be a plus on your resume'? Or a minus? Boxcab E50
It is rumored here that MODOC has purchased the McCloud railroad to start another academy there. At first, I thought it was the Modoc Indian Tribe that bought it!
Oops. I had forgot about this post when I was about to start another one. This post being from 2004, are there any new members or anyone with new information on MODOC and NARS and thier usefulness in helping you get hired?
Interesting question. Now I am also curious! How does the industry in general, look at these institutes? Boxcab E50
===================================================== A.#2/ AGES! I first started applying and sending out resumes in the mid/late '80s but didn't get an "invite" or interview until 1996. That was a result of answering a want ad in the Chicago Sunday Tribune. I got invited to a testing session,passed the tests, had an interview with HR, and the rest is history. A friend of mine who is now an engineer with the BNSF had worked for the CSX, quit,worked other jobs but wanted to get back to the RR. I met him on the internet. I met personally with him and his (then)fiance just prior to their marriage and told her the "facts of life" about railroading. My friend asked me to do that,his fiance/wife knew that he was interested in "getting back" and she knew what kind of money could be made on the RR but he wanted her to hear it face to face from a married man w/kids.(me!). He had been trying EVERYWHERE to get back in the job. The UP sent him two invites to attend a testing session, the first was just before his marriage,which he declined since he know the RR would not let him take the time off to get married. He got the second invite while he was on his honeymoon. Couldn't do that one either. Time went by and he was getting no nibbles. One day when I was doing qualifying runs as a student engineer, my mentor happened to mention that the company was conducting interviews, he knew I had some friends trying to get in. He had THE hotline phone #. I called my pal, gave him the # and wished him the best. Within 1 week(one week) he was tested,interviewed,medically examined and approved and told when to report for training. After the several fruitless years he tried to get re-employed by a railroad, it seems the BNSF couldn't hire him quick enough!!! LOL It seems you just have to be in the right place at the right time! CT
Applied in to BNSF in late Dec of 04, interviewed in May of 05, started in July 05. I think I was in the second class they hired out of this session. So even if every thing goes right, it may take 6 month or more to get hired in to train service. Just keep trying and don't hold your breath. Adam
I personally don't know of anyone that has attended the MODOC academy or (to be honest with you... ) very much about it as a school (even though they're "headquartered" right down the road from Woodland in the town of Madison). I have been involved with, but have not gone through, a program offered by Sacramento City College which offers an Associate of Arts Degree in Railroad Science (Railroad Operations). The portion of this program that I've been involved with is the "hands on" training which is done at the CSRM (Sacramento Southern Railroad) where the students are taught everything from how to give hand signals (both day and night signals), get on and off moving equipment, how to replace damaged or broken knuckles, to how to deal with the "paperwork" (Form "A"s, Form "B"s, etc.) and/or the rules that govern various aspects of operation (such as the differences between operations in ABS, CTC, and TWC territory). My role in these classes is limited to being part of the Sac Southern train crew (usually Fireman/Brakeman) so I'm not an instructor (...merely a spectator...). I can tell you that based upon what I've seen of both the instructors (who, for the most part, are currently "Real World" railroaders themselves) and the students that the program is geared to help you succeed in getting a job with a railroad (...no guarantees, of course...) and covers just about all of the basics (History of Railroading, Railroad Careers, Railroad Operations, Railroad Safety, GCOR which is AAR certified, and "Ground School") that you'll need. Here's a link to the program that is offered by Sac City College: http://scc.losrios.edu/programs/railroad.html . This program and several others across the US at the Jr. College level are generally based upon the program(s) developed by the Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas (link: http://www.jccc.net/home/depts/1283/site).
Just Graduated NARS on August 4th, got the thanks for applying / interviewing E-mail two days ago:angry: . Got to wait another six months to apply with BNSF. Now just waiting to get an invite from UP. In the meantime I'm starting a new job with Renzenberger which is the Crew Transport Company for the RR's
Turned 18 and applied at the Lima state unemployment/job service office 3/79. Hired and established seniority 6/79. Last one hired for about 10 years. Spent most of the '80s laid off. Haven't been laid off since 6/88.
