BNSF just posted a position for signal maintenance in Galesburg, I'm on my way to post my resume. UP had some openings here in Rochelle, they are desparate for engineers and other workers, but I don't know if I want to apply to UP, any thoughts UP employees? BNSF looks good, I would rather live closer to Galesburg as I hate Rockford. Already applied to Iowa Interstate last week, no response yet. Even with my raise I just got, it barely covers the bills:embarassed: Fun time is over, time for a real job.
(I have no railroad employee experience, all the below is speculation, take it with a grain of salt, and correct me as required) UP gets a lot of bad press from overworking their road employees, but I'll bet BNSF has the same troubles... If it were me, and it may be someday, I'd go for signal maintenance. Not totally exhausting work, although I'm sure signal guys have their days; not like a track or B&B gang. The bonuses: you work along the ROW, you can railfan as time allows--when you are awaiting work windows, etc (bring a camera). You can become intimately familiar with the territory without the major demands and responsibility of train crew work; my guess (and that's all this is--speculation) is the tougher districts, like the mountain passes, and heavy freight corridors are easier to bid a job, since the employee turnover may be higher than secondary line 'X'. You could bid for jobs on Cajon, or Marias Pass, Sherman Hill, Donner Pass.. The list goes on, depending on the employer, that is. I look at this from a railfan's perspective. If I were to work for a railroad, I'd work for UP, and you guessed it, as a signalman on the Moffat Tunnel Sub.
jim i know around here unless you alreadyhave some electrical exp. they will pass. up gets its share of bad press but they all treat their employees the same basically. jim have you tried pioneer rail or railamerica? one of the prez of railamerica was my old trainmaster on the nrth end and was a great person to work for other than he swung from the other side of the tree!
Hemi, Mitch, thanks for the advice. After I typed this in last night I recieved a call from an old friend. Lets hope there is some hope here. I'll keep you all posted, just don't want to get my hopes up.
