I've pretty well made up my mind about what I'm doing after high school. I hear ther CSX has schools that teach employees how to operate and maintain diesel locomotives. I was thinking I would just apply for a job with CSX (probably start as Brakeman) and then take the Locomotive Engineering course, and that'll be my career. Now, I've heard that there are Conductor colleges that teach Locomotive operation, does anyone have any information on, or links to, those schools on the East coast (preferably with in 200 miles of WV) THANKS!!
Wow, talk about a decision maker. Sounds like you've done some research and looked at different options. Couple of things to keep in mind though...Transportation and diesel house are different crafts and to switch from one to the other means you give up seniority in one to start at the bottom in the other, so it pays to go where you want to stay right off the bat. I also understand that CSX charges up front for their train service school and you may or may not get right to work to earn it back (check on that before you sign up). Wherever you go, most roads have you train and work as a conductor (conductors and brakeman are usually called from the same boards so all are conductors anyway) for at least a year before offering or forcing you to engine school. NS forces post '85 men unless pre '85ers bid the vacancies, others may allow you to bid the school or not as you see fit. If you want to end up in engine service, look for the RR that sends guys the soonest so you can establish the earliest possible engineer seniority date. Seniority is everything so get your date set as early as you can. I don't know of any non-RR schools on the east coast but a good search engine should be able to bring up something on the net if it's out there. The railroads own schools will teach you what you need to know and some will make you go through their own anyway even if you have outside education. Make the most of whatever you get because it's never enough and before you know it, you'll be the conductor standing on the lead in the dark with a switch list, a grouchy engineer, 300 cars to handle, 4 industries to do and it looks like rain. LOL Good Luck!
I didn't mean to type th emaintainence part, I'm lookign at the csx site now, but it doesn't show much.
Hi Pat, The NS was just hiring for conductors. Dunno if the others will be doing so. One of the schools that offer private education in the RR crafts is the National Academy of Railroad Sciences at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park KS(suburban K. C.) It is staffed and co-sponsored by the BNSF. This is where the BNSF trains their engineers and used to train conductors. Other smaller RRs will send people there for training as well. I dont think the BNSF is hiring right now. Any how be prepared to get a job and then be furloughed the second business slows down (like in the winter when nobody is on vacation and most older seniority people are working the regular scheduled jobs). CT (BNSF engineer and Conductor)
I'd rather not move out west just get a railroad job, so only CSX, Norfolk Southern, or shortlines east of the mississippi and near the Mason-Dixon Line.
Your best bet would be to hire out on a short line. The Big two, NS and CSX maybe hiring, but at the same time they are laying off people. UP is doing the same thing out west. If you do hire out on a class one, seniority is everything. Plan on long hours at night on the worst jobs out there. If your single and have no family, that might not be a problem. Another thing to consider is CSX and NS are probably working to implement the RCL program. That is Remote Control Locomotive and means no engineer on that crew. Another way to cut manpower and put off the need to hire. The jury is still out on the safety aspects, but it is certain to eliminate the bottom of the seniority roster. I do mean to rain on your parade, having spent the last 23 years working for a railroad. The UP has taken great pains in reducing the manpower needed to move freight. Now two things have to be realized here. One, I like my job and I was able to stick out the lean times. Two, by the actions the UP has taken, it makes my seniority mean more and my job more secure for me. I do have a family and it has made it rough on them at times. Railroading has changed and will change. I do believe that there will be jobs on the railroads for a long time. I also know that a few of the new hires in the roundhouse came out of the Navy, since they were diesel mechanics there, they got hired first over someone off the street. Also consider the need to graduate from High School, unlike 23 years ago when it really didn't matter. Some more facts to think about. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away. Greg Elems UP engineer former WP brakeman Reno, NV
Greg: Not to butt in on the topic (and it's a good one), but which way does UP have you running out of Reno?
If you're really interested the Univ. of North Florida at Jacksonville has what they call "The Railroad college" It is an eight week course (four weeks in class and four weeks of on the job). I've not found out which road they use (FEC or CSX) You can contact the Univ. and they should mail you a discription of the program.
Hi FriscoBob, Sorry about answering you query so late. I work on a yard switch engine currently. Right now we only have the road turns running east out of Sparks to Elko. On the first of September or around that time, we will start running the inter modal trains west to Lathrope and Oakland. All other trains west are covered by pools working out of Roseville. A new twist to operations has started. The Roseville hub will be using the RCL engines. RCL is the Remote Control Locomotive operation. When that happens, manned switch engines will become a thing of the past. I will then exercise my seniority and go to the road. In the end, the 3 or 4 youngest trainmen in seniority will be bumped out and forced to another terminal. The RCL program is pure and simple a way to reduce the work force and make those working work harder. It is getting to the point that a person will be physically worn out by retirement. Work for the railroad you say? I sure don't recommend it! Greg Elems
Now I guess you guys will believe me! I tried to tell you two years ago that there would not be anyone in the engines, and some kid would be playing "Space Invaders" with it. It is actually easier for the kids who play the computer games to run the new engine controls, than we who know how to run one by hand! We would be lost without the "feel" of the engine, the kid never learned that, so it is like any other game to him. The controlls I worked on are so easy, you can learn all that is required in one hour. It was tried with one of the girls in the office and she did really well. The computer prevents her making a mistake. It is only the switchers for now, but the big controllers run the main lines from yard to yard with no one in the engine. That is the one I don't want to meet at a crossing, because it wont stop and wait for me to hobble across the tracks!
Reminds me of the story of the first fully-automated jetliner. On its maiden voyage with passengers, it taxied up to the loading ramp, opened its doors, allowed the passengers to beard, then closed its doors and backed away from the terminal. It taxied to the runway, and eventually took off. As it was climbing up to its cruising altitude, a voice came over the PA: "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Wingandaprayer Airlines we would like to welcome you to the maiden flight of the world's first fully automated jet aircraft. We have no flight crew on board- everything is being handled by our battery od onboard computers. There is no cause for alarm, as everything has been checked and double-checked by our service technicians, and there is absolutely no chance of anything going wrong-going wrong-goingwrong-......" just what we need- R2D2 as an engineer!
Watash, I've been watching this develop for the last 10 years. If local industries can use them to spot cars of corn and wheat to unload, it was a matter of time for the big boys to catch on. Like I said, "don't work for the railroad if you want a life." Like the airlines that have pilots on the 767's as a back up, the railroads at this time plan on have us engineers as back up when the satellite control kicks in. Actually, there is an electric railroad that runs unmanned trains hauling coal to the power plant and it has automated horn activation for road crossings. Just a big train set...... Greg Elems
Yeah I know about that one Greg, don't you know the kid running it is having fun running a "real" train set? HA! I'll bet ole "osama been rag-head" is just waiting to hack into the next one!
