This is where we discuss general conductor job questions not related to a single railroad company.
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General Conductor Discussion
(428 posts) (101 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Freewood
MemberIt takes however many weeks of Conductor training the company deems necessary.
If you want to know how long that is, visit their websites, or search the forum. As for positions, there is a Conductor position, and all you need to get to that point is Conductor training.
It behoves you to visit which ever RR you are interested in and review the information they put out on their site along with job postings.
Posted 1 year ago # -
98% of people get hired for Conductor position.... They apply, get hired, go thru company paid RR training and after about 4 months of ojt are "Knighted" as Conductor...
Posted 1 year ago # -
AA757JR
MemberFrom what I understand there's something like a ladder at an odd angle, so most of your weight has to be held by upper body strength and you have to hang on for a certain amount of time, and I've heard about heart rate monitors too. There should be info on the railroads website
Posted 1 year ago # -
012LDY
MemberUP had their hang test as part of the PAT. It was at the end of the test. 3 minutes with the RCO pack and vest strapped on your chest. Strapped to a remote hrm to the computer. If you go over a certain age adjusted bpm for your sex/age, they will fail your test. Soooooo, don't hold your breath. Practice on some wrought iron railings somewhere. I'm about 6-6 235 w/39 inch long arms and it was easy; I heard a few times on the boards that "it was harder for taller people" which is nonsense. You need some good balance and basic strength. In the field for our initial training we did a practical test (no hrm for 18 guys) for about 6 minutes hanging off of real fixed hopper cars at an industry yard. It was even easier because there was no proctor breathing down your neck about the heart rate issue waiting to fail you. As long as you don't fall off, you are good. Good luck
Posted 1 year ago # -
Search the forum.........................
Posted 1 year ago # -
@tarbar77 Yes it is but there are tons of answers all over the forum...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Mostly at interview if they are doing the physical portion at that same time.
Posted 1 year ago # -
chad
Member@atwitsend - I'd agree with the "depends on the railroad you work for" sentiment. I was told at the interview a lot of guys who have some seniority usually hold the yard jobs, because they're home more/not as much traveling. Who knows? I guess I will starting June 6th!
Posted 12 months ago # -
EliM2010
ModeratorI have ALOT of conductor friends and i mean a TON of conductor friends working all over from amtrak to csx to norfolk southern ... and becoming a conductor is well worth it .. IF you enjoy work always have a steady job and steady paycheck ... come on fellas in these stuggling times with no work anywhere wouldnt u rather be somewhere where u have potentially railroad retirement and retire within 30 years or so or would u rather be in a job thats 9 to 5 never give u any challenge always boring ... as apposed to the railroad becoming a conductor and next an engineer with more growth to come if you guys choose and get ur bachelers degree and a couple more steps up to becoming something like a substitute yard master or even a yard master or higher up then that .... HEY its well worth it if u stick to it and if u mind workin at ALLL and i mean at ALLLLLL hoursof the day and night and on weekends and holidays ... PS HOLIDAYS means ((DOUBLETIME)) time and a half PLUS times 2 .. HHHEELLLLOOOO if that aint that sweet i dont know WHAT is :) ... !!!!!!!!!!! WELL im just another one of you railroad guys workin in CSX as a gate inspector for now ... but NEXT YEAR after a year of doing this im gonna transfer to switch crafts and become a freight conductor just what u all want to become ... as what the majority of my friends all over the railroad are already doing ..... and AAAAGGGGGGAAAAAAIIIINNNNN i stress ... if u can work ANY PERIOD OF DAYSS and i mean AAANNNYYY with any short rest in between then becoming a railroad conductor is for u !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a good one fellas and ill keep you all posted :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eli @ CSX
Posted 12 months ago # -
Thank you Vince Lombardi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oops I mean ELIM2010!!!!!!! Good luck!
Posted 12 months ago # -
Grendie
Member@laroux. You should hold a conductor certificate at the end of your training. Once you markup it will depend on the jobs you can hold that
determine your title, LOL! Brakeman are helpers, switchman are Foreman in the yard, conductors are on the road. If you can hold a road board you will be a conductor ect.. This will all become clear as you start training. Don't expect to hold anything but extra boards for a while.Posted 11 months ago # -
alynchjrbnsf
Membersean i hav your book and exp now im waiting on tht one chance hopefully with your book it will pay off for the long run!!!!!
Posted 11 months ago # -
alynchjrbnsf
Memberi got a interview with the bnsf june 1st and im excited but who has sum important advice for wanting my dream career?????
Posted 11 months ago # -
AZLongRoad
MemberI have a question about the hair drug test, I shave my head of what hair I have left Can they take hair from say underarm for this test.
Posted 11 months ago # -
AZLongRoad
MemberRC_Cola, Ya I can't be the only Bald guy working for the Railroad. Thanks
Posted 11 months ago # -
AZLongRoad
MemberI Applied in Winslow but was Denied, I applied years ago I was able to get an Interview 15 years ago with BNSF in San Berdo., and 8 years ago with the UP In Las Vegas. I recived the thanks but no thanks Letter. I was a long haul truck driver back then so I was never home to keep on trying. My Buddy stuck with it and got picked up then 3 more of my friends now all work for the BNSF all 15 + years they love it.
Posted 11 months ago # -
AZLongRoad
MemberAzguy2, Have you had any luck ?
Posted 11 months ago #
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