Hi Sean & Everyone, Well I have been looking for a job in the railroad for a while and have finally submitted an application with CSX here in the Northeast for Freight Conductor Position . I have a strong mechanical background with manager experience as well. I aslo have an associates degree in Foresty and went to a vocational school for mechanics. I am 42 and need a career I can enjoy and retire comfortably. I have been at my recent job for 17 years so I hope that can give me some leverage. Hope everyone is doing well and I am very happy to be here with others that are after the same goal in life as me!!
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Introduce Yourself Here!!!
(605 posts) (264 voices)-
KY_Shannon
MemberHello Everyone!! My Name is Shannon and I am the father of two exceptional Kids.. I currently and have my whole life lived in Kentucky. I am seeking a railroad job for a prosperous and joyful future for myself and my family. Seeing as how I do live in KY "Good" jobs are scarce, so the railroad hardly ever has any positions available. I know I need to impress the railroad to even get an interview. Knowing this I have decided to volunteer at a nearby railroad for experience and I am currently working on an associates degree in Welding. Everyone wish me luck, lol.....I know this may be a long process because I have no experience in the railroad....BUT I AM DETERMINED!! Thanks to all for the courteous responses and helpful suggestions...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Frank68
MemberHey Drewg350 , Sorry I didn't see your post sooner but yes I am applying in Upstate N.Y.... Thanks and Good Luck to you too... 42 years of age still gives us a chance but I guess as long as we can do the job well and have a strong and stable work history it all helps... Frank
Posted 1 year ago # -
I was 42 yrs old when hired as well. If you have not already done so you may want to
get a copy of the RR jobs guide downloadable e-book sold at http://www.getarailroadjob.comThis will help you alot as it has a lot of other people on this forum. Good luck!
Posted 1 year ago # -
ALDO
MemberHey everyone! I just posted in the "strength test" section.Hopefully Sean or someone with knowledge in that area will take a look. Sean,you live(I think)in my county,and look what you've done for all of us "really-wanna-be-workin-on-the-railroad-people"!!! By the way, I just turned 52,and was told by BNSF that I'm "well seasoned",and aced my written tests and interviews! I'd like to see some follow ups to a lot of these posts.This is great! But,PLEASE....could someone take a glance at my post??
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm going thru the post now! Welcome aboard!
Posted 1 year ago # -
pacgrewes
ModeratorHi! My name is David Steele. Like Railroadess, I too, have been a railfan since I was a small child. It's been a lifelong dream to become a locomotive engineer, especially since an engineer on the DMIR let me run his SD-9. What a thrill, espcially then I knew that that's the job for me. Unfortunately life had other plans. For most of my life I worked as a truck driver/dispatcher. Two years ago I was let go from my job. This gave me the opportunity to explore different horizons. Like alot of you I decided to give railroading a try. I,ve spent the last few months appliing online with most class l, and some class ll railroads. Mostly, the responses have been what you would expect,"your credentials,although quite impressive, however we are going with more qualified individuals.", to "your attributes are commendable, however...". Yet, I keep plugging away at the applications. I was invited to a preview interview for the Canadian Pacific at Thief River Falls, Mn. 12/6/2010. I was not offered a job. Anyway, I,ve been reading, and checking out all the postings on this forum. I,m encouraged and hopeful by what I've been reading, and look forward to any and all responses (good or bad)from any of you. To Sean, I want your e-book, but i don't shop or bank online,privacy issues. Here is my e-mail address so you can send me the instructions on where I can send you a check or money order (steele.david53@yahoo.com). I also enjoyed your free 5 day lessons. p.s. I,m also an avid free lance model railroader. MY railroad name is "Pacific Great Weatern", hence my username pacgrewes. Good luck to all, keep posting as I enjoy reading them. thanx again, David
Posted 1 year ago # -
Welcome aboard i sent u an email with instructions. Thx!
Posted 1 year ago # -
jmuss75
MemberHi, Sean my name is Jeremy and I was a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad for 2 years way back in 1998-2000 I was furloughed and could not hold a position or transfer anywhere on the UP system so I promptly resigned. Well here I am wanting to land another conductor position with any class 1 railroad. I know the railroads will frown upon my resignation but I'm gonna try anyway after all I have the experience. My questions for you are; Is there a chance that I could get hired again? and Should I enroll in NARS classes to show them how serious I am? Thanks
Posted 1 year ago # -
I answered you in the other post. Please do not post twice. thx!
Posted 1 year ago # -
canuckmatt
MemberHi everyone,
I'm new here (hence posting this) I got laid off and feel in a way it's the best thing to happen because I can pursue a career in rail.
I'm up in Canada and I hope to be fortunate enough to catch on with CP Rail or CN Rail.
One question for you all. Through my research it seems people start this job a little later on in life, 30's and 40's. I'm 21 (22 in the summer) I had worked steady for 2.5 years before that and have 3 solid references. Do you think my age will work for or against me?
Matt
Posted 1 year ago # -
Your young but you have a good work history for you age so I think you will do fine... plus the Canadian RR's are pretty good to work for.
Posted 1 year ago # -
jasonh
MemberHello, my name is Jason. I am 29 years old. I have a civil engineering degree and worked in the construction industry operating heavy equipment for 9 years until I graduated college in 2005. I worked on my dads farm from the time I was about 6 until I graduated college. Currently I work for an enginering firm as a civil engineer/structural inspector and am starting the process of getting my class A cdl. I have a applied for 2 track laborer positions with NS and 1 track laborer position with CSX. A friend of mine that works for NS told me that the railroads like civil engineers. Does anyone know if this is true? Anyways, I am patiently (kinda) awaiting an email from either railroad. I really hope to post again soon with some good news.
Jason
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think you stand a good chance of getting an interview for sure.
Posted 1 year ago # -
drewg350
ModeratorHey pacgrewes--I cannot get your email address here on the forums, so please feel free to email me at drewg350@live.com. I will get right back to you. If you have any questions or would like to speak on the phone, email me, and I'll get your number and give you a call. Sounds like you've really been trying hard to land that dream RR job of yours. I'll help you anyway I can. Please email me if you like to talk. Thanks, Drew g
Posted 1 year ago # -
J_Allen
MemberHello all,
Joseph here. 29 years old. Been trying for sometime to get into the RR. Was always something in the back of my mind. Life took its coarse and threw some roadblocks in my way. I knew it was important to maintain a good work history so I focused on that as time passed and put everything behind me. I've been to two interviews so far, one with BNSF and one with UP.
Heading to Oregon tomorrow to interview for an Installation Technician with UP. Excited since this will be the first interview I can go to without worrying about how to explain my degree. It's an IT degree and I always get the, "You have a degree in computers - why do you wannna do xx job?"
Joseph
Posted 1 year ago # -
railman
MemberHi, Chris here, over 7 years military worked in Aviations, got out did Fire Deptartment for a few months, then moved on to Federal Corrections. Applied for Kansas City Southern January 8th had my interview yesterday, received highly recommendation from the interviewer. I am really excited about the job, alot of post have my hopes up some not so much. I hope that my military will put me up on the list. I really think this is the job for me and keeping my hopes up that I get hired in the next week or so. Any advice would help or anything really. Was 30 applicants 5 positions available. Good luck to everyone.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Welcome and good luck!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Tennesseeman
MemberHi, Billy here and just wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I have had family members work for the railroads in the past. Most worked for ICG and all retired. They all worked alot and were gone for days,but they made a great living and provided for their families. I'm 46 and have been self-employed for years.The bigger companies have made it impossible to make a living so I have applied for many railroad positions all over the country. I have had some turn-downs from all the RR however, I did get accepted for a position with UP as a conductor trainee. I have taken the reading test and passed. I am waiting futher instructions.I know its a long process and many hurdles left to jump.I am just glad to get accepted. Sean I want to thank you for the invite to the forum and I will keep you posted on what happens. Any info I learn from you guys will be extremely helpful.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Welcome aboard!
Posted 1 year ago # -
WiliestCubbs
MemberHey, my name is Caleb, looking to get some insight on railroad jobs. I'm 28 and recently graduated with an associate's degree. I've been working in retail and state government for the past eight years and want something more skill related. I recently applied to BNSF as a conductor trainee. Found these forums and so far I've seen a lot of good information. Thanks for being here and answering questions
Posted 1 year ago # -
You sound like a good candidate Caleb! Welcome on board!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Laroux
MemberHello everyone, I have applied to a few train crew jobs and have been invited to take the reading test, which is later today. I wonder if anyone has any information of how many women are on train crews, what my chances of being hired are, and how they get along with the men. I have many male friends and am a hard-working woman. I am not lazy and don't expect to have men do my work so I think I would do great with the job. Any tips on how to up my chances of getting the job?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Jevans
MemberEvery where I have worked I have been asked to do somthing that was dangerous for me at the moment or bad for my future health. Time is always the driving force. Since class 1 rail roads are so large with the boss' expect somthing to get done fast looking away from the dangers.
Well I may have not been asked but it was general everyday practice to do these things.Posted 1 year ago # -
Freewood
MemberSay what Jevens? Punctuations please.
Remember, in the railroad, you have the right to feel empowered and do the right thing. If you don't feel safe with the work, or you are asked to work fast, empower yourself to work slower if it feels safer to you.
If you don't finish the job, that's okay, there is always another crew to finish it after you tie up. You can't get fired for taking your time and being safe.
Posted 1 year ago # -
jharding
MemberHi everyone, my name is Jerry and I'm very happy to be here. I'm a construction union electrician for close to eleven years, I want to make a transition into the RR as a diesel engine electrician. I passed the skill battery test for UP and I'm waiting to take the next step. I just completed the ebook and I'm revamping my resume and getting ready for the interview. Are their any diesel engine electricians out there?
Posted 1 year ago #
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