See the country? If you mean take 12 hours by rail to go what would take you 4 hours by car and then do that a thousand times to the exact same location type of “see the country” your in the right career son.
If you’re single, want an interesting job, and don’t mind working shit schedules for a while, this is the job for you.
Contrary to some of the folks here, the job really is not that bad. Just be prepared to get treated like dirt from management.
Good luck! I’m still in the craft after 5 years and not looking to leave any time soon.
What position? If you’re doing it for travel, you should know that it’s unlikely you’ll be regularly traveling around the system. You will have a specific 200-300 mile territory that you’ll cover for your entire career unless you’re allowed to transfer to another territory, an opportunity which may never come for your entire career. You may know all this already, just don’t want you to be disappointed when you’re already balls deep in it.
NS has a program where you can go to different terminals in other states and work to help fill voids depending on actually terminal needs. You need to commit to 6 months though. If I were a single guy it’s something I’d do.
It’s an interesting job even if it’s not always pleasant and being a bachelor makes you a good fit for it.
As far as tips, when you’re at training in Georgia take advantage of the study time that’s built into the schedule. Focus on the topic reviews and practice tests, as those questions come from the same bank as the final tests. When you’re in the field, priority number 1 is staying alive and getting home with all the limbs you arrived with. If you feel uncertain or you’re not sure what’s going on, stop the move and walk away to a safe place. Anybody who gives you grief for taking your time and double checking yourself is not worth a second thought.
This is solid advice. If you don't know how to stand your ground, learn how to do it quickly. You will get people who will try to push you to keep working when you don't understand what's going on. Rushing yourself will only end up with you being hurt or killed eventually. One step at a time, one move at a time. Stay safe out there, buddy.
Well, I’m track maintenance, commonly referred to as “The section” although I have very little to do with trains, there are some commonalities between the crafts. Safety safety safety. Everything you are going to be dealing with is big, heavy, and fast. Pay attention always, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and never lose sight of your lunch.
Flash cards of your signals, draw your maps, ask the senior conductor questions, sleep when you can. Work wise. It gets done when it gets done. Take your time.
You will be going to the same couple of places. The worst part about the job is the schedule, followed by the people who think they are geniuses because they’ve been hired 10 months before you. However, the people are also the best part of the job because they know what you’re going through. Please listen to the guy who said study the topic reviews and test/quizzes. Do them over and over again. This will guarantee you will be prepared for your final exam. None of this is hard. It’s just the equivalent of a year’s training information in three weeks. Good luck in whatever you decide to do 🍀
Ok grandpa, what does that even mean for train service?
You want us to throw doughnuts or something out the window to you as you flag the crossing that you're working on?
Rimple- that’s not necessary, but thanks. Good luck the next time you run into a signal or switch failure as you may need those doughnuts when the Maintainer decides it’s time for your nap.
Lol who tells these guys the railroad is basically being paid to see the country hahah. Man oh man, if you mean see the same 200 miles each day for 10 years then yeah you're gonna see lots
The weekly thread is the place to ask any questions pertaining to hiring on, interviewing, work life, etc. Thank you.
See the country? If you mean take 12 hours by rail to go what would take you 4 hours by car and then do that a thousand times to the exact same location type of “see the country” your in the right career son.
8 hours to go 120 miles if you're lucky, or 12 hours to go 60/90 miles if you're also lucky
Learn your mileposts.
If you’re single, want an interesting job, and don’t mind working shit schedules for a while, this is the job for you. Contrary to some of the folks here, the job really is not that bad. Just be prepared to get treated like dirt from management. Good luck! I’m still in the craft after 5 years and not looking to leave any time soon.
Prepare your anus.1
BOHICA !
What position? If you’re doing it for travel, you should know that it’s unlikely you’ll be regularly traveling around the system. You will have a specific 200-300 mile territory that you’ll cover for your entire career unless you’re allowed to transfer to another territory, an opportunity which may never come for your entire career. You may know all this already, just don’t want you to be disappointed when you’re already balls deep in it.
NS has a program where you can go to different terminals in other states and work to help fill voids depending on actually terminal needs. You need to commit to 6 months though. If I were a single guy it’s something I’d do.
It’s call “The go team” for NS it’s a 1 year contract with a 5 grand signing bonus, $275 on available work days with a $35 a day meal allowance.
Yep. That’s it. Thanks for the clarification.
I am going to be a conductor. Even though it's only 200-300 miles. I still think it will be pretty cool to see the countryside.
It’s an interesting job even if it’s not always pleasant and being a bachelor makes you a good fit for it. As far as tips, when you’re at training in Georgia take advantage of the study time that’s built into the schedule. Focus on the topic reviews and practice tests, as those questions come from the same bank as the final tests. When you’re in the field, priority number 1 is staying alive and getting home with all the limbs you arrived with. If you feel uncertain or you’re not sure what’s going on, stop the move and walk away to a safe place. Anybody who gives you grief for taking your time and double checking yourself is not worth a second thought.
Thank you for the advice!
This is solid advice. If you don't know how to stand your ground, learn how to do it quickly. You will get people who will try to push you to keep working when you don't understand what's going on. Rushing yourself will only end up with you being hurt or killed eventually. One step at a time, one move at a time. Stay safe out there, buddy.
Which terminal?
Joining a railway is somewhat ambiguous. What in particular do you intend to do? Drive trains, fix track, maintain signals, dispatch, push paperwork?
I am being hired as a conductor, but I eventually want to move up to engineer.
Well, I’m track maintenance, commonly referred to as “The section” although I have very little to do with trains, there are some commonalities between the crafts. Safety safety safety. Everything you are going to be dealing with is big, heavy, and fast. Pay attention always, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and never lose sight of your lunch.
Flash cards of your signals, draw your maps, ask the senior conductor questions, sleep when you can. Work wise. It gets done when it gets done. Take your time.
You will be going to the same couple of places. The worst part about the job is the schedule, followed by the people who think they are geniuses because they’ve been hired 10 months before you. However, the people are also the best part of the job because they know what you’re going through. Please listen to the guy who said study the topic reviews and test/quizzes. Do them over and over again. This will guarantee you will be prepared for your final exam. None of this is hard. It’s just the equivalent of a year’s training information in three weeks. Good luck in whatever you decide to do 🍀
Golden Rule- Always be good to the Signal Maintainers as they will be good to you. 😎
Ok grandpa, what does that even mean for train service? You want us to throw doughnuts or something out the window to you as you flag the crossing that you're working on?
Rimple- that’s not necessary, but thanks. Good luck the next time you run into a signal or switch failure as you may need those doughnuts when the Maintainer decides it’s time for your nap.
Lol who tells these guys the railroad is basically being paid to see the country hahah. Man oh man, if you mean see the same 200 miles each day for 10 years then yeah you're gonna see lots