Adivce for Railroad Conductor training program?

Question

I will be starting railroad conductor school next month at Marshall University in West Virginia. Any advice from conductors that went through this school or any railroad employess would be much appreciated. Is there anything i need to know before i start?

Answer 1

Ya I like the chairman guy above my answer about holding down the mic key. Its always funny when someone cussing someone and forget about the key - lol. But your question, just BE SAFE. The railroad and railroaders will train you to do the job. As far as testing, you should be in great shape coming right out of college. I was one semester out of school and final test was pretty easy.

Good Luck - What Railroad are you with???

Answer 2

Listen hard to what you are told about safety.  You will be working with big equipment that can hurt you before you know it.  Don't by cheap boots.  Listen to the old heads, but don't try to be their friends.  If they like you, they will talk to you.  Don't hold down your microphone key while having an argument with your wife on the cell phone if you don't want the whole yard to hear.  I found that out the hard way.

Answer 3

The truth is, if you have received a high school diploma by virtue of the fact that you can perform simple mathematical calculations, read, comprehend and retain, you have the requirements needed to navigate your railroad schooling.

Railroading is a unique occupation and portions of it are confusing, but it's not rocket science.

Answer 4

you are going to be doing to be doin a lot of reading ... quiz everyday and test every week ... study in groups .. it helps..

there is alot to know ... so study ..study ..... good luck

Answer 5

I work for CSX.  The trainees I hate are the ones that think they know it all.  I am an engineer and I once had an idiot try to tell me how to run my train.  He got sent to the second unit.