Am I too young to start a railroad job?

Question

I'm currently 19, worked in a grocery store and I'm an accounting major(will be done at the end of next year) I've always wanted to work on the railraod.

Answer 1

mabey, they will either give u a hard time and not take you seriously or the will work u REALLY HARD

Answer 2

I'm with Rango.  Graduated high school on June 3rd, made my date on June 6th as a clerk.

Youth and maturity are two different things and they don't always happen at the same time.  If mature and youthful at once, so much the better of a candidate anyone will be.  Getting on is the important thing, in whatever capacity.

But if you want it, you have to work for it and the best time to get your name on any seniority roster is today.  If not successful first time around, keep knocking on doors.  I've known guys who got hired just to shut 'em up.

I wish you well and stay safe.

Answer 3

Definitely not I started when I was 19. I can't really say about other railroads but U.P. requires 2 yrs work experience post high school graduation or an associates degree for train service.  

Answer 4

no.  there are guys that i have worked with that got all of their high school credits early and obtained their diploma, then the had to lay off to go to the actual graduation ceremony.

I went through the engineer program with an 18 year old.  As far as i know he is the youngest locomotive engineer.

if you have a degree i would say go into management though, better hours, and about the same pay... unless you just want the rr experience.

As mentioned above there are many departments.

Entry level jobs that i know of are:

Conductor (transportation)

Carmen (railcar repair)

M. O. W. (track repair.. maintainance of way )

Mechanical shop laborer (works in the diesel shop... usually sweeping the floor, counting bolts etc. :)  i really don't know their responsibilities)

Answer 5

Not at all, you will have to start out in an entry level job, perhaps track department but there are others as well. There will be options to transfer to other departments as you progress.

good Luck with it.