Do you make a lot of money driving a train?

Question

Do you make a lot of money driving a train?

Answer 1

Yes.  I make well in excess of what many friends & family around my age make, sometimes 2-3 times the amount.  But, I'm rarely home on weekends, I don't often sleep in the same bed as my wife, my phone rings at the oddest hours, and my sleep patterns are very erratic.

Seniority rules on the railroad, at least the larger systems.  You can use high seniority to work assignments with a more "normal" pattern to them, but you won't make much money on them.  On the other hand, you could use that seniority to bid assignments that rake in the cash hand over fist.

If you're low seniority like I am (most guys in my terminal started before I was born), you can use this to pick up the garbage jobs nobody else wants, and make your money that way.  The down side?  See the first paragraph.

Keep in mind, too, pay varies by railroad.  There is a difference between larger systems, however, it's small.  Generally speaking, in Canada, the highest paid railroaders are on VIA Rail (the national passenger railway), followed by those on the big systems (CN & CP), then the regionals (ONR, old BC Rail), then the shortlines.

Short lines generally have a less erratic and more consistent schedule to them, but the pay is less.  It all depends on what you seek - normalcy in family life, or the $$$.

The bottom line is there are many financial incentives to working for the railroad - good pay, opportunity for overtime and extra work, benefits, solid pension plan, and (for the most part) job security.

Keep in mind that the well-paying jobs where you'd hire on in your 20's and retire at 55 with a decent pension are almost non-existent these days - it's something that my parent's generation had, but mine doesn't.  So, much as my current position may get me down from time to time (and whose doesn't?), on the whole I still enjoy what I do for a living and look forward to going to work.

Answer 2

In the UK train drivers do make good money but one the down side, you do run the risk of mowing down dumb idiots who don't consider other peoples' lives.

They run the risk of causing the train to crash & the driver has to live with the image of seeing the person whilst they killl them.

Danger money I think they call it!!

Answer 3

No. Don't drive one.

Answer 4

HOGHEAD is right, but it depends...  if you are working for a big class 1 railroad, like CSX, NS, UP, BNSF or CN, 70K per year is the norm, with more if you're willing to work on your off-days and do overtime shifts (and if it's busy).  I know engineers that make over 100K by being on-call 24-7-365, but it's gruelling alright.  A commuter rail engineer around me also makes 70K or so.

If you are working for a smaller railroad or for an industry like a port, then it may be much less, like 40-50K or less, depending.  Also, if business drops off for a while, like if you work for an auto unloader and the car companies stop shipping for a few months because they are working on next year's models, then you may be laid off for a while.  Class 1 railroads may also lay off if biz is slow, but it hasn't happened near me for a LONG time (and with fuel prices making railroad a better choice, it's not likely anytime soon).

They have a saying on the railroad:  "A railroader is a hobo with a well-to-do family."  If you can work long hours, your family will be set (if they can stand you being away for long periods of time).  If you see a guy walking around who is dressed shabby and is dirty and sweaty, but is talking into a $600 radio, it's probably a trainman ;-)

Answer 5

About 6 figures a year

Answer 6

No, and it's dangerous.

Answer 7

No,it's money range falls probably in the same with taxi drivers?

If you want a good job,go to college an get a degree,then more options will be made avalible to you!

Answer 8

It depends on how motivated one is, and how much work one can stand.  Depending on seniority and location, one could expect to earn well over $100,000 per year.  But, it is dangerous and stressful for family life, owing to on-going absence making that long green..... Divorce rate amongst railroaders is roughly three times that of the national average.

How bad do you want the cash?  You're going to sacrifice much to make it.

Answer 9

most depend on particular type you drive. a railroad engineer makes more than any, but also faces the prospect of not living through an accident. a city commuter train driver makes about the same as a bus driver. the biggest deal is in the retirement plans. retired rr workers recieve much more than someone on ss and gets much larger raises each year, while ss recipients just get a few bucks.

Answer 10

its  long boring for the mostpart work you are never home when you want to be its like driveing an over the road truck you may not see home for days on end for that you are paid quite well