Getting hired by a railroad?

Question

Im a senior in high school and plan to become a conductor preferably for CSX or any railroad. I attended Railcamp and have been volunteering at a tourist railroad doing track work for the past 9 months. I also have a part time job as a cashier that I have had for the past 7 months. I will be taking an electrical construction class in my senior year of high school. I will graduate june 2009.

What are my chances of being hired by a railroad out of high school?

Can I apply before I graduate?

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure you have to be at least 18 to apply.  And you must have a high school diploma or g.e.d., and a valid drivers license.  They will do a background check, strength test, physical and drug test.  But experience is not required for being a conductor.  The Class 1 railroads (UP, BNSF, CSX, KCS, NS) will hire you to be a conductor with no experience.  You will be trained as a brakeman/switchman first though, then conductor training, and then if you want, engineer school.  Some railroads will force you to become an engineer, I'm not sure about CSX, be sure to ask them if you go to an interview.  I will say this though, it will be a huge reality check and lifestyle change coming straight out of high school.  Long hours of boredom, working nights, weekends and holidays, be sure you are ready to commit to that if you decide to take that job.  Hope you do, good luck.

Answer 2

I have a family member that worked for the railroad in Ohio.  He was brought in out of high school.  I'm not quite sure what he started doing.  However when he retired he was a conductor.