How do new hires for railroad afford to relocate?

Question

I am gathering my background information to submit an application. Now, I don't know if the RR will even want me,so perhaps I'm getting the cart ahead of the horse here. But, does anyone here know of anyone else who WAS hired into RR and had to relocate? How did they manage it? Besides being a neat job, I am looking at the RR for a decent living. Which means that right NOW, I have ZERO money. Not even making it between paychecks. So....any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

The railroad I work for only has regional seniority which means you might only go a 100-200 miles away.  Another idea is to try a short line that has only a few hundred miles ( or less) of track.  Look for somewhere with a lot of industry and yard work too.  That will afford you lots of chances to be home at nite ( or day) instead of being on the road all the time....good luck!

Answer 2

Dude, I have worn my furniture out rubbing on door jambs relocating and relocating.

It was never easy, I dont know what to say for advice, ya just gotta do what ya gotta do.

I had to sell a house for a huge loss and move across country with 2 little kids in December 1980, it was miserable but .. . . . . we got by.

Loans from family might be an option, I have pawned my watch for cash to drive to a different location.

The first month will be worse, then you will start getting a paycheck, it may not be very large at first but at least it will buy groceries, you can live on a freind's couch, sleep in your car, or camp, I've done all the above and a few other things.

Best of Luck with it, you will get by, we all do somehow.

Answer 3

none of the freight railroads will pay you to relocate so you need to start trying to cut back on expenses to save. I guess if you have to travel to another state all you really need is money for gas. the train will be your first home, your second will be the motel, and your third might have to be your truck for a few weeks. but after that check starts rolling in you can get a place.