I am hearing that hireing out on a railroad is not fun anymore. How true is this?

Question

Much of this comes from fromer UP engineers and conductors.

I am not trying to bash the Union Pacific. I have heard similar things about our smaller branch line as well.

Answer 1

train engineers blow and suck

Answer 2

the first few trips were interesting, after that it gets pretty monotonous

Answer 3

Well, to be honest I never knew it was *supposed* to be fun in the first place. Its a potentially hazardous, serious, and tiring line of WORK!

That aside, I know several who enjoy and are comfortable in their jobs - not on the UP, but the local roads where I am. It is a gratifying job, and it has the potential to pay well. That keeps the new hires flocking to a life on the railroad... I have even considered it, and am keeping the option open, though I'm exploring many other options..

It has its fun moments from what I hear though... Depends who your engineer/conductor is...and if your boss has a pole in his butt... LOL

Answer 4

Conductor Budgie is quite correct in his assessment and reporting that it will be hard to miss the "good ol' days", having never experienced them.

The carrier you are considering employment with is also a major consideration.  I can tell you, first hand, the UP doesn't care about you, your family or anyone else who lives in close proximity to the right of way.  The trains of today, particularly on that property, are too long, too heavy and manned by constantly fatigued crewmen.  It is a recipe for disaster.

It is my understanding that those who hire out with the BNSF can fare better, at least in how the employees are treated by the carrier.  I would not recommend a short line, in as much as many of them were created by large carriers selling off what used to be branch lines, creating "new" railroad companies that are, strangely enough, non-union.  Non-union = chain up.

Still, it is he who is able to support his family doing what he likes to do that makes one a winner in any job description.  For a young, single person, it is a gratifying and well paying job, even with the numerous drawbacks so cogently outlined above.  The personal rewards for a job well done is immediate, whenever you are able to get your train to town and walk away alive.

As far as the aforementioned drawbacks, there is one very important safety valve not mentioned.  Most make the mistake of "buying into" problems.  When the good cash starts coming in, people usually do exactly what the railroad wants you to do, which is trap yourself.  How so?  Buy a new truck, house, boat, motorcycle, private plane, etc., etc.  Then you belong to THEM.  Again, as a young person, hire out, bust rump for as long as you can stand it, then walk away when you've had enough, with a chunck o' money in the bank.

Railroad Retirement pays a better pension than does social security but I would expect the RRB of today will no longer exist when one who hires out today retires thirty or more years from now.  If one plans on "going the distance" then this should be taken into account.

Health care is not what it used to be either, though it is better than most or none at all.

If I were considering a railroad career today, I would think twice, even though being an engineer was something I wanted to do.  As a third generation railroader, like Conductor Budgie, with 293 years of seniority in my family, it was pretty much a case of pre-destination.  This, coupled with that fact I was able to work for the late, great Southern Pacific on the Sacramento and Oregon Divisions, made railroading a very gratifying occupation, even with the trade off for the unusual sacrifices that had to be made.

If single when hiring out, pick a spouse who can handle it, if thinking of marriage.  The divorce rate amongst rails is three times that of the national average.  If he/she is not one who can function well independently of the spouse there is definately trouble ahead.

There is one other important point to ponder.  Almost all class 1 carriers did alot of hiring during the WWII years and in the post war economic boom that quickly followed.  The seniority roster turns over every thirty to thirty five years or so, and we are in the midst of another changing of the guard, and will be for a few more years.  Even with fewer positions being filled there will be a relatively high demand for qualified people to fill the vacancies left by we dinosaurs.  That means that someone hiring out today can expect to gain seniority rapidly, and THAT is the name of the game.  The timing couldn't be much better.

So, there is much to consider if contemplating employment with a rail carrier, either as a "hit and run" tactic or a life long, demanding (but rewarding) career as a railroad professional.

Good luck and keep the wheels on the steel.

Answer 5

Hiring on now is vastly different from even 10 years ago.  The railroad has seen much change in the last 50-60 years, and it will be pointed out to you by your mates with some seniority, if you hire on.

Realize that the railroads these days are on a massive drive for efficiency.  Basically, they're trying to do more, with less.  That means more work out of less employees, more freight volume on less track mileage, and more tonnage pulled with fewer locomotives.

A lot depends on who you work for.  Some short line employees say it's the smartest move they ever made; others are quite happy to be on a Class 1, or a passenger/commuter road.

Your greatest asset when you first hire on is your ignorance.  You don't know what it was like to work there 10, 20, or 30 years ago, so you won't relish "the good old days", and complain about life as it is now.

Remember that when you're on the railway, your social life will become small to non-existent.  You will work strange, long hours, be away from home, have an unpredictable schedule, and miss out on a lot of stuff you previously took for granted.  Not to mention you'll work in the blazing sun, darkest of nights, during heat waves, blizzards, rain storms, and everything in between.

But, then again, if you desire (mostly) stable employment, the opportunity to work lots and be well paid for it, and want a career to last you to retirement, then this might just be for you.