I was wondering how much home time a train conductor has?

Question

I was wondering how much home time a train conductor has?

Answer 1

Well I cant speak for other railroads in other parts of the US. But I can say that here in Richmond, CA. (BNSF Railroad) I get about a day off every other day. The work is easy and the pay is, well, GREAT! Keep in mind, I work the road (Mainline) You can work in the yard 5 days a week and 2 days off, but the pay is not as much as on the road or a local road switcher. I made 4,800 for 2 weeks, yard would be around 2,100. So, you can work the road, make great money and only a few days off a week or you can work the yard and give up the money for a life! As for me, I work the road for a month or two, then back to the yard for a month....  If your looking for a job? www.bnsf.com

Answer 2

You should expect at least 6-7 hrs a day.  It all depends on the leader board of course.  You might get 18 hrs every once in a while.

Answer 3

Very little.  The railroads don't maintain a large work force of train and enginemen any longer, so those that they have are going around the clock.

Eight hours off between runs, less a one and one half hour call.  If trainmen work ten or 12 hours on the previous trip, they can request rest up to the same ten and 12 hour rest period, when working pool freight.  Pool freight is a rotating list of employes who have a regular run from one point to another, layover at the away from home terminal, then working home.

Some areas do have five day a week "yrad engines" that have a regular on and off duty time, with a two day weekend.  However, that weekend is probably not Saturday and Sunday.

Still others work "locals", which are usually six day a week jobs, more often working 12 hours per day, with a single rest day.

It's a hard way to make an easy living.  Tough not only on the men, but their families and loved ones as well.  That's why, from time to time, I get kind of protective of my bretheren when someone suggests railroaders are overpaid or lazy.  If one has never done it, one is not qualified to offer up an opinion in these areas, and I am alway happy to enlighten these individuals.

While we're on the subject of conductors and trains, tell someone to tell someone these trains are deadly and nothing to s***w around with.  Trains don't come looking for you.  You must put your own self in harm's way.  It therefore follows that it is up to the individual to keep himself out of the way.  Pedestrian and grade crossing fatalities are 100% preventable, but the responsibility lies with the potential victim.

Good question.  Thanks for asking.