If I work for bnsf how long do I have to be a train conductor before I move to engineer?

Question

I was planning on going to N.A.R.S. and working for bnsf because its pretty close to where I live (both the college and the kc rail yard) I was wondering how much I would make a year. I was hoping to get on the long routes since I dont have a life now it wouldnt matter how long I was gone. Mabey home 6 to 7 days a month (not in a row) would be fine with me. Do you what that would pay yearly? Also how long do you think I would have to work as a train conductor before I become an engineer?

Answer 1

I HAVE BEEN WITH NORFOLK FOR 2 YEARS AND IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHERE U ARE AND HOW FAST THEY NEED YA I NO I AM IN THE CLEVLAND AREA AND SOME HAVE GONE IN 3 YEARS BUT WHEN I GOT HIRED THEY TOLD ME I WOULD GO WITHIN 5 YEARS AS THEY ARE REALLY TRYING TO GET RID OF CONDUCTOR JOB WITH EVERY TRAIN COMPANY I WAS ON TEST TRAIN FOR GE AND COMPUTER WAS DRIVING THE TRAIN FOR BOUT 100 MILES HOPE I HELPED YA I LOVE IT THU WORKING OUT HERE IS GREAT JUST MISS MY KIDS SOME TIME BUT THE MONEY IS GREAT

Answer 2

Rail traffic is healthy, UP is short of people in some locations, but I know BNSF has hired a lot of employees lately too.

The VERY BEST thing to do to get hired is make sure the hiring person knows you are willing to locate to whatever location you are asked to.

that is one of the first things thay want to know.

With large or system wide seniority you will eventually be able to bid into the location you want.

Promoition from switchman to conductor and then to engineer is based on needs of the company, I would guess an everage right now is 3 1/2 to 5 years but I may be wrong there, it varies.

It can be quite short, as little as a year and a half, all depends on how fast they need you.

Herre is a fact to keep in mind, there are a LOT of railoraders in my age group, which is ancient, I trained under Fred Flinstone, in the next 5 years there will be the beginnings of a HUGE exodus going into retirement.

For anyone wanting to go railroading right now, I would have to say the future looks bright if you are willing to move, and work nights and holidays.

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Yes, it depends on manpower needs.

It is worth mentioning that, at least on UP property, you get two shots to make promotion.  If you fail both, employment as a conductor is terminated, unless agreements have changed of late.

Eventually, everyone working in the operating department will both a conductor and an engineer.  The move is toward a "master" working list.  One day you work as a conductor, the next day as an engineer, 3 more trips as conductor, then engineer, etc.  If they need a conductor or engineer, you'll be called to serve as either.

This means that, unlike the good ol' days, once taking promotion to engineer, it doesn't get you off the ground, as in the past.

Answer 4

The rumor around here is: the Federal Railroad Administration is going to, or has already, passed a regulation stating that you have to be a railroad employee for at least 5 years before you can get an engineer certification.  I fell just under the wire, and a lot of us are going to engineer school NOW so as to get set up before this goes into effect.

Answer 5

Not long enough.

Answer 6

Good luck With getting a job with BNSF.  My brother went to Nars in May, and applied with a coulpe of different job locations, and he still dosen't have a job. Try Union Pacific first you don't have to spend any money out of pocket. They foot the bill for all the training. Good luck .  To answer your question with UP you can bid on a engineer bid right out of school, and there is a good chance you will get it. Pay has a wide range depending on when and where you hire out as $35,000 and up the first year, because you will be training alot. To 75,000+ as a conductor .

Answer 7

Forget the Train service, get a job in the signal dept.  All the major roads are desperate for signalmen, Money's good and the work isn't to hard.