Info about working with trains and Conducting?

Question

I work for Union Pacific in Phoenix area. I have a friend that wants to work with them as well, he doesnt beleive what i say, so...

If somone is 18, and whats to work with trains, with high school ed, What is the best thing to do. Will Union Pacific teach him to drive, or will it take some time, What jobs can a 18 year old do with them? Whats the money like? Me personlay I work for union pacific, and I go around making sure the tracks are good. SO help my friend out :]

Answer 1

I work for UP in oklahoma, as a conductor. i would tell him to go to the UP website and look at the jobs and go to train service and they are currently like 93 jobs with UP as a conductor trainee and if he/she is 18 they are old enuogh to apply,  there are jobs available right now for arizona. fill out a app. and submit it and if they get a chance to attend a hiring session they will give you a 20 question test and if you pass with a 85 or better they will schedule you for an interview. if that goes good you will find out that dayif your hired. and its medical exams and stuff next. they will pay i think 130 dollars a day to you while they send you to conductor school. it 13--16 weeks and then when you pass your final test, its off to starting your new job @ 70,000 a year

Answer 2

18 is the minimum age.  High school diploma minimum education requirement.  

Though illegal to discriminate due to age, his chances may be better if he were a bit older.  A more mature outlook goes a long way where railroading of any type is concerned, let alone positions in the operating department, such as conductor or engineer.

No one hires out as a hoghead.  You must become a conductor first, then take promotion to the seat on the right hand side.  Often times it helps to be an employee before applying to become a conductor, but these positions are filled "off the street" as well.

Though a college degree is not presently a requirement, prospectives will be given a reading/comprehension test.  If you cannot read and retain at college level, you don't stand much of a chance at all.

There are also tests administered for logic capacity, basic mathematical skills as well as color perception.  Employees must pass the required physical exams, which includes hearing and sight as well, in addition to pre-employment drug screening and ongoing random or required drug screening as required by FRA statutes.

The days of the overall clad, cigar puffing, grizzled old hogger behind the throttle are long gone.  Today's trains are relatively high tech, in some instances, extremely heavy in most instances,

requiring physical activity and sharp mental acuity, and, an attribute often not mentioned, which is good eye-hand co-ordination.

But, your young friend shouldn't be discouraged. Given his age and not knowing his abilities, I would recommend beginning a railroad career in another department (mechanical, maintenance of way, B&B, engineering, etc.) before trying to transfer into the operating department, however.

Good luck to the both of you.