Is it necessary to have a car to work for Union Pacific Railroad?

Question

Would I be able to live within walking/biking distance to the trainyard? Or do they ask you to drive to other cities and towns. I currently don't have a car but would like to work for Union Pacific.

Answer 1

You don't have to have a car, but its a good idea. You have to have a valid DL to become an engineer.

UP may want you to have a car, and they may tell you have to have one. I'm not sure, I work for CSX. But, I can tell you that they have never checked my vehicle registration in over 10 years that I have been there.

I assume you will purchase a vehicle ASAP, if you did hire on. I would highly recommend it.

The railroad is a fairly simple job as long as you cover your backside, and follow the rules (no matter how remedial they seem; they will protect you) but it is a very demanding occupation.

Your lifestyle is what you sell when you work for the RR. The job is very little to no physical labor. The work itself is not very taxing mentally. But, the lifestyle the RR DEMANDS from you is relentless. And, having every convenience to assist you in getting rest between shifts, and things that relieve you from stress are not necessarily a prerequisite, to me they are definitely needed.

There is a possibility you will need a car at some point, and for some jobs, but I have worked as a conductor and a carman when I first started, and I went to work at the same place everyday, and if I didn't they had a ride waiting for me(or I waited for it, sometimes for hours :) ]. But, you should be able to get along without one for a short while. But get one ASAP. There will be a time you need one.

If I were you I would go to the yard office where you are looking to go to work, and talk to someone. Ask for a conductor or engineer, if that is what you want to work as (I am only assuming). But, they usually have a pretty good handle on things in the terminal. Don't talk to the Trainmaster about it, or any managers, because I guarantee they will say you need one, and if they see you again while trying to hire on, or after you hire on. They will have something to say about it if they remember you.

Only other advise I can give you, is be a doctor, ...or lawyer. And, if you get a position at a terminal that only has road jobs, don't get married or have kids, unless you can't stand them.

Thats what my dad told me anyway; you see how well I listened.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have anymore questions.

[e-mail]

I'll do my best to advise you, of course it will be only one perspective. Obviously, other railroaders don't see it the same way I do, but you will at least get one side of the story.

Also, I won't be able to give out certain info, due to security. Not, that you are looking for that, but just to let you know, they could fire me for that. It is very serious.

Also, put train question on the title of your e-mail to me. I get a lot of spam, and if I don't recognize you ...your spam :)

seriously, good luck

Answer 2

No you just have to get to your onduty terminal ontime but i agree that it would be in your best interest to get a car if you want to work for U.P. Depending where you would hire out you might be called to work an out lying job and the company might not provide transportation.  

Answer 3

Nope, you do not have to have a car, we should all be smart enough to live within walking/biking distance.  (but we're not lol)

If you are forced to another location temporarily they have to proviide transportation to and from as well as lodging.

If you are forced to another location on a permanent basis due to seniority you have to find your own transportaton and place to live, just the same as you do now.

You do NOT need a driver's license to become an engineer.

They check your record if you have a license but it is not required.

I work with several engineers that ride their bikes to work year round, they have vehicles but as far as the railroad is concerned they dont.