Union Pacific Conductor Training?

Question

I've taken all my tests and am waiting on Union Pacific to call me for a start date. Once i start how long does training take, how many tests are there during the class, and what is the pass rate and do i actually move to the city called or wait until after training

Answer 1

Once you get a start date, it is 12-14 weeks of training.  First you will have 3 weeks in a classroom, learning brakeman/switchman stuff, learning the safety rules, air brake rules, track authority rules, and rules that will apply working in the yard.  Then you will go work in the yard for 4 weeks, each week with a different yard crew, the main goal is to learn the layout of the yards.  Then you will go back to class for 2 more weeks, learning more about what a conductor does, after that, you will go out on the road for 3-4 weeks with a conductor, probably going two or three different directions, learning a little about the territory and the conductors respnonsibilities on the road.  After that, they turn you loose to work on your own.  

About the tests, there are 4 (if I remember correctly) during the first 3 week session, and a couple during the 2nd 2 week session.  In my class, we started out with 15, and by the time we got to the end of the 2nd classroom session, we were down to 9 people.  I didn't think the tests we difficult, if you pay attention, and try to understand why the rules are the way they are, instead of just trying to memorize them.  

If you don't live in the city where you are training, if it is more than 40 miles away, UP will put you up in a hotel, usually the same one where the classes are being taught.  Good luck, and if you have any other questions, feel free to email me.  I'll answer any as best as I can.

Answer 2

Well, you will most likely start out as a brakeman or switchman depending on the location but it is still the same servie, just the entry level for conductor and eventually engineer.

Not sure any more, the class used to be a week of classroom with another two or three on the job.

Probably a quiz each day and a final test.

Dont worry about the tests, unlike school, it is actually the instructors job to know you are properly instructed.

The railroad will absolutely not want you out there until you know the safety and basic rules and if you are willing to learn, they will make sure you have every opportunity.

The pass rate will be almost 100%, you will have to know the material but they will be there to help.

Take your training and then see where you are assigned to, most seniority districts are quite large and you may be assigned to an outlying terminal.

Good Luck and Congratulations!!

and if you have further questions, you can post here, there are a number of current and ex UP employees on herre daily.