Where do i go after highschool to become a locomotive engineer?

Question

give me

1. location

2.age

3.courses i need

Answer 1

Go to the railroads and ask for guidance on this.    Don't buy any of the BS handed out by these "school",    they can train you for anything,   but not employ you.    Often times,  the railroad will  train you  if they feel you would make a safe and valuable employee.

Answer 2

Go to the Internet on sites like uprr.com. There check out the job link. You will not see a listing for engineer. You must hire out on the ground and pay your dues. You should look for jobs in train service; i.e. brakeman/ switch man. Then as you take promotion to conductor you wait again for a fireman's class to open. Then you bid by your seniority on the railroad. As far as location the railroad hires in all states west. Your age is not a prerequisite. No high school or college courses are required, but a command of the English language is important as well as excellent vision and physical abilities.

Now the bad news. If you work for the railroad you will have no life. Though your family will live a nice lifestyle; you will have  NO life. You will be on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. If you like having a set schedule, the railroad is not for you. If you like seeing your kids ball games; the railroad is not for you. If you like having Saturday and Sunday off; the railroad is not for you. If you didn't marry Mother Teresa or another Saint; then a family is not for you. If the railroad wanted you to have a family; they would give you one. Am I trying to talk you out of a career on the railroad, YES! The work is very hard. In all the worst weather in the world. Stay in school and get a college education. Become a lawyer and have a good life.

Answer 3

Under normal circumstances, people start out as conductors also known as switchmen. In order to be hired as a conductor you would need to go to Conductor School. Go to each railroad's website to see if they're hiring. Some railroads will pay for your schooling. You'll have to do some research. There are also schools that you could attend at your own expense. Go to the railroad retirement board's website for a list of railroads. With time you will have the opportunity to become an engineer.

Answer 4

If you want to have a successful career as a locomotive engineer (successful being the key word), you need to:

1. Be able to read well and comprehend what you read (At college level.  Does not mean you must have college. But ability to perform at that level is paramount.);

2. Be able to retain what you read;

3. Make fairly complex mathematical calculations;

4. Be in good health with good hearing and eyesight (yes, glasses are acceptable as long as visual acuity is correctable within the required parameters.  Any lack of color perception is an immediate disqualification).

5. Have full range of motion in the extremities as well as meeting height requirements (Height requirement is not a discriminatory policy.  You must be able to get on and get off of moving equipment.  Under a certain height, a person cannot board and de-train safely, owing to the height of stirrups and grab irons).

6. Good eye / hand coordination is a plus.

7. Having "brass ones" is a plus / must.  There are times when you will be scared sh**less.  If you can't get past that, then you'll be runnin' scared for the next 35 years, as you come to the realization that the road to h**l is made of steel.

8. Of course, if you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, you needn't waste every ones' time by applying.

As pointed out above, the rigors of the service are many.  Railroading is not a job.  It is a calling.  Not everyone is cut out for it, good money or no.  

But, if and when promoted to locomotive engineer, you become a member of a rather exclusive fraternity, and gratification comes in ways other than a paycheck.  Like when a pushy train challenges you and your skill, and you win. Paycheck doesn't compare with that.  Gratification is immediate, as the conductor kisses the platform on arrival.

If you can comply with all of the above, then you're good to go right now.  If not, these are the areas where you need work.

Go for it.  The younger the better, and yesterday is the time to do it...

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

The best thing to do is apply for a job at a railroad ramp that is looking for engineers. They will send you to school. I work for CSX and they send trainees to Atlanta Georgia for like 6-8 weeks. There's also a year probation period on the job. The last person who said you'd have no life they are pretty much right. The hours are long but the pay is good. Think about what you want more. Money or family.

Answer 6

to a Technical College

Answer 7

Go on any major RR site and put an on-line application for your area. Then if your get hired you'll be an engineer sooner than you think. All the new hires, anyone hired after 1985, are subject to mandatory promotion account the national agreement from the United Transportation Union. You'll get your wish if you get hired. Say goodbye to your social life when you sign on the dotted line Son and good Luck!!!!!