Wich is better to work for? BNSF/CSX/UP/NS/IC/CN/CP?

Question

thinking about getting out of the marines. I've heard alot of the BN guys complain about the merger with the SantaFe. And I've heard alot of UP guys complain. Havent heard much about the others.

I would want to be a conductor

Answer 1

BNSF is by far the best to work for! I worked for UP for about 6 months and I can tell you that they suck! I now work for BNSF (3 years) and I love my job! Good people, great pay, little to no work, fun! I am on the conductors extra board and in 2 weeks I have worked 5 days and got paid guarantee ( $3,400 ) not bad for 5 days of work! If you need a reference let me know.

Answer 2

The best company I have ever heard of is Norfolk Southern. They are a large Fortune 500 company and I have several friends who left other railroads to work for them. Most people I have heard that went to work for them stay with them. They can be hard to get in with. You can apply on-line and they list all the jobs in all the areas of availability.

Answer 3

csx

Answer 4

BEST RAILROAD TO WORK FOR:

I would have to go with NS.  NS has a legacy of keeping the tracks well maintained, the pay is lower, but NS pays for your tuition for conductor school, etc.   And the railroad seems to run like clockwork.

IT COMES DOWN TO WHO HAS THE STRONGEST UNION:

-Yes BNSF and UP may be great to work for, but the railroads aren't as they say they are.  The same goes for CSX, unsure of Candian Railroads and IC is now under the CN.



-The reason for the complaints is one union is stronger than another union and that allows for employees to receive different pay rates, benefits, union representation, etc.  With these unions it also comes down to who is responsible for what and nothing gets done.

-For Ex.---In Richmond, VA; CSX has a yard called ACCA Yard.

   In the past before CSX was formed, ACL, Seaboard, RF&P and C&O all worked and used ACCA Yard together.  Now it is boiling down to who does trackwork, add this/that, etc.

-This has come down to the strongest unions in CSXT.

-The C&O Union got the best out of the deal:

     -C&O Crews (as they call themselves) work ACCA YARD

     -Pay is based on hours, yard limits, road,  engine axles,etc

-The RF&P Union:

     -RF&P Crews just pull trains in/out of Acca Yard

     -Pay is based on hours, engine axles

-The SCL Union

     -SCL guys just have Bryan Park Shops, and pull trains in and out of Acca Yard

     -Pay is based on hours, enigne axles

Since CSX is a Corporation, why don't they make everyone equals.  As I said before it comes down to the union you are in.  

WORST RAILROAD TO WORK FOR:

The worst one to work for is CSXT because they never maintain their locomotives or track.  So something always go wrong.

In the last few weeks here in VA, CSX has had to close the Anacostia River Bridge (the bridge tracks were misalligned, which means the infrastructure of the bridge was about to collapse),  AND trains have derailed at the following locations due to POOR MAINTENANCE:

-Trash Car (empty) derailed at Centralia Interlocking on CSX's North End Sub.

-Trash Car derailed/broke in half (empty) along the James River on CSX's James River Sub.

-Two Boxcars (loaded) derailed in Fulton Yard on CSX's Peninsula Sub.

-Derailment in Ohio this past week.

So if someone says to work for CSX, you better be in management because you are held responsible for derailments, etc, until the source of the problem is found.

Go and apply for NS and enjoy it!!!!

Answer 5

PLEASE DONT WORK FOR CSX !!!!!

Answer 6

By way of first hand experience, avoid the UP at all cost.  

It would seem the BNSF sucks the least, judging from what I hear about them.

Answer 7

norfolk southern. the company owns the conductor training school in mcdonnough ga. tthey pay for your training. csx sends you to school but you get stuck with the bill. from what i've heard it's like 5000 bucks.

Answer 8

I would avoid the big railroads at all cost I worked for UP for 2 yrs. I was never home and their power is by far the worst I've ever driven I worked for BNSF for 1 yr. they where a little better but screwed me on vacation. TRRA a switching railroad in St.Louis and couldn't be happier I work a shift instead of on call and 15 guys are supposed to retire in the next 4 years so seniority is moving quick

Answer 9

You are probably better off where you are at, R.R. Pay is good but the hours are long 12 to 16 or more, Will never see your family, Single man OK, Married man NO