An Excellent Job Opportunity
"Find a job you like and you add five days to every week." H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
My husband applied for a railroad job and landed a conductor position with BNSF in 2006. We would like to help you do the same. At 40-something the retirement package is going to make things comfortable, can you imagine if you hook up in your 20's or 30's?
Our goal is to give you important information and links, the rest is up to you ... persist and post your information correctly.
Please post your question/s in the Q&A form below...we are here to help.
Contents at a Glance
Using Your Computer to Connect
Things You Need When Applying
- Resume: create your own, ask a trusted friend or associate for assistance, or contact a professional if you are stumped.
- Work history: If it is:
~ limited highlight your goals
~ from a different industry emphasize your skills
~ a lateral move focus on your desire for change. - Current references: make sure to contact your references to let them know someone from 'XYZ' company may be calling them for a reference.
Tips and hints:
- Once you have designed your resume make sure to also save one in a plain text document, most job boards misconstrue templated or HTML language.
- When you are ready to apply for a job online pay attention to 'true/false' and 'yes/no' responses, plus review ALL your information before hitting submit.
- No BS needed, simply represent yourself.
Setting Up Your Email
It's all in the details :)
- Make sure your email address is professional. For instance, roadkiller@abc.com or 69lover@somewhere.com should be changed to something more mainstream...like your name or initials.
- And if you are using your initials make sure they don't turn out like this!
- There are several free email servers, I have listed a few below. Make sure to read their spam policy and set up your account accordingly.
- Do a Google or Mamma search for 'free email accounts'
BNSF Railroad
Links and Information
**When you post your resume and personal information make sure to set-up email reminders and updates**
Careers: "I'm Matt Rose, BNSF's chairman, president and CEO. Thank you for your interest in learning more about BNSF and the range of career opportunities we have available for you.
As you navigate through our site, you will find that BNSF is on the frontier of shaping the future of the freight railroad industry. We play a vital role in the global economy and..."
History: "Today's BNSF Railway is the product of some 390 different railroad lines that merged or were acquired during more than 150 years.
While many different railroads combined to form the modern BNSF Railway, all shared one or more common features:..."
Diversity: "We've covered great distances in our diversity journey at BNSF, and it all begins with every employee valuing the differences we each bring to the workplace."
Photo Permission from Jusben on MorgueFile
Role of an Engineer
- Receive starting instructions from conductors
- Move controls such as throttles and air brakes to drive the locomotive
- Monitor instruments that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, and air pressure, both in the brake lines and in the main reservoir
- On the open rail and in the yard, they confer with conductors and traffic control center personnel via two-way radio or mobile telephone to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, and the locations of trains
- Interpret and comply with orders, signals, speed limits, and railroad rules and regulations
- Have a thorough knowledge of the signaling systems, yards, and terminals on the routes over which they travel
- Must be constantly aware of the condition and makeup of their train, because trains react differently to acceleration, braking, and curves, depending on the grade and condition of the rail, the number of cars, the ratio of empty cars to loaded cars, and the amount of slack in the train.
Resource: JobBank USA
Photo Permission from Jusben on MorgueFile
BNSF Railroad Wiki
The BNSF Railway headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the four remaining transcontinental railroads and one of the largest railroad networks in North America. Only the Union Pacific Railroad is larger in size. With globalization, the transcontinental railroads are a key component in the containerization of trade from the Pacific Rim. The BNSF Railway moves more intermodal freight traffic than any other rail system in the world.
It was formed December 31, 1996, as the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway was merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad. In 1999 the BNSF...
RR Terminology
A few slang terms that are a hoot!
Beans = mealtime
Foamer = people infatuated with trains
Hogger = Engineer
1,000 mile sandwich = PB&J sandwich
Click here for more RR terms.
UP Railroad
Links and Information
**When you post your resume and personal information make sure to set-up email reminders and updates**
Careers: "Never in Union Pacific's 145-year history have there been as many opportunities for employment and rapid advancement as there are today. With baby boomers retiring in record numbers and the intense demand for our transportation services, we're hiring in unprecedented numbers in every part of our company."
History and Photos: "This is the story of the first transcontinental railroad; the greatest, most daring engineering effort the country had yet seen. The time was the 1860s. Imagine the task. The idea was to span the west with iron rails from Omaha to Sacramento, to build a railroad across two-thirds..."
Fun Facts: Highlighting the lighter side of life is always a good thing. Enjoy!
Role of the Conductor
- May move engines using radio control devices.
- Before a train leaves the terminal, the conductor and the engineer discuss instructions received from the dispatcher concerning the trains route, timetable, and cargo.
- Use two-way radios and mobile telephones to communicate with dispatchers, engineers, and conductors of other trains.
- Use dispatch or electronic monitoring devices that relay information about equipment problems on the train or the rails and arrange for the removal of defective cars from the train for repairs at the nearest station or stop.
- Additionally, they may discuss alternative routes if there is a defect in, or obstruction on, the rails.
Resource: JobBank USA
Photo Permission from willyir on MorgueFile
UP Railroad Wiki
The Union Pacific Railroad (), headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman.
UP's route map covers most of the central and western United States west of Chicago and New Orleans. As of 2005, UP operates on of track, of which it owns outright , both numbers representing the highest amount of any railroad currently operating in the United States. It has achieved this size thanks to purchasing a large number of other railroads, notably the Misso...
Railroad Information
Railroad Radio "RailroadRadio.net is the most popular live railroad radio site on the internet. (Categorized by Time Zone, and listed roughly in a North to South order)."
Railroad Links Directory "Over 5,000 railroad links. We've searched the web to bring you the best in railroad websites. Hop on board at the Information Train Station and travel to train sites around the world. Online since 1996 and continually adding more listings, we're one..."
Association of American Railroads You could actually spend hours on this site! Covers a myriad of topics all about...you guessed it...the railroad.
Photo Permission from Jusben on MorgueFile
CN Railway
Links and Information
**When you post your resume and personal information make sure to set-up email reminders and updates**
Careers: "CN's goal is to be the best transportation company in North America. Employees working in rail yards, offices and intermodal terminals all bring essential skills to the process and play an important role in keeping our operations running smoothly."
Ports and Docks: "CN-served port facilities provide you with effective entry to the vast North American markets. We are also a key resource for any company interested in global trade. No matter where you are in the world - Asia, Europe, Africa, or the Americas - or where your customers are, there is a CN-served port perfectly situated to meet your needs."
About CN: "Over the years, CN has built solid relationships with the communities through which our trains pass, based on our mutual responsibility to ensure the safety of citizens and employees."
Photo Permission from Jusben on MorgueFile
Role of the Yardmaster
Resource: JobBank USA
Photo Permission from manuere on MorgueFile
CN Railway Wiki
The Canadian National Railway (CN; AAR reporting marks CN, CNA, CNIS, GTW, CV, CVC, CVQ, IC, CEDR, CC, WC, AC, DTI, DWP) is a Canadian Class I railway operated by the Canadian National Railway Company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.
CN is the largest railway in Canada, in terms of both revenue and the physical size of its rail network and is currently Canada's only transcontinental railway company, spanning Canada from the Atlantic coast in Nova Scotia to the Pacific coast in British Columbia....
US Railroad Retirement Board
RR Job Vacancies Reported to the RRB
**Additional Job Board Links**
Hot Jobs on Yahoo: "Even if you're not ready to leave your job, you can make sure a better opportunity doesn't pass you by..."
Monster Jobs: Join this FREE job network site to access jobs and company searches, plus excellent advice about resumes,cover letters, etc.
USA Jobs: Provided at no cost and offers information on 42,893 U.S. government job opportunities worldwide.
CSX Transportation
Links and Information
**When you post your resume and personal information make sure to set-up email reminders and updates**
Careers: Our Vision: "To be the safest, most progressive North American Railroad, relentless in the pursuit of customer and employee excellence."
Awards and Recognition: "We're proud to be nationally recognized by several organizations and publications for our ongoing dedication to excellence, best practices and a diverse workforce."
Environmental Stewardship: "Safety and the protection of human health and the environment are fundamental to CSX's management principles and good business practices." - Michael J. Ward, Chairman, President and CEO
Railroad Job Search Q&A
Please post your relevant question here. We will get back to you with an answer. We also encourage other reader's to give their feedback. Random or off topic entries will be deleted immediately.**Important note** If you do not hear back from the railroad and really want to 'get on the train':
- Be persistent (don't harass); find out who your local rep is and call or e-mail a cover letter.
- Don't be intimidated! Instead of letting the job description rule, apply with confidence. Describe your best qualities for the position, even if it's two or three out of ten requirements.
- Refresh your RR job board listing and search/post for jobs on a weekly basis.
- If you have military experience contact your local Job Source office for advice.
- Contact family and friends to find out if they know someone working with the RR. Sometimes a good reference or connection will get you headed in the right direction.
Photo Permission from Jusben on MorgueFile
Just wanted to express thanks for the website and all the encouraging information. I am currently working for the airlines. With little over two years in and formerly laid off with the possibitlities of another lay off from the airlines, I am searching for railroad employment. Would love the security and benefits of a railroad position. I have applied for conductor positions in four different locations. I hope the information on this website can further my chances of employment with the railroad as well as a peace of mind from further layoffs.
Posted September 15, 2008
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clouda9
Just type in the box, add the security word, and hit SAVE. Once the comment is approved it will appear here with an answer. Posted August 06, 2008 |
CSX Transportation Wiki
CSX Transportation is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the CSX Corporation. It is one of the three Class I railroads serving most of the East Coast, the other two being the Norfolk Southern Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway.
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RR Poll Question
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Contact me if you have ANY question/s
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poddys
Wow great lens. I love the old photos - who doesn't like steam trains! 5***** Posted August 07, 2008 |
I just retired and have always wanted to pursue a Railroad Job. I am a Retired Beautician,Owner/Operator and also worked the last 7 years for a Retirement Complex (4 Story).I am a people person. I have a loving family and they say "Great" go for it.Had a wonderful experience on a trip from Oakland Ca. to Salt Lake and spent 3 days then onto Denver,Colo. for 3 days and then back to Oakland. The history was fabulous,people we met and the R.R. employees made our vacation heartwarming,and the "Best Vacation" ever. I think now is my time to return the favor to young Family's traveling today. I hope this is what your Blurb wanted> Thank-you, Sue Kravitz E-Mail address sue-kravitz@sbcglobal.net Thanks for any information?
Posted July 25, 2008
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rose08
very adorable job:) Posted July 20, 2008 |
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mulberry
Excellent lens, my husband has "fantasized" about becoming a trucker, but actually I think this would be a better fit. Posted June 18, 2008 |
Model railroading is my hobby of choice. The world you create, where you create it, and how much time you spend in it... is entirely over to you. A highly recommended hobby! http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/modelrailroadquestions.html
Posted April 13, 2008
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MyKidsInheritance
Welcome, and thank your wife for me. Added you to featured and 5 stars here, best of luck!! Posted November 18, 2007 |
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SemperFidelis
Very nice first lens. You did about as good a job on this lens as any experienced lensmaster. Keep up the good work and make some more of these! :o) Posted October 22, 2007 |
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Tolovus
Well organized lens. I've always heard that a railroad job is a good choice. If I ever decide to pursue a career with a RR, I'll be using your advice! Posted October 22, 2007 |
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rockycha
Great lens! A fiver :) carrie/rockycha Posted October 22, 2007 |
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