The world has changed with respect to railroading. I hired out in 1967 as a brakeman for the defunct SP. Two weeks OJT at a buck sixty an hour. After two weeks, the other newbie brakie and I were assigned to Englewood Yard because of some agreement between the SP and the union regarding some 'disagreement'. 3 months there working day and night shifts. Good training. Post Englewood I went on the extra board and was immediately called out. lol. After a few months, an opening came up on one of the locals and I got it. I didn't have to bid for it and no senior person wanted it because this particular local did all the work. Most times we were caught by the Hog Law, 16 hours in those days, and tied up in a siding waiting for a freight to stop and take us and our train to our turn around. Rule book? Yeah, I got one and it was up to each person to study it. No classes. Nada. What I learned over the years, especially in the beginning, was there are a lot of backstabbers out to do you in so they can make life miserable for you. When I say backstabbers, I mean the crews you work with regardless of the job. In those days, we had the engineer, the occasional fireman, two brakemen, conductor, and caboose. We didn't have communication except for hand/lantern signals. Now you've lost it all and I pity the conductor who has to lug a 90 pound knuckle half the distance or so of these monster trains. Same goes for an air hose and wrench. It was bad enough in my day, but at least a hundred cars or less was the norm. Good luck. Remember most railroads are looking for an excuse to fire you.
I had same experience hire in 67 on NYC. No training. 5 main train crew made it a bit easier, versus today’s 2 man crews, were class room training is more important
I remember sitting in a room by myself taking the Southern Pacific rules test. No classes were offered. It was up to you to study the "book of rules" and pass the test. Things have changed a lot in the past 30 years.
great videos ...can you make a video on weekly tests that you had after first and second week and what questions were in those tests please thanks in advance
I have my start date but after watching these videos I'm giving this a second thought, sounds like the training process is stressful, I might just stick to continuing my IT career.
How’s it going now tho man? I watched these videos a year ago when you made em and stumbled back here again and watched again and just curious how your jobs been goin? You should make some new videos of your progress and random updates after a year in!
Just wait till you go for LET training at the training center 10 times more intense than conductor school . 05 and 12 engineer on GS&F now Costal division G152 running as VJ pool engineer Valdosta to Jacksonville Fl but had to engineer qualify from Macon to Jacksonville on G line and B line to Lake City and work every engineer job on our seniority as we as know CSXT MONCRIEFF yard and FEC as well as track and rules of each that we operate over
Can you tell me where all the training centers are? I was just offered a conductor position in Elkhart Indiana and no one will tell me where the training is at. Just submitted my background this morning
For online homework, do we have to bring a laptop? Or do the hotels have their own computers. Also, when we are on the real job after training, are we able to use our own hard hats? I have my own custom hard hat from previous jobs
@@jwhite3784 Yes I finished school last December. It was very intense. I had to learn 4 different rule books and 7 different signals. I studied so hard and I love the job.
Do you have suggestions for study guides (either on-line or written) for the general knowledge exam? If not, what are your suggestions for passing this exam? Thanks!
You won’t find study guides on google. Once you begin training they set you up with the access to everything you’ll need including the exam it’s self. You can practice take the exam as much as you want up until it’s time to take it.
I want to come there for schooling. Does that school in GA have specific start time for classes or no. Im struggling a bit to find information on this. I would love if you could help me out to get me heading in the right direction please and thank you. Great videos also you're very informative.
Do you have to find your own way down to the training facility, or does NS provide transportation to get on down to Georgia? I’m going to apply here soon in about a month
What's it like? How's the pay?? You're the most recent comment and I'm considering doing this. Barely getting an interview next week and I'm excited for it but need more info to know what I'm getting into!
I’m going through the pre employment process with background check and drug test at the moment. I wanted to ask you how the bidding process works and can you bid to another station/city? Also how does the pay raises work for a conductor? Thanks for your time.
William Scott you can bid on other locations only if your qualified there and have the seniority. I have bid on jobs at other terminals I’m qualified at only to be bumped out by a senior man a few days later. Pay raises go by yearly..your at 80% rate your first year then goes up 5% every year till you hit 5 years at your full pay rate.
Not exactly correct. You don’t have to be qualified to place a bid. They have to qualify you if you can hold seniority there. You can bid anywhere on your district if you can hold it if you are looking to transfer to that terminal.
I carried sand which bags and also would grab a few of the plastic sleeves they gave you to put your yard sheets in..always worked well. Even better used if your doing a lot of shoving, kept a lot of wind noise off your mic so you weren’t so garbled up while trying to talk.
The training is “generally” the same. However each railroad will teach you “their” way along with specific rules that may apply to that railroad compared to others.
Completely wrong. See RDI rules 25 in British Administration. You explain yard shunting. Railway is hard work no short leave no time to meal. You want to learn day time night time and foggy whether.
Once your in training and as long as you pass the tests are you guaranteed a job. Just trying to make certain in case i get the opportunity to be chosen for a job i recently applied for.
Not really. Seen a few get out of school to only get furloughed when they get home. If you pass the training and they aren’t furloughing then yes you have a job. You are also on a 60 or 90 day probation once your otj training is over. That means no union protection and you make one mistake your are probably terminated
I enjoyed this one as much as your week one vid. You're so thorough, lol. I need to check out week 3.
The world has changed with respect to railroading. I hired out in 1967 as a brakeman for the defunct SP. Two weeks OJT at a buck sixty an hour. After two weeks, the other newbie brakie and I were assigned to Englewood Yard because of some agreement between the SP and the union regarding some 'disagreement'. 3 months there working day and night shifts. Good training. Post Englewood I went on the extra board and was immediately called out. lol. After a few months, an opening came up on one of the locals and I got it. I didn't have to bid for it and no senior person wanted it because this particular local did all the work. Most times we were caught by the Hog Law, 16 hours in those days, and tied up in a siding waiting for a freight to stop and take us and our train to our turn around. Rule book? Yeah, I got one and it was up to each person to study it. No classes. Nada. What I learned over the years, especially in the beginning, was there are a lot of backstabbers out to do you in so they can make life miserable for you. When I say backstabbers, I mean the crews you work with regardless of the job.
In those days, we had the engineer, the occasional fireman, two brakemen, conductor, and caboose. We didn't have communication except for hand/lantern signals. Now you've lost it all and I pity the conductor who has to lug a 90 pound knuckle half the distance or so of these monster trains. Same goes for an air hose and wrench. It was bad enough in my day, but at least a hundred cars or less was the norm.
Good luck. Remember most railroads are looking for an excuse to fire you.
I had same experience hire in 67 on NYC. No training. 5 main train crew made it a bit easier, versus today’s 2 man crews, were class room training is more important
I remember sitting in a room by myself taking the Southern Pacific rules test. No classes were offered. It was up to you to study the "book of rules" and pass the test. Things have changed a lot in the past 30 years.
"Remember most railroads are looking for an excuse to fire you." Aren't they short on personnel?
@@JackParsons. You'd be surprised what companies do to cut costs.
Very good video and information. You do a great job at it too.
Basic training for the railroad....love it!
great videos ...can you make a video on weekly tests that you had after first and second week and what questions were in those tests please thanks in advance
Getting started in January or February gotta be clean for the hair test but this something i want to do
I have my start date but after watching these videos I'm giving this a second thought, sounds like the training process is stressful, I might just stick to continuing my IT career.
Thanks for sharing man.
Great information
11 years deep now, very interesting career
How’s it going now tho man? I watched these videos a year ago when you made em and stumbled back here again and watched again and just curious how your jobs been goin? You should make some new videos of your progress and random updates after a year in!
Just wait till you go for LET training at the training center 10 times more intense than conductor school . 05 and 12 engineer on GS&F now Costal division G152 running as VJ pool engineer Valdosta to Jacksonville Fl but had to engineer qualify from Macon to Jacksonville on G line and B line to Lake City and work every engineer job on our seniority as we as know CSXT MONCRIEFF yard and FEC as well as track and rules of each that we operate over
I just applied, wish me luck!
Good luck with all ahead.
Can you tell me where all the training centers are? I was just offered a conductor position in Elkhart Indiana and no one will tell me where the training is at. Just submitted my background this morning
What test should I prep for as conductor training?
Well I'm feeling a bit intimidated. Thanks for heads up.
For online homework, do we have to bring a laptop? Or do the hotels have their own computers. Also, when we are on the real job after training, are we able to use our own hard hats? I have my own custom hard hat from previous jobs
I will be starting conductor classes in two weeks. All I'm hearing is that it's very intense 😬
Congratulations
@@christatum4202 Thank you
Hello, did you pass the train conductor class?
How did it go ???
@@jwhite3784 Yes I finished school last December. It was very intense. I had to learn 4 different rule books and 7 different signals. I studied so hard and I love the job.
Do you use a railroad lantern? A specific lantern? Where do you get them
What’s up how many questions are the exams? Are they multiple choice?
I just got hired and I'm 52...little worried ..
how is it?
Tell me what you have for wet gear. Interested on jacket/pants for working on trains wet weather.
Is there anyways I could contact you with some questions
How can you learn so much in two weeks and do you work with someone for amount of time until you comfortable. .one mistake could be A Catastrophe
Just got troy this week love his teaching style
Troy is an amazing instructor and will teach you how it is..keep your ears open around him and ask plenty of questions!
@@absoluteblockproduction2039 he is in week 3 now just finished signals and hazmat and switching
How long did it take for them to review your background check?
@@soundwavz it took about two to three weeks
Week 2 was just as thorough as your Week 1 video. I bet you have a very slow pulse. 😬👍
How do you get in ?
I'm just wondering what the written test is like
Do you have suggestions for study guides (either on-line or written) for the general knowledge exam? If not, what are your suggestions for passing this exam? Thanks!
You won’t find study guides on google. Once you begin training they set you up with the access to everything you’ll need including the exam it’s self. You can practice take the exam as much as you want up until it’s time to take it.
I want to come there for schooling. Does that school in GA have specific start time for classes or no. Im struggling a bit to find information on this. I would love if you could help me out to get me heading in the right direction please and thank you. Great videos also you're very informative.
Apply through their website, for where you want to work.
Do you have to find your own way down to the training facility, or does NS provide transportation to get on down to Georgia? I’m going to apply here soon in about a month
You get yourself down there and then once the course is completed and you graduate they reimburse you travel mileage.
What is the difference between HB Conductor and just Conductor? I have seen both positions posted.
To be honest with you, I don’t know. I have seen hiring announcements titled as HB conductor, And conductor-Harrisburg.
Just curious I’m 5”4 103 pounds do you think training will be a problem?
When I went it was only two weeks and no rco training
Did you get the job?
How many layoffs?
Things have changed dramatically from what your saying in this video now. I'm currently going on week 3.
What's it like? How's the pay?? You're the most recent comment and I'm considering doing this. Barely getting an interview next week and I'm excited for it but need more info to know what I'm getting into!
@@joelr.garcia377 I started my conductors class at Union Pacific I made 3600 bj weekly
I’m going through the pre employment process with background check and drug test at the moment. I wanted to ask you how the bidding process works and can you bid to another station/city? Also how does the pay raises work for a conductor? Thanks for your time.
William Scott you can bid on other locations only if your qualified there and have the seniority. I have bid on jobs at other terminals I’m qualified at only to be bumped out by a senior man a few days later. Pay raises go by yearly..your at 80% rate your first year then goes up 5% every year till you hit 5 years at your full pay rate.
Not exactly correct. You don’t have to be qualified to place a bid. They have to qualify you if you can hold seniority there. You can bid anywhere on your district if you can hold it if you are looking to transfer to that terminal.
@@ohboy2592 we were told we could only bid on locations we were qualified..but hey who knows we are told different shit every day 🤷🏻♂️😂
@@absoluteblockproduction2039 I understand. That’s ns for you.
Hey there, nice video. One suggestion. Carry a plastic bag. Why? When it rains you cover mic on radio.
I carried sand which bags and also would grab a few of the plastic sleeves they gave you to put your yard sheets in..always worked well. Even better used if your doing a lot of shoving, kept a lot of wind noise off your mic so you weren’t so garbled up while trying to talk.
I’m applying for CSX is Norfolk roughly the same? As in training
The training is “generally” the same. However each railroad will teach you “their” way along with specific rules that may apply to that railroad compared to others.
my license suspended will that be a problem or do they work with you
🤣🤣🤣
When do they do the medical exam?
How long did it take for your background check to be reviewed?
How long is the conductor training in GA?
3 weeks
Completely wrong. See RDI rules 25 in British Administration. You explain yard shunting.
Railway is hard work no short leave no time to meal. You want to learn day time night time and foggy whether.
Once your in training and as long as you pass the tests are you guaranteed a job. Just trying to make certain in case i get the opportunity to be chosen for a job i recently applied for.
Not really. Seen a few get out of school to only get furloughed when they get home. If you pass the training and they aren’t furloughing then yes you have a job. You are also on a 60 or 90 day probation once your otj training is over. That means no union protection and you make one mistake your are probably terminated
I am 63 years old. Will be possible for me to get a job there
Yes.