r/Train_Service

Hello all, I made a post the other day about receiving a job offer for a conductor role in Cleveland from NS. Well today I spoke with someone on Facebook from the NS new hire Facebook group who works in the same seniority district (I think he called it) and he told me that the Cleveland terminal has no room for new hires because it's a very senior terminal and that I would not be able to hold a position there. He said I would have to travel to another terminal in the district if I want to work for NS. He said it is very common and that he works with a handful of guys out of Cleveland who were also bait and switched like this.

Does this sound true to you guys? Is this something that happens? I am not going to be able to accept this job if that is the case because the closest terminal outside of the Cleveland one is an hour and a half away! I truly hope this is not true because that would be soul crushing for me! This is supposed to be my opportunity to get out of poverty, dead end job hell.

Anybody know if there's some kind of HR number I can call to confirm this? I have not seen any numbers in the automated emails I've received.

Thanks!

Can someone tell me how hos and kss apply to being a road switchers on a shortline why can't we book off fatigued

Hi everyone,
I’ve been invited for an in-person interview for the Medicine Hat conductor position this July, and I’m feeling well prepared and confident going into it. I’ve done quite a bit of research, watched the company videos, and understand the realities of the job—24/7 scheduling, being on the spareboard, time away from home, and the possibility of layoffs, especially as a new hire.
That said, I’d really appreciate a real-world perspective from people who actually know the Medicine Hat terminal.

A few questions:

How busy is the traffic there? Is it generally considered a busy terminal or a slower one?

What routes do crews typically work out of Medicine Hat?
Is there more road work or yard work for new conductors?

Realistically, how likely are layoffs in Medicine Hat these days? I know layoffs happen in railroading, but I’m curious specifically about this terminal.

For those who stayed through their first year, what did your earnings actually look like? Did you end up close to the advertised $85k-$100k+, or was it significantly different?

I’m not looking for sugar-coated answers…just an honest picture of what life is like at Medicine Hat from people who’ve lived it. Any advice or things you wish you’d known before starting would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Do they really test your hair follicles?

I did a very small amount of coke this week like a half of a gram maybe less and I’m worried about failing. I nvr even used it but been depressed and experimented.

What happened to people saying these companies need conductors and anyone with a breath can get in???

I met all their requirements, bachelor’s degree in engineering, and a few yearsof work experience. Just got both rejection email, applied to the prince george and jasper locations.

I just recently got a job offer with NS for their Conductor position. The email told me to give my Social and Date of Birth on the NS website and they would email me the background review afterwards.
I did this on Monday June 29th and it is now July 3rd and I have yet to receive an email or anything from them and my application now says “Closed” on the website. Am I missing something or do they just take a long time?

I am beyond ecstatic! I've been stuck in this loop where I can't break the entry level slave labor barrier and this is my first shot of making an actual living! I was interviewed initially by csx but they rejected me for whatever reason. I never interviewed with NS, but they sent me a job offer today!

After reading tons of reddit posts, you guys have my kind of worried though. Are people just whiny or is NS that bad? I hear the pay is lower, but is it significantly lower? I mean I'm coming from a crap job where my biweekly paycheck is only $1k, so it is a significant upgrade no matter what.

Also, do you guys believe the UP acquisition will improve things?

I live 14 mins away from my yard by car. I am planning on giving up my car to save money on car payments and insurance. I want advice if that’s a good idea or not. I do plan on buying a new vehicle cash once I save up enough money.

This subreddit popped up in my feed and was just curious how do you compare the brutal schedule in mining vs train conductor/locomotive engineer shifts?

In mining you usually work 12.5 hr with rotating day/night shifts. I started as 2*12hr days+1 day shortchange+2*12hr night shifts. Then four days off and the cycle repeats.

Was wondering how does this compete with your schedule at CN or CPKC which I know are quite brutal too lol. Although conductor rates are higher then mining entry-level rates.

So, my first time posting here and, I have been working for railcrew Xpress for almost two years now. And I want to change my career path to be a BNSF conductor I want to know which are open seniority districts, and which ones are closed because ultimately I want to come back to New Mexico but I don't want to accidentally wind up at a place where I'll permanently be stuck at. So any advice and comments would be most welcome and appreciated. Also I did my time as a long haul driver so I know the unfortunate shenanigans and I'm used to being up at different hours of the night and day.

I’m being told by my union chairman that after 0700 the fray considers it the next day if you work past it. I work midnights so my normal schedule is 2300-0700… he says that on my 5th day of service that if I stay past 0700 the fray considers it having worked my 6th day. Is this true? Is there someone somewhere I can call to verify?

Im very to myself, do what im told and just work type of guy, so i dont think other people will get to me, but i know its long hours away from home. Will the work while im on call be constant? Im assuming once the train is up and running on the tracks some portable gaming consoles and a laptop won't be a huge deal right?

I applied to the open machinist billet in upstate NY and received a rejection less than 24 hours after. I've been working in the engine room of cargo ships with similar diesel engines and hydraulic systems to trains for the past year and a half including the completion of an associated apprenticeship. Granted, I can't weld, and I don't have direct railroad experience, but I'm still surprised I got a rejection that fast. What are they looking for that I didn't fulfill?

Any BNSF engineers that transferred to Amtrak? Please let me know any tips or experience regarding that. What’s pay like? Is it better? I haven’t heard any concrete thing. Everyone has their own opinion and I’ve heard mixed things.

My medical appointment is next week. I haven't used cannabis for the past 13 days. I checked my THC level twice at home using an RST kit, and both tests were negative, although the T line was faint, but according to instructions, it still counts as negative. I'm curious about what type of drug test they'll perform(for Canada), whether it's just urine or if it's a hair drug test. I'm genuinely worried about this.

Just a heads up CN is now looking at 6+ months of attendance history and giving out NTAs. Seems like a pretty big timeline to me.

In this climate, what is the average time it takes to get seniority? Also what’s the average time spent laid off before getting a call back
Also how much are dues? and how does that work with the union ?

I really dont want to become 1 of these people and Im concerned. I'm not going to be miserable all day long, I will just quit. People say you will solely turn into of those people that you hate to work with and just at their life.

Hi everyone, I’m 1 interview in to the hiring process, I have a second one next week. I am wondering what the drug testing process is like. Is it just a urine test? Do they watch you pee?
I’m concerned id fail the drug test. I do not do any drugs or drink, but I take cbd gummies every night to sleep. It helps with my insomnia and back pain. I am completely willing to cut it out for the job. Only thing is that thc stays in your system for a while when you are a frequent user. The cbd gummies I use do have some tbh in them which is why I’m wondering if I should even continue with the hiring process.
I really do want this job though and am willing to do anything. Has been a dream of mine since a kid to work in and around locomotives .
Any help is greatly appreciated