Being a train driver is a (childhood) dream of many -- much more so than bus drivers, truck drivers, and probably even pilots. Then why is it impossible to find how to become a real-life train driver?

With Internet, I've been able to figure out how to get any job, including what are the qualifications, what tests are required, who'll hire you, hiring timeline, salary range, etc. Greyhound driver, pilot, investment banker, software engineer, no problem. But how does one become an Amtrak train driver, or even drive trains for a company like CSX? What's the pay? What are the hours? Are there growth opportunities?

Sites like CSX's list every other job type except actually making trains move. Is it a super-secret club? What's the deal?

If you are a train driver or know some, please share whatever info you have. I also remember a thread from a few years ago from a real-life train driver, complete with photos from the driver's seat. Does anyone have a link to that?

Thanks.

pula caca, man

http://www.google.com/bloard

http://www.thewvsr.com/images/archie.jpg

driving a train is cool and not gay

While I am not technically employed by the railroad industry, I am happy to share my research on this topic.

SPECIMEN #1 - Grayson Carver, Male, 37. Divorced (ex-wife Marisa, 39), with two biological daughters (Katy, 8 and Steffi, 11). Occupation: railroad conductor for Amtrak, train #774. Route: Pacific Surfliner, San Diego to San Luis Obispo and back, daily and sometimes on weekends (varies seasonally). Grayson takes a bathroom break between 10:40 and 11:05 AM every day at the San Juan Capistrano station. During this break, he is not amenable to being approached and asked about trains.

SPECIMEN #2 - Geoff Rhames, Male, 56. Married (wife Allison, 44), no children. Occupation: former train conductor, now self-employed engineer hired for regular maintenance by Amtrak. Repairs all Amtrak trains but services Grayson’s train at a slightly higher rate (~1.15, sample size is small enough that this may be statistical noise). No romantic feelings toward the trains or toward Grayson (very emphatic about this).

SPECIMEN #3 - Ashley Katz, Female, 34. Single, no children. Occupation: railroad conductor for Amtrak, train #796. Route: California Coastal Line, Roseville to San Diego and back, 3-4 times weekly (varies seasonally). Beautiful queen of the rails. Black hair flows like sensual crude oil. Kisses the speeding air with her honeyed luscious lips. Has not read Atlas Shrugged. Overly litigious, takes out restraining orders against people who have done nothing wrong.

I hope this information is useful to you.

why do so many of the bullies at school indicate to me they're in the rail industry with my mother? Whys mom working together with the bullies? Doesnt make Cense,Cant she fire them or strike or w/e. I told them about workers "rights" and they said they had a different spelling r-i-t-e??? Bullies are geting more obscure by the day

The rail biz got popular what with shows like RAILIN' and MIAMI BOXCAR on discovery channel- now with those and Thomas the tankenging every chump with a striped hat and overalls thinks they got what it takes to be Mr. Conductor. It's a hard biz to squeak into these day and anyone with real locomotive talent has to work twice as hard just to be seen these days- to many dabblers and wannabes killing the current rail scene basically

train is heavy.

I'm Chuck Norris Today!
Me: Mom I'm going to join Uncle Bill in the big house.
Mom: What! Don't kill yourself!
Me: What are you talking about killing myself! I'm going to kill the 4 people who disliked this song. Remember Uncle Bill is in jail.
Mom: Oh yeah. Your doing it all by yourself?
Me: Why would I if there are 1121 people who would be glad to help me?!
Mom: Ok. Bye love you.
Me: I don't love you too. Just kidding. Bye.

http://i.imgur.com/n1bec.jpg

still relevant, after all these years