Apply for every area you would like to work in. I did. I was asked to 4 hiring events. One each in Minot, Glasgow Montana, Miles City Montana (for the Glendive positions), and Havre Montana. I picked Minot since this is the center of activity for the Bakken Oil Patch and just about everything BNSF sends TO or takes FROM the Bakken, goes through here.
Therefore, the possibilities of being laid off or furloughed are slim to none, at least for the next decade or more. By that time, I'm sure there will be plenty of old timers retiring and making room for us youngsters to move up the seniority ladder.
Don't limit yourself to one railroad though. BNSF, UP, CSX, and NS all have regular openings. It all depends on where you want to live and work. Also, each railroad seems to have a different reputation on how they treat their employees and I am not about to open that discussion here. I will say that I'm quite happy where I'm at and although I'm still in training, I am looking forward to a long career with BNSF here in Minot. I have no plans to move anywhere else.
As a previous poster stated, BNSF is really hiring crazy up here in North Dakota and Montana. If you really want to have a chance to get on, you probably should look at applying for a position in Minot and other areas surrounding it.
In any event, good luck.
Peace, Through Superior Firepower