Well, you should consider a few things before jumping into this game. You state you hate your present job. Your "new career" is a whole other ball game. Ask youself if you really want to give up those weekends off. Would you rather sleep in your own bed, or a bed that is set-up as a crew bed, where the sheets are swapped out, the tub and sink are barely cleaned after your co-worker has checked-out to catch his train home. Are you willing to sit in the cab and wait for the block to clear and move one block up for 3-4 hours before you can get into the yard? Does the thought of being alone walking to the 166th axle in a snowstorm at night to check a hotbox appeal to you? How about being in the yard at 0200 pulling pins between the 13th and 14th track with only 3' between cars and each track is moving in the opposite direction. Or trying to cover your butt when the MYO or MTO or other Manager is giving you a FTX or otherwise to try and fire your butt for 30 days.
Not that I am trying to disway you from the RR. But don't let railfanning or images of shooting down the rails at 70 MPH bring images that just aren't there. Yes, we do get paid well. Yes, the railroad has paid for my house and cars and provided many things for me and the family. I appreciate them all. But the calls from CMS at 0210 for an on duty time of 0340, the missed baseball games with junior, and telling friends and family to plan events around thier schedule, not mine, because I'll never know when the board is going to drop or move up is a constant reminder of the business I am in. Training? Well, you'll have plenty of it, although it has been parred down a bit. You'll need to know the rule book inside and out.....goto this webiste for the GCOR....
http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/rulebook/toc.html
just to get a look at some of the info. you'll be required to know...if your RR uses the GCOR. Tests and quizes almost everyday, and a couple of finals here and there which you must pass at 85%...you do get a re-take if you bomb..again..get 85% the second try....if not...then you are out.
If working holidays and nights and weekends, and having a closer "realtionship" with the guys on the board instead of your family sounds appealing, go for it. But if you don't know or are the least bit unsure, don't do it. Let another guy who wants to get on the rails come on board.
