Set work schedule...

Is there a chance to get a set work schedule working as a train service position at UP?

Probably not right away. It really depends on when and where you hire out, but more likely than not you will find yourself on an extra board for at least a year or two. But yes, in terminals where switching is done you can eventually hold jobs with set hours and assigned rest days.

Thanks Delta for your helpful comments.

In most cases a "normal schedule" on freight railroads only happens when you can hold either a yard job or a local, which generally go to the older guys.

Depending on the region, road and district, it can be twenty years and more.

On CSX Northern Division (seniority division) which is the X-Conrail, men with 25 years still cannot hold yard jobs or A0 runs...the only scheduled runs available.

Not true for the entire Northern Region. There are many young guys holding yard jobs and locals on the eastern end such as Framingham, Worcester and Boston (including Readville).

What are locals?

uprr wrote:What are locals?

Also known as "travelling switchers".

Locals are the dogs! Somedays you get off in good time others your held in a siding in the middle of nowhere till you die. But they can be a good trip train they just do all the work between a and b

Yeah, give it about 25 years, you should be able to hold a regular daylight job by then, no problems. Unless, that is, they find a way to give the idiot boxes to clerks, after taking them away from the new-hire trainmen, then it might take 40 years!!!