How long do freight train engineers work?

Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Federal regulations require a minimum number of rest hours for train operators. Locomotive engineers and conductors whose trains travel long routes can be away from home for long periods of time.

Is being a train engineer a good job?

You can make decent money as a train engineer Quite often, working as a train engineer will be enough for a pretty decent lifestyle and if you work hard and get some promotions, you may even be able to afford some luxury in the long run. Sure, you will not make millions as a train driver.

Is it difficult to be a train engineer?

The actual hardest part of all, is being on call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no clue as to when it will be time to go to work, or which train will be worked, or sometimes which route will be used depending on the different routes or directions that an engineer could be called upon to operate the trains.

How many engineers are on a freight train?

Now, freight train crews usually comprise two members: one engineer responsible for operating the locomotive and one conductor responsible for the train itself and the freight it is carrying.

How do I become a freight train engineer?

To become a railroad engineer, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent and 1-3 months of on the job training with specialized equipment, classroom instruction and periodic continuing education and training. You must receive railroad engineer certification from the Federal Railroad Administration.

How do train conductors poop?

The traditional method of disposing human waste from trains is to deposit the waste onto the tracks or, more often, onto nearby ground using what is known as a hopper toilet. This ranges from a hole in the floor to a full-flush system (possibly with sterilization).

What do railroad engineers do?

A railroad engineer sometimes titled a locomotive or train engineer, runs the locomotive – the vehicle that provides the energy for the train to move. The railroad engineer reports problems with the train’s condition, keep the train on schedule and observe safety procedures.