Get a good grip. When I hired out I probably went through four bags in a year. I spent the big bucks, and bought a Red Oxx grip, and it has served me well for 18 years. Get good rain gear. When I was new I was working a very rainy twelve hour night in the yard, about three hours in my cheap rain gear completely failed. There is nothing worse working a long night soaked all the way down. I have a Carharrt da-glo jacket, and a pair of Filsson tin cloth bibs. Yes that stuff is expensive, but if you get the good stuff, it will pay dividends. Get good boots, and take care of them. Slap some leather oil on them about once a year. Get them resoled, it’s saves money in the long run. You don’t want to be caught out walking a train or humping the lead in soaking wet blistered up feet.

Here’s some tips for new hires to survive the industry from someone whose spent a little over two decades now working for UP (that just made me feel old to say) although these tips apply to all RR's. 1. No matter what you think about a given situation, don’t argue. You will be trained to know everything, yet will be babysat as if you’re an idiot who knows nothing. As infuriating as that sounds, it’s just the way it is. You never win an argument with someone who has power/seniority over you even if you’re right. Let the facts of a given situation do the talking for you. Arguing will put a cross hair on your future with the company. Do what you’re told and save your opinions for the car ride home. 2. Don’t take things personal if things don’t go your way. You’re not promised anything in this industry for long if at all with how fast things can change. Don’t whine about the job either. Rest assure no one wants to hear someone with less experience crying about what they've had to deal with for much longer then you. Plus it shows a lack of pride and seriousness about the job that puts you on the radar of everyone you don’t want to catch the attention of. 3. Listen to those who have more experience then you and be able to adapt quickly without grievances. Yes you might know the rule books cover to cover, but on the job experience matters more then book experience any day of the week. Rule books teach you the rules. They DON’T teach you how the industry evolves over time or how different personalities within a company can effect things. If someone above you says something, they are saying it for a reason. Listen to them. Chances are they are looking out for you anyway. 4. No one likes it or wants to hear this but accept and EXPECT vast sweeping changes because they WILL happen whether you like it or not. Your opinions about them mean absolutely nothing. Changes are part of the industry and can happen at ANY point in time, for ANY length of time, and can significantly effect everything. Adapting to change isn’t optional if you want to survive in this industry. Deal with it or find new employment elsewhere. 5. This is a BIG one that I feel not many talk about but save your money. Just because you’re making a health salary today doesn’t mean you will be tomorrow. Also, ESPECIALLY if you’re new in the industry, do NOT rush out and buy that brand new truck or house you’ve had your eye on the second you start getting big paydays. If something happens, you new guys are the first ones to go. DON’T run yourself into debt before you’re confident that your job’s security will be there to dig you out of a financial hole. I know it’s tempting to start spending money once it starts coming in but do yourself and your family a favor and save your money! 6. Never think you’ve learned it all and that you can finally slack off a bit. New rules are ALWAYS being created or modified and it’s VERY easy to miss something and end up being fired or worse yet getting someone hurt or potentially even killed. Rules ALWAYS change. You never know as much as you want to think you do. 7. You’re ALWAYS being watched. Rest assure, no matter where on a particular subdivision you are, some way, somehow, someone is ALWAYS watching you to make sure you are following the rules. Don’t think because you’re out of sight that you can let your guard down. Especially if you work for a Class-1 you are literally on the verge of being stalked by management at times looking for rule breakers so they have an excuse to get rid of you. Even more so these days with PSR being the rule rather than the exception. Companies need fewer employees by the day and management is scouring every crew pool looking for any excuse to get rid of people. Banner tests are a great example of this. Always do the job with the expectation that you ARE being watched and need to prove that you’re competent and can follow the rules even if you’re in the middle of nowhere. ANY infraction WILL be noted and used against you regardless of your seniority. 8. Think of working for the railroad, like being enlisted in the military. You’re trained, your competent, you know what needs to be done, but you’re also simply a nameless part of the machine that is this industry. Don’t expect to standout or get special treatment. You earn your stripes in this industry the same way you do in the military through working smarter, not harder, and through many years of dedication. Your careers value will ALWAYS mean more to YOU then it will to anyone else. Especially management because the company ALWAYS comes first. So whether you’ve been on the job six months, or a decade, don’t think you’re invincible because you’ve got seniority. You work FOR the company, the company DOESN’T work for you. If you remember nothing else I’ve said here, remember that last line. It carries more weight then anything else. Stay safe and good luck.

This (all of it) is legitimately very interesting, insightful, helpful, and I thank you for it. Your video about week one, pulled up in the suggestions next to the introductory one from NS. Though I'm not looking into it right now, I had considered conductor/engineer for a while, and am still on the job notifications list for NS and others still, and one for conductor in Moberly her in Missouri came in and this turned into a sort of rabbit hole situation. I don't think I've seen anyone do it like you are here, and I really appreciate it.

Thanks so much for the tips! It has been a big change for me (even though ive been on the road for mining/oilfield). It is going along fine so far

Really learned a lot from you hope to get out there soon

Thanks for these videos helped me pass in McDonough

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I just got my offer a few days ago and was curious as to what to expect. School sounds like firefighter school up here so I don't think I'll have too many issues there. Anyhow thanks again.

Interesting video. Lots of good info. When I went to the hiring meeting, there was around 200 people in the room. When the Director of HR said the drug test was stringent and they would be taking hair samples of people they were interested in, he then said it was break time and if you had used any kind of drugs in the last year, you don't need to come back from break. Half the people didn't come back from break. I was amazed.

Thanks man... in McD right now... your videos were way helpful and have talked me off the ledge a few times :)

Very interesting and informative. What’s a brake stick? Thanks

Very good advice. Homework is a must. We did signals one night for about 2 hours. The rest was on you and you must take signals practice test everyday to help you understand. At my home terminal we had to carry gcor binder plus all our other books. Knowing foreign road information is hardest part of you have to do that. However, most ns terminals only run on their line or one other line. We had to know every other class 1’s and roughly 21 different yards. Also if you live in cold environment and good winter coat is a must. You can buy ns jacket and it’s very good. I’ve worked in 100 degrees all the way down to -54 with the wind chill -32 without wind chill.

Thanks a lot ,your videos are packed with good to know stuff. But one last question,may be the least of most people concerns. I have a brand new pickup truck and hate to get the insides all smudged. How dirty is the railroad? I mean do they have a place I can change clothes after work?

Anthony I enjoy your videos, when the railroad conducts a background check what do they look for, are they wanting to see no criminal convictions or can you have a few misdemeanors? Asking for a friend.

Thanks for the Info, Just had my second interview

Bro you were super hype and sounding like a conductor trainer to jus quit I thought you would have stayed if anything! But it’s a great channel brother

Hey bud 1st live the videos they are very helpful another thing how do ns look at folks with sleep apnea? I have an offer for the Danville to linwood district doing my physical on the 29th.

Just joined your site I also just had a interview with ns for Conductor

What is the difference between HB Conductor and just Conductor? I have seen both positions posted.

I know you don’t work for NS anymore and I do appreciate you making the videos that you have. I do have a question though; you said to make sure to pack plenty of food to eat on shift since the train can’t really stop somewhere for you to grab food but what do you do when you end up staying the night out of town? Did you pack for two shifts or so when you left the previous day? Thanks.

How many actual signals are they're? And if possible could you share with me what they are?

0:30 The big first enemy you got sometime is yourself or your own mind, the best way to succeed anything in life is to grab a paper and to write your GOALS, ask yourself everyday WHAT IS MY GOAL..? I guarantee you that maybe you can have a bad day and anyway you gonna be happy cause you got a goal to succeed, nothing will bother you as soon you can see how your bank account grows every week and you will reach with that motivation anything in life, repeat to yourself "if I can take it I can make it" everyday and place the imagination that you reach your goal, that is going to keep you positive at any situation in life, THAT'S THE WAY I DO EVERYDAY, greetings to you from Virginia, The United States of America

Hey buddy, I love your videos. My question is, does NS have some sort of uniforms? Or work clothes that they wash for you?

If you had to do it all over again, would u do the job?

I did my video interview with csx a week ago. How long does it usually take to get a job offer if they want to hire you?

Waiting for NS to review my background check and schedule physical. I’m excited to start but I’m nervous about all the signals especially because NS uses different systems. Is this something I should worry about or are they actually pretty easy?

I can't find anything about the physical testing at training. Just something about the hang. I'll rewatch some videos.

steel toe boots are not required?

Can you get fired for stuttering sometimes on the railroad ?

Do a pay video

Do you get paid while in training?

Appreciate the videos. My question is, will they assign you to a division near your home.

@anyhony Farrell is there any way to get in touch with you? I was just hired at NS and had a few questions

What did the hang test consist of?

Are the test hard?

Can you bid to different cities/stations?

Where do you use the bathroom probably a dumb question

Thank you for the information, I am currently down in Georgia for training. I'm struggling with how to read signals. Can you do a video help with understanding how to interpret them regardless of which set of signals you have. Thanks

Analogue watch

Railroading is basic common sense but you'd be surprised the short cuts people will take that will cost them their job or life. Follow the rules and if you're not sure about something ask don't ever assume. The equipment doesn't care it only takes a split second and it could cost you your life.

Have you been furloughed yet?

why would ns crews run amtrak

You forgot the color of the pens...BLACK!

@

Hey im just here trying to find out if they hire felons

What's ground school 🤣

How to work at the railroad......... Don't

You talk about safety but you never have your seatbelt on!

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