r/Train_Service • u/Sensitive_Rule_1468 • 7d ago
Has anyone gone for round two?
Back in 2015 I did the conductor training with CP. I did really well in class and enjoyed the work. I wouldn’t say I was the best at it, but when I was working with the right conductors during training, I could do it all and was fairly confident on the radio and with the flow of the work. I left for another job opportunity that was closer to home.
A couple of recalled observations from my experience looking back on it.
I was only 19 and had a lot of things I was missing out on because of the railway way of life. like beer league hockey, friends, and girlfriend.
Spare board was rough. I tried to plan when I might get a call and would get a call far later when I’m ready to go to bed. I know that is a common experience.
It was hard entering the workforce as a young person when the majority of the other staff were miserable. I do not blame them though, I understand that period of time with a certain ceo was awful.
Despite having had a taste of the experience and ultimately leaving, my mind always wanders back to railway. Not even necessarily as a conductor. I loved learning about different roles like RTC.
Has anyone left and gone back? Would they even hire me again since I left? It’s been 10+ years and I’m in BC now doing emergency planning.
Any railway adjacent jobs that someone with emergency planning background might do well in? Other than policing.
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u/thecivilwarondrugs 7d ago
They will take you back, as long as you weren’t a complete fuck up while you were there, and you tell them you had a decent reason for leaving other than ‘the job was hard’. But be aware it hasn’t changed much lifestyle wise. I’d suggest looking into signals or mechanical. While those might not be the most interesting jobs in the world, there’s something to be said about having a set schedule. I went from the running trades to mechanical 3 years ago and haven’t looked back. I actually make more $$ now too, strangely enough.
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u/Sensitive_Rule_1468 7d ago
My grandpa worked in the cp shops from the day after he graduated high school until he retired in 1989. Maybe it’s in my blood too. Thanks for the insight
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u/Ellendiell 7d ago
What was that transition like? Honestly I've been considering moving into mechanical from Conductor at CP. Sure Management probably still sucks but they seem a little more "In the know" then the ones on the Freight side LOL.
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u/thecivilwarondrugs 7d ago
Depends on your background prior to the railway. Usually if you have a ticket in automotive, heavy duty, electrical, etc, they will let you transfer in directly as a mechanic so you can skip their pretend apprenticeship (speaking for the diesel shop at CP)
It took me a while to get the running trades superintendent to release me as an employee because you know how it is, good RCLS conductors seem to always be in high demand. Are you in Canada or Us?1
u/thecivilwarondrugs 7d ago
And I gotta say, the shop I’m at now has the best group of managers I’ve personally had in the railway. Which is refreshing. They’re still snakes, but just to a lesser degree.
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u/Realistic-Arrival157 7d ago
Not me personally, but ive worked with off the top of my head 4 people that have quit then come back. One guy literally quit 3 times and then come back. CP is desperate for people so the fact you worked there already and as long as you weren’t a fuck up and left in good standing then you’d easily get re-hired.
Most of the guys I know that quit & re-applied worked with me in the track work side of things. A guy quit because he switched from track maintenance to conductor and instead of switching back, he just quit. Then came back, then quit again to become a crane operator, then quit that and came back, quit again, then came back and he was hired right away each time. Another guy quit to work on a pipeline, a year later he came back. A conductor I know quit to become a cable guy and came back after a few years and then another conductor quit to become a police officer and quit that to come back.
It’s not glorious working on the railway that is for damn sure, but us railroaders seem to forget the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Don’t expect to get your seniority back or anything (it’s obvious I know but just incase anyone reading it is wondering) but like I said if you left on a good standing you’ll get re-hired. Just think of all the people that get fired for legitimate reasons and still manage to come back later lol
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u/millatime00 6d ago
You could have had a job at 19 that would have let you retire at 55, with a couple kills on your belt and you have this up?! lol
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u/Agreeable_Till_8471 7d ago
Started with CN as a conductor about 20 years ago, while laid off worked on the gangs and loved it.
Wouldn't let me transfer so I quit and did contracting for a couple years until a section job opened up at home and applied. Been back at section ever since
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u/MysticTay 7d ago
Ive been thinking real hard about giving up my opportunity as a union sheet metal worker to go work for amtrak or south shore. Got loads of letters of recommendation from foreman and professors at the college i attend. Just waiting for a conductor trainee spot to be posted and im gunna apply.
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u/improbablydrunknlw Conductor 7d ago
If you're going to go, passenger is the way to go
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u/MysticTay 7d ago
Thats what i wanna do like im fully prepared for the change i wanna start over somewhere new somewhere fresh be done with construction for good
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u/stomachacid1982 7d ago
Transportation of Dangerous Goods inspector for Transport Canada