Go to the railroads website, look for a careers tab or button, and read what they have to say. Learn about the company you want to work for. Follow their instructions, and use common sense.

To browse what could be available in your area follow instructions on what to do. With most railroads you start as a conductor. Search Conductor jobs, and your location at the same time.

You could also leave the location open, and every location available for that job will show up. If you know a railroad hires Engineers off the street, then by all means search Engineer.

Click on the job you wish to apply for. Read up on what the job has to offer. Benefits? Union? Medical? Lifestyle? Hours? Whatever your heart may desire.

The willingness to work on the railroad has to come with a sacrifice. You will work 24/7/365 on-call for most road jobs, and you will most likely not be able to have seniority to work a daylight job.

You WILL be away from home for multiple nights a week, and you will work all hours of the day/night. You will get a 1-2 hour notice to be at work, and you may not refuse the call.

After reading through everything, you may find conditions to become an engineer. Every railroad may do this differently. One year as a conductor may land you a job as an Engineer.

After applying and completing conductor school, you may work as a brakeman, or a Certified Conductor. Your job will be to handle cars, repair cars line of road, handle paperwork, and hazmat qualified.

As an NS Engineer trainee, you need to pass basically five different categories with respective passing grade. Signals (100%), Mechanical (80%), Rules (80%), and Simulator (80%)...

Sometimes the job can be tough or unfair, but at the end of the day, you could the the engineer to haul a train over 300 miles or a train that is nearly 18,000 tons through some of the best scenery.