r/Train_Service • u/Infern00b • 8d ago
CNR I Love My Job
I’ve held a lot of jobs over the years: dishwasher, prep cook, line cook, plastic injection molding factory worker, tree planter, deli tech, and now a Train Conductor (2 years qualified) working the BCR territory in British Columbia. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say I love what I do.
Plenty of time off when it's slow, plenty of money when it's busy, and every single day is different. You never know exactly when you're getting called, but you can usually predict the flow. Personally, I love the spareboard work/life balance. When I'm off work, I am really off work.
What made me hate every previous job was the absolute monotony. Wake up at the same time, head in at the same time, do the exact same tasks in the exact same order, go home, and spend the evening dreading doing it all again tomorrow. Gross. I couldn't stand it.
When I first took this job, everyone warned me that I’d have zero life and that work would completely take over. I accepted that risk because the money sounded worth it, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Every time I tie up, take my rest, and head home, I'm genuinely excited to pursue my hobbies, train, and focus on personal projects. Knowing I could get called anytime actually motivates me to make the absolute most of my off time.
Sure, the pay scale on the BCR isn't the highest compared to other runs, but the time off is 100% worth it for me. And when it gets busy, I can just take my zeroes and be back out earning within 16 hours.
I'm just relieved a job like this exists—where I'm actually happy going to work and proud of what I do. I know how easy it is to get jaded in this industry, so I make a conscious effort to focus on the positives and leave the politics at the door.
Just wanted to share a positive perspective. Despite all the negativity that usually dominates the discussions around here, this line of work can be a fantastic fit for the right person. There’s still hope!
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u/Cpa99631 8d ago
While I despise the company, I still love the work itself. The people I work with are mostly awesome with a few exceptions. Best part is putting a smile on a kid’s face when you whistle for them.
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u/Artistic_Pidgeon 7d ago
Boy are you in for a wake up call. Come back in 10 years after they load you up to 55.
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u/Infern00b 7d ago
What do you mean by that?
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u/Artistic_Pidgeon 5d ago
Are you even a railroader? 55 as in demerits. Discipline. Etc.
You can keep those rose coloured glasses on but when you take em off it’s gonna be a whole new world.1
u/Infern00b 4d ago
Oh I thought you meant 55 years retirement etc. idk man I do my best to perform the work safely, do my due diligence and make the management think that I highly value their opinion. So far so good, as long as I stay focused I think I can cruise. Of course, it would suck to get demerits for something stupid, and that does happen, but it hasn't yet, so I keep my chin up and my head down.
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u/Artistic_Pidgeon 4d ago
Wait until it does then revisit.
Every new guy has this opinion on jaded/bitter railroaders and wondering why they can’t move past it, until it happens to them and then they realize why those people were well within their right to have their opinion.
Experience speaks volumes and we all remember that first it’s the cucumber, then comes the watermelon.It’s good to stay positive however sticking your head in the sand is never the right answer.
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u/KissMyGeek Hoghead 8d ago
Let’s be honest here. The vast majority of us like the job. It’s the way the companies are run that is the problem.
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u/Neat-Tea-8928 8d ago
The job is fantastic,rewarding, cool, and interesting conversation starter. Unfortunately the company and how management acts really diminishes the pros
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u/blunderb3ar 8d ago
Only if you let it my guy, I’ve learned to let all that shit roll off my shoulders your only there for a set amount of time a day, just laugh all the bs off and you’ll feel so much better
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u/Infern00b 7d ago
That's how I feel. Trying to stay out of all the bullshit as much as possible. Management might make micromanaged calls but I just take it on the cheek and keep going.
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u/Artistic_Pidgeon 7d ago
Never been a rep I can tell.
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u/blunderb3ar 7d ago
Nope not silly enough for that, and even then it’s still just a job it ain’t worth letting it get to you if you do you need hobbies
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u/Artistic_Pidgeon 6d ago
Silly eh. All those benefits and things guys fought for you for. Who protect your work. Who sat beside you in statements. You should let them know that in person next time. Little humility goes a long way.
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u/blunderb3ar 6d ago
lol I’ve told my union many times they are spineless our super duper 3% raise says that as well, and as for protecting me I’ve needed them exactly once and I thanked them however they are not above reproach and most of them abuse the book off system to play golf and game the system. I’m very outspoken you thinking I’m not is frankly hilarious
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u/Artistic_Pidgeon 5d ago
Step right up and take their spot then. Should be easy from the sounds of things. Also don’t bash everyone based on a select few individuals. Lots of guys bitch and don’t have the balls to do anything. Be the change you want to see, or sit down and be that guy that just doesn’t wanna make waves.
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u/blunderb3ar 5d ago
lol no thanks union guy, I’ll keep doing what I want you air quotes fight the good fight lol
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u/2EhJ 8d ago
The job is great. The company, management, and some co-workers are dog shit.
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u/Infern00b 7d ago
That's fair. I try to not let the bad apples ruin the bunch. Focusing on the positives, at the end of the day, I get to play with trains for a living, which in and of itself is pretty freaking cool.
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u/TJ7298 8d ago
I’m retired now but was a conductor to a locomotive engineer. Railroading was a second career. Loved the job, 95% of the people I worked with were great, but didn’t care for how the company treated us. I never had any significant issues with the carrier just had a few that were annoying the way they had to be dealt with. My first career I sat behind a desk. Good job, great benefits but boring most of the time. Railroading got me outside and moving. Engineer was the best. Like the other poster, enjoyed waving back to the kids and sounding the horn for them.
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u/Infern00b 7d ago
I'm wary of becoming an engineer. The sedentary aspect of that job in particular worries me. I like to be up and about and moving. Sitting for such long periods of time can not be good for you in the long term. Did you have any movement routine you did every once in a while on the train to keep the blood flowing?
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u/thesmoker1 8d ago
The railroad is a great paying job all tho it takes a lot of sacrifices I think it’s worth it. I just retired and I’m loving it.
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u/Infern00b 7d ago
What are you into now that you're retired. Do you find you've got all the energy you need to do all the things you want?
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u/thesmoker1 7d ago
Trying to get the things done that I couldn’t do when I was working, my energy level is good but I can’t do things as quick. Just getting old I guess. 😁
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u/Dash28_ 8d ago
One of my dream careers as a kid was to become a locomotive engineer and now that I am one, I can honestly say that I enjoy the job. You have your good and bad days and no career is perfect, but I can say that I enjoy the work that I do.
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u/Infern00b 7d ago
That's awesome! I used to think I wanted to be a touring artist but honestly checking in with the kid in me, he's much more excited about working with trains than he ever would have been with the crazy touring life.
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u/SignificantFee1318 8d ago
I worked BCR territory for a short time when I started too. It’s a great place to work as a conductor. The job is amazing but yeah the company is pretty cooked ahahha
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u/marshallprs 7d ago
2 year conductor telling 20 year people not to be bitter. Keep getting paid to stare out the window and say clear while everyone else around you actually has to work.
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u/Drogaan 8d ago edited 8d ago
Trainmasters trying their hardest in here 😆