How do you become a locomotive engineer in Amtrak?

Will Amtrak hire a locomotive engineer off the street?

• I've heard they do, but I've also heard it's from within. I applied to a passenger engineer trainee position recently. The job can't be that hard. I think anyone can ...show more

• Answer:

  No one hires out in engine service anywhere, and it is also a promoted position "out of the ranks," so to say. There is just too much on the line for rookies with no railroad experience of any kind at the throttle. For Amtrak, or any other common carrier I know of, one must hire out in any position they can to have a shot at the right hand side. But, the road runs through train service as well, so that is the door that opens. So, hire out, become a conductor then transfer into engine service. The truth is, it is a pretty exclusive club. I do not know what percentage of a 350,000,000 general population that 35,000 is (simple math but I'm lazy today) but that is roughly the number of engineers in the US. I know it starts a decimal point and a whoooole lot of zeroes before you get to a "1". "...can't be that hard"? Best not take that attitude to an interview and better still to lose it before climbing on top of the seat box. There is no common frame of reference between train handling and other pursuits, so anyone having never been there has no idea what they are talking about. (Describe the color "green" to a person who is color blind. ) It'll get you and others deader than a door nail... Otherwise, toss you a rule book and say, "let's go?" It doesn't work that way for a reason.