How do you become a locomotive engineer in Amtrak?

How do I become an Amtrak Acela Trainset Engineer?

• What would be involved if I wanted to set a career path to be an Amtrak Acela Engineer? I am considering changing careers as the economy has forced my current career aside. I have two ...show more

• Answer:

  I am a CSX freight engineer, and I've had a few of my comrades go to work for Amtrak on Acela trains, so that's another career route: sign on as a freight conductor trainee for CSX or some other railroad, work for between 3 and 5 years at that, then get a promotion to engineer and work at that for a year or so, then start applying to Amtrak. It's a long-term career, so be very sure you don't want what you have now before making a fresh start on the railroad. Working as a new conductor also involves a lower rate of pay than a more senior conductor, so it will be a while before you are earning a full paycheck.