My dad worked for Santa Fe rail Road. and I am so glad I did not follow in his footsteps. He was always gone and when he was home he was sleeping. But I did have a very comfortable lifestyle because of his sacrifices. Thank you dad for everything you did. Rip.

lol “ sometimes miss family events”. This is a single mans career. I worked the railroad for 2 months and my wife had a nervous breakdown pretty much. It’s a great job for a lone wolf or a drifter type

Im a train driver in the UK. We work 4 day weeks, 34 hours per week, 8 weeks holiday, 10 days off every 2 months (which is rostered and not holiday). Great pay, superb pension and are in the strongest union in the country. I love my job, and im extremely grateful for it. The shifts can vary, but you can easily work your life around them. I recommend it anyday.

As an engineer. No ones this happy to go to work.

I could tell by his vest and how he wears his radio he's not a real conductor, and nobody talks to the call office like that at 4 am

Thank you to all the conductors and engineers and rail gang members. My dad was conrail rail gang, came to CSX in 96 and became a conductor, then he went to engineer school and he was away alot when I was a kid, i missed him alot but I was very proud of him and still am. Hence why im up at 3 in the morning watching this. He unfortunately passed away in 2009 but I want to thank all of you guys on the rail road, I meet you all and I feel like I'm meeting my dad's friends and second family. He use to tell me he worked the rail road so I didn't have to. I know he wasn't treated very nice by higher management but he had the biggest heart and never once complained and i am thankful i had a dad like him. Anyways Much love from Kentucky! To the ones doing this job and think your sons or daughters are angry at you because you're gone alot, just know we know you're putting food on the table, clothes on our backs, and keeping a roof over our heads and we know if you could be home, you would. My dad when he passed left me a letter apologizing for always being gone on the rail road and I just wanted him to know I never once was upset with him. I can't tell him what I wanted to but I can pass this on to you all now.

reading the comments for actual railroad employees... think ill stick with hanging TVs and installing sound systems for a living for past 35 yrs and buy more N scale trains for my model railroad layout..

When he said “go ahead and shove back 50 car lengths”, I knew that this guy is paid actor. If you were to say that to an engineer, he would give you hell.

I worked as a conductor and engineer for CSXT from 98 until 04. I'm glad I'm out of it. Wasn't bad, just tiring. I was treated okay, worked with good people and even the management were straight with me. It's a way of life, not everyone is made for this job.