CSX Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. are adding engineers to keep freight moving as they take over Conrail Inc.'s operations. They want to avoid the massive freight tie-ups that followed Union Pacific Corp.'s takeover of Southern Pacific Rail Corp. in 1996. Union Pacific itself has added more than 1,600 engineers in the past two years to overcome its worst shortages. Finding people for the job is no easy task, though. The job market is tight.
Engineers often face weekend and night work, chronic fatigue and disruptions to family life.
They are subject to rigorous disciplinary proceedings and suspension if they violate safety rules. In addition, demand for on-time delivery has increased, and hitting cars and pedestrians on the tracks is a constant risk.