In addition, the job can be tiring. Engineers are at the throttle of a train for up to 12 hours at a time. Some long-distance routes require engineers to spend many days away from home. To be an engineer, you must have a high-school diploma and have excellent hearing and eyesight. A prospective engineer usually starts out as a brakeman or conductor and learns the skills on the job.
Most railroad companies offer some classroom training as well.
Engineers have to be certified under standards set by the Federal Railroad Administration. Individual rail companies are responsible for ensuring their engineers meet the requirements. Despite competition from airlines and trucks, the outlook for rail employees is good, Bentley said. Some items, like coal or cars, can't be transported any other way. But the total number of new jobs to be added isn't large, the Handbook said.