A point of consideration regarding railroad jobs for minors...
The entire rail industry is classified as heavy industry (not including things like clerical and management). Because of this, it is illegal to hire minors for rail service under teh Child Labor Laws.
I hired on with the Choo Choo Shop, the sales subsidiary of the Arcade & Attica Railroad when I was 16. It took two years of volunteering on the track gans and other work to be able to get a position as a paid employee once I turned 18. Even then, I didn't carry the seniority to work the passenger train crew, or even the freight train crew until towards trhe end of my tenure with the A&A.
My 5yrs on the A&A and 1 1/2 yr volunteering on the M&H got me in the position to be able to hire on with Norfolk Southern out of Harrisburg Terminal in 2004. I just celebrated my 26th birthday this past july, and on August 2nd, I was promoted as a licensed Locomotive Engineer on NS's Pittsburgh Division with Altoona as my home terminal.
Its a lot of work, the lifestyle sucks cause until you have atleast five to ten years seniority, you can expect to work the extra board. I got lucky, I hired on just right that I can hold a few decent jobs, but not many. However, even working the Jersey pool out of harrisburg, I was frequently being ordered back out of the terminal on my rest. Made for a first year check of 52k, but I think I spent more time in away from home hotels then I did in my apartment in Enola.
If you are interested, try out, you lose nothing by trying and have everything to gain. But I caution you, if your used to coming & going when you want, this might not be th ejob for you. It has great rewards... but its not for the timid.
_________________
__ J. D. Gallaway __
http://me.fccorp.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;