medical restrictions?

I am trying to find out some info on jobs that I may be able to do on the railroads over here, but my problem is I am medically restricted (according to UK medical tests) as I am Partially Colorblind (it is on red and green, however I can still see the colors).

While in the UK I was able to work as a ticket collector, the drivers had all responsibility for the train/safety, I also did train planning (not sure what you call it here), writing the timetables and doing the drivers work sheets/diagrams.

So my query is in PA, what jobs that you know of that I would be eligible to do? on any of the railroad companies.

Thank you for any help in advance

I can see red and green, up close as well as at a distance, however where you might see 20 shades of red, I would only see 17 or 18, the same with green, in the uk this meant I wasn't permitted to do anything safety critical, so anything to do with driving, working on track, signalling or dispatch of trains I couldn't do, I just wasn't sure if the medical restrictions are as strict/ the same as the UK, once I have an idea I can look for jobs that would be suitable to me.

I also considered contacting some of the companies and asking, but I don't know if that would go against me, or if they would even release that information

I imagine you would be ok, maybe not engineer, but as conductor i dont see why you couldnt. as far as visibility, they are pretty leanient i believe.

I dont know about colorblindness but that sounds rather mild and i imagine you would be ok. Dont know for sure though. You could alwayse apply, worst thing could happen, you wouldnt get in.

Conductor or Mangment I don't see why not you wouldn't be able to work it.

For working for BNSF I think that his main problem is going to be passing the color eye test. Some of the shades are pretty close and hard to see.

My question would be: Do you have trouble seeing traffic signals at a distance? If no, then you should not have any trouble working for Class I's in the states.

I can see normal traffic lights with no problems, however in the UK when I went for the eye color tests it was the book witht he dots in it, and the numbers are in the dots, but I was unable to see any of the numbers. Do they have the same test here? I don't remember the name of the type of test/book

Yeah they use the same book for BNSF at least. I don't know if there are any waivers available or not. That would have to be worked out with the carrier and his medical officer.

I took the same test for CSX, and was told they were "pretty strict" about it. As to what that means, I didn't ask because I passed the test.

Tiggerhappy1977 wrote:I can see normal traffic lights with no problems, however in the UK when I went for the eye color tests it was the book witht he dots in it, and the numbers are in the dots, but I was unable to see any of the numbers. Do they have the same test here? I don't remember the name of the type of test/book

The test you speak of has been in use since, and possibly long before 1966. It seems to be the "standard" exam for color-blindness. IIRC, this is known as the Ishihara test.

At UP you had to get a 100 percent on this test, no exceptions.

You'll have to check with the individual railroad company you are applying to- but if you're going to be in transportation service, your health/eyes have to be 100%. That includes engineers and conductors (conductors have to be able to read signals, too- passenger or freight service).

If you are in a non-transportation function- like the planning dept., the requirements are different.