Train Crew

Train Crew employees are responsible for providing the safe and timely movement of customers’ freight. After training you will be assigned to work either road service or yard service based on your seniority within the hub (territory) you were hired. Road service is safe and efficient transport of customer’s freight from one terminal to the next. Yard service is the sorting of rail cars within the terminal to be placed on outbound trains. Previous railroad experience is not required; we provide all the necessary training.

Train Crew

What Should You Know?

Training is 14 weeks and includes classroom and on-the-job-training. Successful completion of all exams during the training period is a requirement for continued employment.
Instead of working a standard 40-hour week, there are variable work hours and irregularly scheduled days off. Train Crew employees are on call, even on nights, weekends, and holidays, and are required to report to work within 90 minutes of notification.
You will likely not be eligible for scheduled time off during your first year of employment.
You may travel with our trains, sometimes spending a day or more away from your home terminal.
The railroad never stops – you’ll work outdoors in all weather conditions, including snow, ice, rain, cold and heat. For your safety, and the safety of those around you, Personal Protective Equipment– such as safety glasses, safety boots, hard hats, and hearing protection must be worn in required areas.
Union Pacific does not tolerate the use of drugs and alcohol. You will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing, mandatory testing for reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing when applicable.
If hired, know that changing hub (territory) locations and/or crafts (moving from train crew to mechanical or engineering) are approved based on business demands and may not be granted. Plan to commit to your craft and work location for a minimum of 2 years.
Temporary furloughs are possible depending on fluctuations in business volumes. Furloughs and subsequent recalls to work are based on seniority dates.
For more information refer to our Train Crew FAQ page.

What Should You Know?

Training is 14 weeks and includes classroom and on-the-job-training. Successful completion of all exams during the training period is a requirement for continued employment.
Instead of working a standard 40-hour week, there are variable work hours and irregularly scheduled days off. Train Crew employees are on call, even on nights, weekends, and holidays, and are required to report to work within 90 minutes of notification.
You will likely not be eligible for scheduled time off during your first year of employment.
You may travel with our trains, sometimes spending a day or more away from your home terminal.
The railroad never stops – you’ll work outdoors in all weather conditions, including snow, ice, rain, cold and heat. For your safety, and the safety of those around you, Personal Protective Equipment– such as safety glasses, safety boots, hard hats, and hearing protection must be worn in required areas.
Union Pacific does not tolerate the use of drugs and alcohol. You will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing, mandatory testing for reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing when applicable.
If hired, know that changing hub (territory) locations and/or crafts (moving from train crew to mechanical or engineering) are approved based on business demands and may not be granted. Plan to commit to your craft and work location for a minimum of 2 years.
Temporary furloughs are possible depending on fluctuations in business volumes. Furloughs and subsequent recalls to work are based on seniority dates.
For more information refer to our Train Crew FAQ page.