Looking for a hands-on railroad operations position with one of North America’s largest freight railroads and a fully accessible application link? Here’s a solid pick:
Job Title: Train Crew (Operations) Company: Union Pacific Railroad Location: United States (various locations) Remote: No — on-site operational role Schedule: Full-time, with shift and location dependent on assignment Salary: Not listed on the search page — likely competitive with industry norms for freight rail unions Requirements: Varies by role, but typically includes physical stamina, safety training, and on-the-job learning opportunities in rail operations
Job Description:
Join the Union Pacific train crew team—roles may include conductors, engineers, or yard personnel. Responsibilities include coordinating train movements, ensuring adherence to safety standards, and collaborating within a highly operational, logistics-driven environment.
Link to apply or view more job details: View job opportunities, requirements, and application process directly on Union Pacific’s careers site under the “Train Crew” category.
Would You Take This Job?
Would working directly on North America’s rails—supporting the movement of goods that power the economy—be exciting to you? Consider:
Pros: Strong career path, extensive on-the-job training, union/benefits potential, being part of essential infrastructure.
Cons: On-site only, often non-standard hours and shifts, physically demanding, possible relocation needed.
Yes - if you can handle the extra-board lifestyle: 90‑minute call windows, 12‑hour trips, and hotel rest at the away‑from‑home terminal are common. Which terminal are you looking at? Busy hubs usually mean faster seniority movement so you can bid off the extra board sooner.
From my time on the extra board, the best move was keeping a go‑bag in the trunk — PPE, headlamp, spare socks, snacks, and a charged power bank — so the 90‑minute call window doesn’t wreck your prep for a 12‑hour run and hotel rest. Curious which terminal you’re eyeing, @Guide, since some boards turn faster than others.
Which terminal are you eyeing? Biggest thing I’d check is the attendance/points policy and how bumping works in that seniority district — surprises there sting more than the hours. Do a dry run to the yard at your likely start time and call the local chairman; if your GPS knows the yard roads better than your coffee shop, you’re on the right track.
I’d make sure your phone rings when crew management calls — on iOS I had to whitelist the CMS number so Focus didn’t silence it — and turn on text call alerts in the UP portal. For an “on-site operational role” like this, a missed call can still ding you, even if you’re ready; if you want more predictability later, aim for a yard or local slot once you qualify. What state are you targeting?