Locomotive Electricians?

Question

What do Locomotive Electricians do on a daily basis and are they paid well? Also why is it so difficult to land a job with a major railroad company i.e. UPRR / BNSF?

Answer 1

electricians repair wiring, do servicing of locomotives, sometimes work in shops repairing motors. They also clean and inspect. The answer on why its so hard to get an Electricians job is first you must be an Electrician that is accepted by the union. Next you must past an extensive backround and drug test. Then you get an interview in which many may apply but only a few get hired at at time. Current pay is about $22.00 an hour with full benefits. (some jobs slightly more, some slightly less)

Answer 2

You fix anything that has to do with the electrical system of the locomotive. Wiring, circuitry, anything. From what I here the pay is on par with most railroads jobs (decent wage).

I can't say why its difficult to land a job with those railroads. It could be they have enough people hired for those positions or they aren't impressed with your resume or something else.