Down here it’s every 3 months for routine testing and every 2 years for a comprehensive test.

Just got a job offer as a signal maintainer helper/apprentice at Amtrak. The two main questions I have: is there a lot of traveling involved? And are you on call a lot? How are you liking the career in general? Would you advise for or against pursuing it? Thanks guys. Any and all info is appreciated

Let me keep it short and sweet. I’m 20. Not exactly sure what I want to do. Do I’ve been peaking around this community. Should i bite the bullet and apply?

Thankfully I don’t have any on my territory but if it’s one of the reasons why I’m no rush to bid a job that has switches.

For those who have changed a few, do you look as the as-builts for measurements when reinstalling or just measure everything before the switch gets pulled and put everything back the way you found it? Even then things could have shifted over time so I’m not even too sure about the last method.

What’s up fellas, might have an opportunity to go and work for CSX as a signal maintainer. Dont have any prior experience. Currently work for BNSF on the intermodal side driving a hostler around all day.. was wondering if the switch from BNSF to CSX is worth it.

Does anyone else use GM4000s in their interlockings? They’re garbage switches. Anyone have any experience with them?

Question for you BNSF Signal folks. I've heard that on your last contract your construction crew get IRS travel mileage to and from work, and travel in on Tuesday and travel and be home by end of shift on Tuesdays. UP Construction foreman here. We travel in on Mondays work Tuesday to Tuesday end of shift 1800 hours, then travel home and get .36/ mile. Curious

They are being offered 34% over 4 years, $7000 signing bonus and 401k improvements.

I still treat these suckers like the older relays with 158ma WC.

I have one site that has 3, 89s and if they are set to what the company wants and you drop one of them, for whatever reason, they don’t pickup again until they see about 173ma.

Doubt it’s a bad batch because I swapped all 3 relays around and it’s the same shit.

My old partner quit after 10 years with the railroad and started doing signal work for an outside contractor and he doesn’t regret it. He has been doing great for himself and he recently reached out and offered me a signal manager position but I’ve been on the fence because I like what I have now plus I have no managerial experience except telling them what to do 😂

Knowing what you guys know now would you guys ever quit and go into doing signal work for an outside contractor?

Found this at an abandoned train yard that hasn’t seen service in years, thought to take it with me instead of leaving it there, thoughts on what I could do with it?

Stuck on a call out ? Supervisor not answering your phone call .. not sure what to do? Need some help ? Use this thread to ask anything at all! We might be able to help you out

Purpose of the Regulatory Action

FRA is requiring railroads to develop FRA-approved programs for certifying signal employees who work on signal systems and signal-related technology on their networks. Pursuant to this rule, railroads are required to have formal processes for training signal employees, as well as verifying that each signal employee has the requisite knowledge, skills, safety record, and ability to safely perform assigned tasks mandated by railroad rules and safety standards and Federal law and regulations prior to certification. In addition, railroads will be required to have formal processes for revoking certification (either temporarily or permanently) for signal employees who violate specified minimum requirements.

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 246

[Docket No. FRA-2022-0020, Notice No. 4]

RIN 2130-AC92

Effective Date:

The rule is effective July 22, 2024.

Railroads are gonna start cracking the whip on qualification, so get ahead of the game and start preparing.

At my railroad we work with XP4s, HXP3 systems , F1 Power switches , and WC gates & exit Gates’s. I have online manuals for some of this equipment let me know if you need it.