Like all of today's Class I railroads, the current BNSF Railway was formed through a series of mergers and acquisitions that actually began over 30 years ago in 1970. Today the railroad, like the two that came to form today’s system (the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway and Burlington Northern Railroad), is a highly respected and recognized transportation company that consistently ranks at the top of the railroad industry in terms of both quality of service and revenues earned.
Today's BNSF Railway was formed basically from two systems, the Burlington Northern and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. While the Santa Fe throughout the years was essentially the same railroad with no mergers, the Burlington Northern on the other hand has a long and interesting history.
In any event, BNSF Railway careers vary depending on what field you are interested but for the purposes of this site we will stick with, of course, railroading positions, which range from operating the trains themselves to maintaining the track and property.
Class I railroads are in a "league of their own" so to speak in the industry. They are obviously the largest systems nationwide and many people are drawn to work for them over smaller railroads because of the excellent pay and benefits they offer. However, there is a downside. Railroading is tough enough but it is even tougher on Class Is where the hours are extremely long, rest is a luxury and you never know when you will be called out again.
And on that note please let me say that if you are here searching for railroad jobs and have never worked for a railroad or know much about the industry please let me warn you that such a career is not for the faint of heart. Railroading is hard work and takes a dedicated breed not only to handle the physical demands required but also the mental fatigue, as working 12-hour, seven-day-a-week shifts is normal (and overtime is mandatory).
While a more predictable work schedule does come with seniority, don’t expect it to happen within a short period of time. Some railroaders wait 20 years or more to land a “9 to 5” workday, which usually consists of working yard or local jobs. There is a reason why railroaders say that railroading becomes a lifestyle, its not just saying! Still, for many the pay, benefits, retirement and general love of the job make it all worthwhile.
If you think you may be interested in a position with BNSF Railway it operates roughly everywhere west of Chicago including the Pacific Northwest to Seattle, deep south to New Orleans and southern California to Los Angeles. To search for BNSF Railway careers please feel free to use the search box below from Indeed.com, one of the leading online career resource guides.
BNSF Railway careers, as with all Class I railroads, range from locomotive engineer and conductor to track maintainer and dispatcher. If you are not sure exactly what position you may be interested in please click here to head back to the main jobs to explore which one may be right for you. Also, if a career in railroading is right for you but would like to learn more about what it takes to work in the industry you might want to consider the book Working on the Railroad from noted author Brian Solomon. Solomon's book details the history of working in the railroad industry and the difficulties and hardship employees faced back then as well as today. After reading this book you should have no doubts about whether working in the industry is something you are truly interested in. In any event, if you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.
