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California Railroad Jobs

If you are interested in California railroad jobs there are probably few other states with so many available companies to choose from. Not only do Class Is BNSF Railway and Union Pacific operate nearly 5,500 rail miles throughout California but the state is also home to several smaller railroads including regionals (Class IIs), shortlines (Class IIIs), and terminal companies. And, of course, Amtrak operates throughout the state fielding not only long distance passenger trains like the Sunset Limited and Coast Starlight but also regional trains such as the Capitol Corridor and Pacific Surfliner (heck, their website has a section dedicated just to its California operations). Along with Amtrak there are also several other commuter and light rail transit operations in the state. For more information regarding the railroads which operate in California please click here.

One important point which needs to be addressed, and one which I have covered many times before. If you are unfamiliar with the railroad industry but are particularly interested in working for a Class I in either the fields of maintenance or transportation please understand that the work can be quite difficult and dangerous with long hours on the job required. For instance, it is not uncommon for conductors and engineers to work regular 12 hour shifts for days and be away from home on a regular basis. If you have a family or plan to and wish to spend a lot of time with them, railroading may not be the career for you.

There are plenty of positive aspects to being a railroader, however, including great pay and retirement. In the end, it simply comes to down to priorities if you think the job is for you. Of note, if you are in college or plan to attend many Class I railroads offer scholarships and summertime internship/graduate programs. You will need to visit their career pages for more information.

Also, for more information regarding California railroad jobs, please visit the links below or the railroad's individual contact information concerning possible openings. Please note that by contacting me concerning job information is of little use because there simply is not a lot of help I can provide. If you have questions or concerns regarding a particular position you will need to contact the railroad in question.

Lastly, to search for California railroad jobs directly please use the below search box from Indeed.com.

Class Is

Amtrak

BNSF Railway

Union Pacific

Regional Railroads

Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad: The CO&P is a RailAmerica shortline serving western Oregon and the northern area of California. To visit their web page for contact information please click here.

San Joaquin Valley Railroad: The San Joaquin Valley Railroad is another RailAmerica operation serving two broken stretches of railroad in central California. To visit their web page please click here.

Shortlines Railroads

Arizona & California Railroad: The Arizona & California is yet another RailAmerica property serving both states. To visit their web page please click here.

California Northern Railroad: Another RailAmerica shortline the California Northern serves the area north of San Francisco on two broken stretches of railroad. To visit their web page please click here.

Carrizo Gorge Railway: This independent shortline serves the area of San Diego operating about 80 miles of track. To visit their website please click here.

Central California Traction Company: This switching railroad has been in operation since 1905 serving the Port of Stockton. To visit their website please click here.

Los Angeles Junction Railway: Owned by BNSF Railway.

Modesto and Empire Traction Company: A switching/terminal railroad serving Modesto since 1909. To visit their website please click here.

Napa Valley Railroad: A very popular excursion train which may one day operate freight trains again. I am not sure if they offer many employment opportunities. To visit their website please click here

Oakdale Traction Corporation: This railroad operates a short, one-mile segment of track in Oakland. I was unable to locate contact information for the company.

Oakland Terminal Railway: Owned by Union Pacific and BNSF Railway.

Pacific Harbor Line, Inc.: The Pacific Harbor Line is a Anacostia & Pacific property serving the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles since 1997. For contact information please click here.

Pacific Sun Railroad: The Pacific Sun is a Watco shortline. For contact information please visit Watco's website by clicking here.

Quincy Railroad: This 3-mile shortline is owned by Sierra Pacific Industries. To visit their website concerning possible employment opportunities please click here.

Richmond Pacific Railroad: A terminal railroad owned by the Levin Richmond Terminal Corporation. To visit their website please click here.

Sacramento Valley Railroad: A Patriot Rail Corporation property. For contact information please click here.

San Diego & Imperial Valley Railroad: Another RailAmerica property serving extreme southern California. To visit their web page please click here.

Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway: Also a popular California excursion train operation. To visit their website for employment opportunities please click here.

Santa Maria Valley Railroad: An independent shortline which has been in operation since 1911. To visit their website please click here.

Sierra Northern Railway: The Sierra Northern is an independent shortline operating in northern California. To visit their website please click here.

Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad: This terminal railroad has been in operation since 1908 serving the Port of Stockton. To visit their website please click here.

Trona Railway: This railroad is owned by Searles Valley Minerals. To contact the railroad: 13068 Main StreetTrona, CA 93562. Phone 760-372-2312.

Tulare Valley Railroad: The Tulare Valley is a 6-mile shortline owned by V&S Railway, LLC of Salt Lake City. For contact information please click here.

Ventura County Railroad: The Ventura County Railroad is another RailAmerica property serving the Port of Hueneme near Oxnard. To visit their web page please click here.

West Isle Line, Inc.: This railroad is owned by Western Farm Service by operates under contract, thus, they have no employees of their own.

Yreka Western Railroad: The Yreka Western used to operate excursion trains but now only serves its freight customers in northern California. To visit their website please click here.

Commuter and Light Rail Transit

Normally, commuter train operations contract out much of their transportation and maintenance operations. However, I have provided their web pages here to them regarding possible employment opportunities.

Altamont Commuter Express

Bay Area Rapid Transit

Caltrain

Los Angeles County Metro Rail

Metrolink

Sacramento Regional Transit District

San Diego Coaster

San Francisco MUNI

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

For more information about shortline railroads that serve California please click here to visit the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's website.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Railroad Jobs Section

Finally, if a career in railroading is right for you but you 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.

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Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Please note that while I strive to present the information as accurately as possible I am aware that there may be errors. If you have potential corrections the help is greatly appreciated.