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Illinois Railroad Jobs

As with almost every other state the largest employers for Illinois railroad jobs and positions are the large Class I systems. However, the state also has its share of smaller railroads as well although it is usually much harder to find a position within these companies due to their small size.

If you have never worked for a railroad or know much about the industry please let me warn you that a career in the field is not for the faint of heart. Railroading is tough 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! Having said that, if you are able to hire on with a shortline (Class III) or regional (Class II) railroad the opportunity for a more predictable schedule is very likely although the pay is not quite as good. Having said that below is a list of many railroads operating in Illinois:

Class Is

Amtrak (Our nation's intercity passenger rail carrier serves Alabama.)

BNSF Railway

Canadian National Railway

Canadian Pacific Railway

CSX Transportation

Kansas City Southern Railway

Norfolk Southern Railway

Union Pacific

Shortlines and Regionals

Alton and Southern Railway

Belt Railway of Chicago

Bloomer Shippers Connecting Railroad

Burlington Junction Railway

Central Illinois Railroad

Chicago-Chemung Railroad

Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad

Chicago Port Railroad

Chicago Rail Link

Chicago SouthShore and South Bend Railroad

Chicago Terminal Railroad

Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad

Coffeen and Western Railroad

Decatur Junction Railway

Eastern Illinois Railroad

Effingham Railroad

Evansville Western Railway

Illinois Railway

Illinois and Midland Railroad

Illinois Western Railroad

Indiana Rail Road

Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad

Iowa Interstate Railroad

Joppa and Eastern Railroad

Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad

Keokuk Junction Railway

Manufacturers Railway

Manufacturers' Junction Railway

Pioneer Industrial Railway

Riverport Railroad

Shawnee Terminal Railway

South Chicago and Indiana Harbor Railway

Tazewell and Peoria Railroad

Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis

Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway

Vandalia Railroad

Vermilion Valley Railroad

Wisconsin and Southern Railroad

Commuter and Light Rail Transit

Chicago Transit Authority

Metra

South Shore Line

For more information about shortline railroads that serve Illinois please click here to visit the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's website. Also, please visit the shortline railroad guide here at the site to learn more about some of the above shortline companies.

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

Illinois railroad jobs, as anywhere else, 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 you would like to learn more about the industry feel free to browse the large selection of books at The Railroad Diamond (to visit the store click the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store"), and if you need or would like help in making a selection please feel free to contact me.

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