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New Mexico Railroad Jobs

If you are interested in New Mexico railroad jobs you have few options outside of the large Class I companies (BNSF Railway and Union Pacific) as the state is primarily home to their through main lines which connect Chicago with Los Angeles. Today, BNSF and UP make up nearly 81% of the states total trackage with just a few shortlines (Santa Fe Southern Railway, Southwestern Railroad, Texas-New Mexico Railroad, and Arizona Eastern Railway) making up the rest. Additionally, Amtrak operates through New Mexico and the recently started New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter train serves the Albuquerque region. To get a better idea of the railroads that operate in the state and the freight they typically haul on a year-to-year basis please click here.

If you are seriously interested in pursuing a railroad career, especially in either the transportation or maintenance fields (which include such positions as conductor, engineer, or general track maintainer), the work can be brutally difficult. Today, the physical demands are not quite the same as they were before heavy mechanization decreased the need for so much human labor (although it hasn't completely disappeared). However, perhaps the hardest aspect of the job is the sheer number of hours you must be on call, which usually means incessant 12-hour days without a break. While smaller railroads usually offer a more predictable work schedule they cannot match the level of pay, benefits, and retirement of Class Is. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you think a career as a railroader is right for you.

Lastly, for more information regarding New Mexico railroad jobs, please visit the links below or the railroad's individual contact information concerning possible openings. On a related note, if you are a college student you may want to see what internship programs BNSF, Union Pacific, or really any of the Class I railroads have to offer. Most offer some type of summertime management/business program for college students to help them get an early start in the field. Finally, I cannot guarantee that the contact information listed here is entirely, 100% accurate. However, as far as I am aware it is up-to-date.

Also, to search for New Mexico railroad jobs directly please use the below search box from Indeed.com.

Class I Railroads

Amtrak

BNSF Railway

Union Pacific

Shortline, Class III Railroads

Santa Fe Southern Railway: This shortline began operations in 1992 and today owns an 18-mile stretch of trackage between Lamy and Santa Fe, originally built by the Santa Fe (AT&SF). Along with freight operations the railroad also offer excursion trains for the general public. To contact the railroad about possible job openings please click here to visit their website.

Southwestern Railroad: This shortline is owned by the Western Group and is a rather large operation, running on 257 miles of track with headquarters in Carlsbad. To contact the railroad; 110 East Fox Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220. Phone 575-885-7104.

Texas-New Mexico Railroad: The TNM is owned by Iowa Pacific Holdings and operates just over 100 miles of trackage (formerly, Texas & Pacific/Missouri Pacific) between Monahans, Texas and Lovington, New Mexico with a connection to the Union Pacific at the former location. To contact the railroad about possible openings please click here.

Arizona Eastern Railway: The Arizona Eastern is now owned by Genesee & Wyoming. It is a large shortline that operates more than 260 miles of trackage between Clifton and Miami, which was part of the Southern Pacific system until the late 1980s. To contact the railroad about possible job openings please click here.

Commuter and Light Rail Transit

I am not sure if the Rail Runner employs their own personnel or contracts the work to a third party. However, their website is listed below:

New Mexico Rail Runner Express

For more information about shortline railroads that serve New Mexico 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.