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Pennsylvania Railroad Jobs

Even today, few states except perhaps Illinois and California offer such a diverse base of railroading as Pennsylvania. Historically, the state has been home to some of the best known railroads of all time such as its own, the powerful Pennsylvania Railroad. If you are interested in Pennsylvania railroad jobs the state is home to four Class Is (CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, and Canadian Pacific), four Class IIs (Buffalo & Pittsburgh; Wheeling & Lake Erie; Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad; and New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway), and an endless list of Class III, shortlines. Traditionally, the state has carried a traffic base that was predominantly coal but also other freight, and that still holds true today (coal continues to make up about 61% of the total). If you would like to learn more about Pennsylvania's railroads and what they normally carry in and out of the state year-to-year please click here.

If you live in Pennsylvania and are interested in a job on the railroad you are certainly blessed with the number of companies that operate within the state. However, if you are not very familiar with the industry it would definitely be worth taking the time to learn much more about it before deciding. I was interested in being a railroader myself until I learned just how much time one is required to be out on the road and away from family. Because of this many railroaders say it is as much a lifestyle as it is a job. Typically, it is Class I railroads that demand such long hours. However, there are plenty of benefits including a nearly unmatched level of pay (some engineers, for instance, earn a six-digit salary in a single year) and excellent retirement.

In any event, for more information regarding Pennsylvania railroad jobs, please visit the links below or the railroad's individual contact information concerning possible openings. Please be aware, that while I try my best to keep everything completely updated I cannot fully guarantee that there are no mistakes with the information presented below. Finally, if you are attending college and are looking for internships or graduate work during the summer months you may want to check out the career pages of the Class Is listed below, as some offer such programs.

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

Class Is

Amtrak

Canadian National Railway

Canadian Pacific Railway

CSX Transportation

Norfolk Southern Railway

Regional, Class II Railroads

Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad: The Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad is a nearly 370-mile regional operating in western Pennsylvania that connects to Buffalo, New York. The company is currently owned by Genesee & Wyoming, which operates a large number of small railroads. To contact the B&P regarding employment please click here.

New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway: The historic NYS&W (also known as the "Susie-Q") dates back to 1881 and is almost entirely located in New York and New Jersey although it does have a minor presence in northeastern Pennsylvania along the New York/PA border. Overall the regional operates more than 400 miles of track today. To contact them regarding employment please visit their website.

Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (Reading & Northern Railroad): This regional has been in operation since 1983 operating former Reading and Lehigh Valley trackage along a main line that stretches from Reading to Pittston. The railroad also operates numerous coal branches and during the summer months provides excursion services for the public. To contact the R&N about job openings please visit their website.

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway: The historic W&LE dates back to the early 1870s serving northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania with the Lake Erie ports. However, while the original company was dissolved in 1989 it was restarted anew in 1990 operating trackage spun-off by Norfolk Southern that included most of the original W&LE; Akron, Canton & Youngstown; and Pittsburgh & West Virginia stretching from Connellsville, Pennsylvania to Toledo and Lima, Ohio (via trackage rights). To contact the W&LE regarding possible job openings please click here.

Shortline, Class III Railroads

Aliquippa & Ohio River Railroad: The A&OR is another railroad owned by Genesee & Wyoming operating just a short stretch of track (six miles) north of Pittsburgh with a connection to CSX. To contact the railroad please click here.

Allegheny Valley Railroad: This railroad is owned by Carload Express, Inc. and began operations in 1992 serving Washington, Pennsylvania with areas just northeast of Pittsburgh. In total the railroad operates about 70 miles of track connecting with both Class Is in the area, Norfolk Southern and CSX, as well as regionals Buffalo & Pittsburgh and Wheeling & Lake Erie. To contact them regarding job opportunities please visit Carload Express's website.

Belvidere & Delaware River Railway: This shortline is operated by the Black River Railroad and is mostly located in New Jersey although it does reach Easton, Pennsylvania. To contact them about employment please click here.

Brandywine Valley Railroad: This switching railroad is currently owned by Mittal Steel and dates back to the early 1980s operating trackage between Coatesville and Modena. To inquire about job openings; 50 South 1st Avenue, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320-3418. Phone 610-383-2237.

Central New York Railroad: The Central New York Railroad operates about 123 miles of track between Binghamton and Port Jervis, New York with 50 of those miles located within Pennsylvania. To contact the railroad about job openings please visit their website.

Chestnut Ridge Railroad: For contact information; 900 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, Pennsyvlania 18071-2008. Phone 610-826-2451.

Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad: The DL is operated by Genesee Valley Transportation and owns close to 90 miles of railroad in northeastern Pennsylvania. The railroad is famous among railfans for its use of historic Alco diesel locomotives. To contact the railroad please visit their web page.

East Erie Commercial Railroad: To contact this shortline; 1030 Lawrence Parkway, Erie, Pennsylvania 16511. Phone 814-875-2188.

East Penn Railroad: The East Penn Railroad operates more than 100 miles of unconnected track north and west of Philadelphia. For job inquiries please visit their website.

Everett Railroad: Along with its subsidiary, the Hollidaysburg & Roaring Spring Railroad this shortline operates about 23 miles of ex-Pennsylvania Railroad track serving such communities as Claysburg, Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, Martinsburg, and Roaring Spring. The railroad also provides excursion services for the public during the spring, summer, and fall. To contact the railroad about job openings please click here to visit their website.

Gettysburg & Northern Railroad: The Gettysburg & Northern is owned by the Pioneer Rail Corporation and operates a 25-mile railroad between Gettysburg and Mt. Holly Springs. To contact the railroad please click here.

Hollidaysburg & Roaring Spring Railroad: A subsidiary of the Everett Railroad, please visit their website listed above.

Juniata Valley Railroad: This railroad, owned by the North Shore Railroad Company, began operations in 1996 and owns 11 miles of track (originally PRR) between Lewistown, Burnham, and Maitland. To inquire about employment please visit their website.

Kasgro Rail Lines: To inquire about job openings please click here to visit their website.

Kiski Junction Railroad: This shortline and tourist railroad began operations in 1995 on former PRR trackage near the city of Pittsburgh. Please contact them concerning possible employment.

Landisville Terminal & Transfer Company: This small terminal railroad owns about two miles of track near the town of Landisville with a connection to Norfolk Southern. Please visit their website for potential job openings.

Luzerne & Susquehanna Railway: This shortline began operations in 1994 and owns more than 60 miles of track between Wilkes Barre and Scranton. To contact them about job opening please visit their website.

Lycoming Valley Railroad: Another property owned by the North Shore Railroad Company, the LV operates between Muncy and Avis with two connections to Norfolk Southern. To contact the railroad about job openings please visit North Shore's website.

Maryland Midland Railway: Today the Maryland Midland Railway is a Genesee & Wyoming shortline operating 70 miles of railroad mostly located in Maryland but also reaching just south of the Pennsylvania border at Highfield, Maryland. To contact the railroad please click here.

McKeesport Connecting Railroad: Owned by Transtar, this shortline serves industries located near McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Please visit Transtar's website to inquire about job openings.

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad: This popular excursion railroad also operates freight service on 11 miles of railroad connecting its namesake towns. Please visit their website for information regarding employment.

Mount Union Connecting Railroad: Owned by the folks at East Broad Top Railroad (currently a tourist-only railroad), they plan to reactive some of the former EBT track for shortline/terminal service but to-date I do not believe operations have commenced.

New Castle Industrial Railroad: This terminal railroad serves the industries around New Castle, Pennsylvania with connections to CSX and regional Buffalo & Pittsburgh. To contact them; 702 Moravia Street, New Castle, Pennsylvania 16101-3948. Phone 724-654-4449.

Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad: The N&BE is another North Shore railroad operating between Tyrone (near Altoona) and Lock Haven as well as a branch serving Pleasant Gap and State College. Overall the railroad operates about 70 miles of track and has multiple connections to Norfolk Southern. To contact them about job openings please visit North Shore's website.

North Shore Railroad: The North Shore Railroad owns a number of other shortlines but its main railroad connects Northumberland with Beach Haven, covering about 43 miles of track. To contact them about employment please visit their website.

Pennsylvania & Southern Railway: This shortline is owned by the Raritan Central Railroad and operates terminal service near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. To contact them about job openings please visit Raritan's website.

Pennsylvania Southwestern Railroad: This shortline is a Watco Companies property operating right around Midland serving location industries with a connection to NS. To contact them please click here.

Philadelphia Belt Line Railroad: This small terminal railroad operates just over 2 miles of track along Philadelphia's waterfront serving local industries. To contact the company; 601 Walnut Street, Suite 410W, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106. Phone 215-592-7775.

Pittsburgh, Allegheny & McKees Rocks Railroad: The PAM as it is known serves industries near McKees. To contact the railroad; 1A Nichol Avenue, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania 15136-2625. Phone 412-331-3555.

Pittsburgh & Ohio Central Railroad: Another of Genesee & Wyoming's shortlines, the P&OC serves the communities located just west of Pittsburgh along a 35-mile system. To contact them about job opportunities please click here.

R.J. Corman Railroad: RJ Corman is a multifaceted railroad business that operates numerous shortlines in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. To contact them regarding potential job openings please visit their website.

Shamokin Valley Railroad: Another of North Shore's railroads, this shortline operates between Northumberland and Mt. Carmel Junction connecting with both Norfolk Southern and the Reading & Northern. For job opportunities please visit North Shore's website.

SMS Rail Service: SMS Rail Lines offers shortline rail service to locations in New York, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania (operating around the Philadelphia area). Please visit their website to inquire about employment.

Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad: This railroad is owned by Carload Express and began operations in 1995 using 60 miles of trackage between Uniontown and an interchange with Norfolk Southern north of Greensburg. Please visit Carload Express's website to contact them about job opportunities.

Stourbridge Railroad: This shortline operates about 24 miles of track between Honesdale and Lackawaxen Township with a connection to Norfolk Southern located there. The railroad is also well known for its excursion services available to the public during warmer weather. Please contact them to inquire about job openings.

Turtle Creek Industrial Railroad: This small railroad operates between Pittsburgh and Export on 11 miles of track serving local industries. To contact them; 2658 Puckety Drive, Export, Pennsylvania 15632-1234. Phone 724-327-0280.

Tyburn Railroad: To contact this shortline which operates around the Morrisville area; 1535 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Morrisville, Pennsylvania 19067-2505. Phone 215-428-9290.

Union Railroad: This historic shortline has been in operation since 1896 and is currently owned by Transtar. Today, it serves industries located near Pittsburgh. Please contact Transtar for job inquiries.

Union County Industrial Railroad: This shortline is yet another property owned by North Shore operating between Allenwood and Windfield with a connection to NS at Milto. Please contact North Shore for job openings.

Wellsboro & Corning Railroad: The Wellsboro & Corning Railroad connects its namesake cities operating between Corning, New York (where it interchange with CP and NS) and Wellsboro, Pennsylvania on a 35-mile line. To contact the railroad about job openings please click here to visit their website.

Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad: The WNY&P began operations in 2001 and operates well over 300 miles of track in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. It is currently owned by the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville, a nearby shortline itself. Please visit the WNY&P's website to inquire about job openings.

York Railway: Today, the York Railway is operated by the Genesee & Wyoming although its history dates back to the famous little Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad (the Ma & Pa). The railroad currently operates about 42 miles of track. To contact the railroad please click here.

Youngstown & Southeastern Railroad: This railroad is owned by the Indiana Boxcar Corporation and began operations in 2006 between Youngstown, Ohio and Darlington, Pennsylvania with connections to both CSX and NS. Please Indiana Boxcar to inquire about employment.

Commuter and Light Rail Transit

The commuter agencies listed below are provided for your interest as I am unsure if they hire their own employees or contract out the operations to private contractors.

New Jersey Transit

Port Authority of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh)

Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO, Philadelphia)

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

For more information about shortline railroads that serve Pennsylvania 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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