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Virginia Railroad Jobs

As with almost every other state the largest employers for Virginia 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 Virginia:

Class I Railroads

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

CSX Transportation

Norfolk Southern Railway

Shortlines and Regionals

Bay Coast Railroad

Buckingham Branch Railroad

Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad

Commonwealth Railway

Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad (Operates the Shenandoah Valley Railroad)

Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad

North Carolina and Virginia Railroad

Virginia Southern Railroad

Winchester and Western Railroad

Commuter and Light Rail Transit

Virginia Railway Express

For more information about shortline railroads that serve Virginia 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 Virginia railroad jobs directly please use the below search box from Indeed.com.

Virginia 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 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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