Pros
its a good job where you can learn how to work as a team with other people in all types of crafts. it can be in the mechanical or electrical department where you can learn the nomenclature of all the parts that make it run. or you can be in other departments like on board service, track signal. the list is endless.but its really up to you.as a person on how far you want to climb the ladder to maintain your goals.and one thing about the railroad you can learn something new every day. safety is top priority. every rule in that book is there for a reason. someone got injured or got killed. that equipment does not have any remorse on who is in the way when something goes wrong. i worked the yard and the wheel track on and off as a car inspector. 2 years with penn central and 35 years with amtrak. never had an accident. the retirement benifits are great. you have to have 5 years in to be vested. you have vacation, family medical leave. and you get a rail pass to ride the trains. let me just point one other thing out. the railroad is a 24 hour 7 day a week job. its runs just like the military so if you can not take orders this type of job is not for you.
Cons
they need to implement sick days for the shop craft workers.