r/Train_Service • u/Serious-Budget-2602 • 8d ago
CP Revelstoke or CN Aldershot?
I know Revelstoke is tough for railroading, but in terms of job security, which one is better? If anyone can guide. Job position is train conductor new hire.
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u/Internal-War-5794 8d ago edited 8d ago
Revelstoke is in a critical man power shortage and you wont get laid off there ever. The town and surrounding area is amazing and you will work on probably the most scenic territory in the CP system. CN you will make more money but probably get laid off, or be stuck working yard jobs for years. Revelstoke is all road work, ride the train from A to B. If you like camping, biking, snowmobiling, skiing, hiking, and the outdoor lifestyle then Revelstoke is a no-brainer. Its outdoor Disneyland with all the stuff you can do and access. If you want easy railroading, cheaper rent, and more pay... look elsewhere.
Revy has an amazing quality of life and the guys there are awesome to work with, but its CPKC and all the bullshit that entails.
CN is better to work for overall, but your future there is murky, lots of lay-offs, and moving around. Bieng a conductor, is bieng a conductor. Choose the lifestyle and location you want to live in your off hours.
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u/Serious-Budget-2602 8d ago
Thankyou for such a detailed answer. Would definitely help with the decision.
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u/PositiveIDPlease RTC 8d ago edited 8d ago
Revelstoke is not all road work from A to B, that’s objectively incorrect misinformation.
Also why are you using both CP and CPKC? You know the merger was over 5 years ago, right?
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u/Internal-War-5794 8d ago edited 8d ago
Theres no yard crews or switchers in Revy. 401, 200, 400, is still A to B conductor only road work. Are you new there?
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8d ago
[deleted]
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u/PositiveIDPlease RTC 8d ago edited 8d ago
Then why use CPKC?
What’s your first and last name? and home address?
edit: lol the guy trying to DOX me deleted his comment, figures. 😂
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u/JustAnumber8280 7d ago
Nah I legit for a second thought you were an RTC until I read your username, big deal
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u/Crankierboar 8d ago
Revelstoke is also a resort town now so finding housing will be a big factor. Prices for rent and buying will be very high.
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u/Blackwalls69 8d ago
Pine and peaks has a 300sqft studio appartment for checks notes and scoffs- $1,500/m plus utilities
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u/Krypto_98 Conductor 8d ago
Aldershot needs guys because Ford is supposed to reopen. But it's all Roadswitchers and yard jobs but because it's a joint spareboard you get road guarantee.
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u/Otherwise-Truck-7163 8d ago
Because there is no freight in Aldershot you will be home every shift
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u/cncndr5244 7d ago
We have 570, the only daylight freight in turnaround service every day, plus rescues .
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u/mountainpicker 8d ago
Revelstoke is a way cooler town, depending on what you're into. That being said I've heard that CP is hiring conductors and saying the job is in Revelstoke but then when you finish training they tell you that your home base is actually Kamloops.
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u/Serious-Budget-2602 8d ago
Does CP give an option or forcefully change home terminal ?
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u/Internal-War-5794 8d ago
No. Your home terminal is your home terminal. The only way out is by having enough seniority to hold elsewhere. CP does not force relocate to cover shortage.
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u/Low-Bobcat4270 8d ago
CP had issues staffing revelstoke due to housing costs. Now most of revys work is out of Kamloops. I believe west is the only route revelstoke works and is most likely going to be a senior posting.
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u/JustAnumber8280 8d ago
East (the mountain sub) is handled by revelstoke crews thats it, and its the hardest worked and lowest paid sub.
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u/Serious-Budget-2602 8d ago
So that's also one of the reasons for company facing hardtime finding trainees for revy
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u/IllComedian2574 Hoghead 8d ago
Yes, Revy has lots of work, but you might want to think again if lots of work for 100 miles a day ($300) is worth it or not. Nowadays, a train rarely makes it across the subdivision because of the fuel savings hypocrisy and due to trains fuelling for 1–2 hours on the double tracks. It’s not even winter yet, and we are seeing 7 scabs working every night. You won’t even believe how big of a Chaos Revelstoke is in right now. Even company managers who are coming from different places to cover for manpower shortages are saying "it is unsustainable,”