Q: What does it cost to attend?
A: For 2008, the basic eight week Conductor Class is $6492. For 2008, the sixteen to twenty week Locomotive Engineer class is $17,992. To attend Locomotive Engineer class, you must be either a graduate of the Modoc Railroad Academy Conductor program, or a current railroad conductor employee. The total cost for 2008 for a new Locomotive Engineer student is $24,484.
( $6492 plus $17,992 ) ( conductor class plus engineer class ).....All prices are subject to change.

Q: Why attend Modoc Railroad Academy and not some Junior College?
A: For the same reason people attend Harvard, Yale or other non-government schools. Your best education is always at a private school such as Modoc Railroad Academy. Also, Modoc Railroad Academy is the only school of it's kind in the world.

Q. How do I start the process to become a railroad conductor or locomotive engineer?
A: Go to the "APPLY" page and first look at the class dates for a class date that works for you. Then, download the "pre-application" fill it out and send it to the school. Include a deposit in the form of check or money order. After 2 to 3 weeks from the date you mailed your application, you should receive a acceptance notice and other information from the school. Remember, space is very limited and you may not get the class you applied for.

Q: What are the qualifications to attend ?
A: Minimum age is for conductor training is 18, and the person should have a least two years work experience. There is no maximum age limit. You must have a high school diploma or G.E.D.. You must be able to lift 60 pounds and climb a ladder ten feet tall. A clean criminal record for the last eight years and no drunk driving convictions in the past three and a half years. Minimum age for locomotive engineer students is 24. The same above standards apply. International students should contact the school.

Q: Does your school guarantee a job?
A: No. Any reputable school, from your local Junior college, to the Modoc Railroad Academy will not and can not guarantee any type of employment.

Q: What is the success rate for your school?
A: The school averages 94% job placement. We have 100% job offers since January 4, 2000.

Q: Do I need to go to your school to work for a railroad ?
A: No. You can apply directly for any job with any railroad and take your chances. Most of our classes are filled with people who have done just that.

Q: Do any railroads hire people from your program?
A: Yes. Students from this program work on BNSF, Amtrak, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSXT and many other regional and shortline railroads.

Q: Can I just take the engineer program only, since I only want to be a engineer?
A: No. You must take and pass the conductor program first, before you can enroll in the locomotive engineer program.

Q: What type of certification or license will I get when I graduate?
A: Conductors will get a Certified Conductor Card. Engineer’s get a Class One - Train Service Locomotive Engineer License. Both are valid for two years after issuance.

Q: Are there student aid, grants or scholarships available?
A: Student aid application forms are available on the “APPLY” page of our web site. We do not offer grants. Scholarships are offered often in conjunction with Trains magazine

Q I am a Veteran. Can I use my G.I. Bill College funds to pay for railroad training?
A: We do not accept this form of payment, however we have made special arraignments with the North Coast Veterans Resource Center in Eureka,California to provide funding when available to all veterans. Veterans only should call 707-442-4322 and inquire as to the availablity of funding.

Q: What is a typical day like at Modoc Railroad Academy?
A: Most class days are 6 to 7 hours a day, however classes have gone as long as 13 hours. Classes are often five days a week, except when students are working on track, repairing freight cars or locomotives, running trains or other normal tasks on a railroad.

Q: What else can you tell me about Modoc Railroad Academy?
A: Modoc Railroad Academy is the only non-profit school of it's kind. Founded in 1995, over 500 people have graduated from our program and work on railroads across the country. Most students say that Modoc Railroad Academy is like no other school they have ever attended and are glad to have made us the start of their railroad career. Many on site reviews of the school have been conducted by officials from Amtrak, BNSF, Union Pacific and other railroads. All these railroads approve and support this program.