By size and population, New Hampshire is the fifth smallest state in the United States. It holds a population of a little over 1.3 million people. Now, with this said, are there still railroad jobs in New Hampshire?
Yes, there are. Unfortunately, though, chances are lower compared to other states. Getting a railroad job in New Hampshire can get tricky.
This is because there is no Class I railways. And, there are just a few short lines running in the state.
The major or primary network in the area is Pan American Railways, a class II regional. And as of early June 2022, it is now part of CSX Transporation.
Overall, the state is mostly bereft of railways. Even freight trade is relatively uncommon. In total, New Hampshire runs less than 500 miles of trackage.
Why is this so? Well, the state actually had a lot of tracks laid down before.
New Hampshire rails had their heyday many years ago. But, most of them were demolished and abandoned.
I can only imagine the beautiful railroad ties that could be found there over the years!
Despite its short trackage, though, it still plays a role in the economy. We’ll go in-depth on these shortly.
So, if you’re looking for railroad jobs in New Hampshire, expect some challenges. The job market will be competitive. But of course, this shouldn’t let you down. If you’re really keen on working in the area, it’s worth the try.
Today, we take a look at all your possibilities for railroad jobs in New Hampshire.
We discuss all the companies you can apply for.
We additionally briefly talk about its railroad history, it’s always important to understand the industry you are getting into!
This way, you get a better idea of how its rails came to be. And finally, we address some good job hunting tips for you.
Let’s start.
The History Of New Hampshire Railroads
Being part of New England, New Hampshire boasts sweeping hillsides and farms. The state is actually located in the center of New England.
One of the most notable Northeastern railways of its day was the Maine Central Railroad.
This system traveled across the Northern Panhandle of New Hampshire and Vermont. These routes are now absorbed by Pam Am Railways.
New Hampshire also housed smaller railroads. These include the:
- Worcester, Nashua, and Portland Railroad
- Eastern Railroad
- Suncook Valley Railroad
There was also The Boston & Maine Railroad. This was the state’s primary railway provider. The B&M provided service to almost all of New Hampshire’s major cities and communities.
Despite its demise, the B&M is still legally recognized. It continued to exist on paper through Pam Am Railways.
However, this was then removed when Pam Am took part in CSX’s network.
But even then, New Hampshire never had more than 1,500 miles of trackage. In its heyday, the state operated approximately 1,200 miles of track.
And like the rest of New England, the state lost a significant amount of rail infrastructure. A staggering 70% of rails were abandoned throughout the years.
There was a small abundance of railways in the 19th century. However, these only serviced specific regions.
These railways were not maximized for the state’s overall freight.
Today, Pam Am Railways is the backbone of New Hampshire’s network. Although not a huge network the state’s rails continue to serve the economy today.
The Impact Of Rail Infrastructure In New Hampshire
Pam Am mainly hauls and transports for a selection of industries. This includes rail, energy, manufacturing, and real estate, to name a few.
These generate some traffic and keep the state’s railways moving. And it’s about to get better as CSX acquired the network just this June 2022.
Looking forward, it will improve the state’s freight and Pam Am’s network. If all goes well with this, freight, traffic, and supply chain will experience a rise.
This is great news for the industry and for your employment opportunities!
Finally, the railroad is a job-generating and labor-intensive sector.
Given that New Hampshire holds a small population, it can really only host a small percentage of jobs.
New Hampshire has over 200 railroad employees today. And with CSX Transportation’s acquisition, they might need more people aboard.
And, you can be a part of this!
Working For The Railroad Industry In New Hampshire: What To Expect
New to the sector? If you’re serious about railroading, it’s to your best advantage to conduct some study first.
Working in the railroad really requires an individual to appreciate the industry.
In other words, it’s not for the fainthearted. This is because some railroads have erratic hours. Most of them, mostly train crews, have 12-hour shifts.
Plus, the company can often relocate you at any given moment.
So, it’s possible that you might be away from home a lot. However, these shifts typically occur in Class I jobs. And, there aren’t any Class Is in the state.
Nevertheless, it’s still good to keep in mind.
Shortlines and regionals offer more predictable hours. But their wages don’t compare to class Is. This is another factor.
If you want the finest salary in the sector, Class Is are your best bet.
Finally, keep in mind that we’re merely here to assist you in your hunt for new employment.
Recruiting strategies and rules vary from network to network. We can’t assist you with work-centric questions.
Your best chance is to get in contact with the company directly.
So, let’s start by going through your options.
Here are the various companies you can apply for in New Hampshire:
Class II Railroad Jobs in New Hampshire
Pam Am Railways (Sold and Part of CSX Transportation as of 6/22)
In the 1980s, this railway was the old Guilford Transportation. During this time, it had several New England rails under its roster. And in only 2006, it was renamed the Pam Am Railways.
This track was actually the country’s most prominent Class II regional carrier. It had a total of 1,800 miles of trackage.
But in 2020, they announced that they were up for sale. And just recently, CSX acquired the network.
CSX aims to strengthen its network and stretch its capabilities to the Northeast.
This includes dependable freight services and better transportation initiatives. It’s a promising deal.
Plus, it should open more jobs along the way. So, this is good news for all you possible New Hampshire job seekers.
Catch updates and learn more about Pam Am by clicking here.
Class III Shortline Railroad Jobs In New Hampshire
Claremont Concord Railroad
Before being renamed, this small line was once known as the Claremont & Concord. It was first built in 1848 and finally linked the towns that bear their name to one other.
It still runs freight as well as other operations on Concord’s surviving 3-mile trackage. Check the company’s website for contact details.
Green Mountain Railroad
The GMRC is a shortline with tracks passed on by some owners. Its previous operators were the B&M and Rutland Railroad. Contact the company directly for job openings.
Milford-Bennington Railroad
The Milford-Bennington Railroad has been around since the 1980s.
The state owns this class III shortline. Additionally, it mainly carries aggregate, sand, and gravel.
Overall, it operates nearly 19 miles of trackage. Its route travels from Wilton, Bennington, and Milford.
New England Central Railroad
This shortline has been around since 1995. During this time, the company acquired holdings of the Central Vermont Railway.
It transported as many as 10,000 carloads each year.
Eventually, it was taken over by the renowned Genesee & Wyoming in 2012. Moreover, it runs over 350 miles of trackage.
For job opportunities, you can head to the Genesee & Wyoming page. Click here.
New England Southern Railroad
Next on the list of shortlines is NEGS. The New England Southern Railroad is a shortline from Canterbury, NH.
Visit the company’s website for more information. Click here.
New Hampshire Central Railroad
This is an independent or privately-owned class III shortline in the state. It runs a disconnected New Hampshire western track.
One route travels in Groveton and Littleton. While the other travels to Colebrook and North Stratford. Contact the company for any career possibilities.
New Hampshire Northcoast Corp.
This is another independently-owned class III. The New Hampshire Northcoast commenced in the 1980s.
And, it’s one of the oldest shortlines in the state today. Its route spans from Rollinsford and Ossipee.
St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad
The St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad is a Class III shortline railroad. Its routes mainly travel from Maine, Portland, Montreal, Quebec, and The St. Lawrence River. It also travels across the Atlantic Ocean. Hence, its name.
Additionally, its rails also cross the border of Canada and The United States. It passes through Vermont, Norton, Quebec, and Stanhope.
Overall, it operates 162-mile trackage. This is another G&W shortline. So, if you’d like to work for the company, check their website.
Begin Your Journey As A Railroader With These Railroad Jobs In New Hampshire!
When it comes to railroad jobs in New Hampshire, you’ve got limited options. Your biggest chance is the Pam Am (now CSX-acquired) railway.
There are some shortlines in the area, too.
So, expect a tricky and meticulous job hunt.
In a tight job market like this, expect companies to look for more specific experience. But, that doesn’t mean that entry-level positions won’t pop up.
So, don’t give up. You may face some challenges with this state. As long as you put your mind to it, you’ll find an opportunity.
When you do, that’s just the start of it. The rewards multiply tenfold, especially after years. You’ll always grow and learn new things.
Are you still looking for new opportunities? We can help you. Our website has a list of railroad jobs per state. Click here.
Keep an eye on our blog for fresh railroad-related articles, too!
That puts an end to our railroad jobs in New Hampshire article.
Best of luck in your job search and railroad career!
