C N Rail

What is the best part of working at the company?
You are outside in good weather . You're not stuck in an office . opportunity to work in different places all across the country if you want

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management watching you like a hawk so they can discipline you for the smallest things.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The majority of running trades employees are great people.  The environment and culture good job but management has to treat it's employees like humans not just as one of the CEO's called us disposable liabilities.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Show up get changed into work clothes. Get a safety briefing. Then get your paper work make sure it is all in order. Depending if you are working the mainline or in the yard.  If on the mainline you head out to your power( engines) get them ready and brake tested them go pick up your train get a brake test and on your way either straight to where you are going or stop and do any setoff or pick-up cars online as instructed in your paperwork  get to your destination put your train away on the yard. Then off to the hotel for 8 - 10 hrs  and do the whole routine again going home. In the yard you switch out cars to go on the train and to various customers around the area some yard jobs strictly stay in the yard and switch all day others go out and service customers  some jobs do both.

Canadian National Railway (CN) is known for offering stable, well-paying jobs, especially for those willing to work in demanding conditions. Salaries vary depending on the role, but conductors and engineers can earn upwards of $80,000 to $100,000 per year, with experienced employees making even more through overtime. CN also provides benefits such as pension plans, health insurance, and job security, making it attractive for long-term employment.

However, the work culture at CN can be tough. The railway operates 24/7, meaning employees often work long, irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The company prioritizes efficiency and safety, which can create a high-pressure environment. Management is known to be strict, and the culture can sometimes feel rigid, with little room for flexibility. Employees are expected to be highly disciplined and committed to their work schedules.

- Work- 24/7
- Corporate Direction
- Privileged to have Managers who appreciated my work ethic and knowledge and not questioned due to my lack of designations or post secondary, they relied upon my work experience 
- Displeased by certain executives who looked done on lack of post secondary designations, educated idiots with a lack of practical knowledge, 
- Corporate mis-direction regarding which group had too much  authority, (Transportation)
- By far the good people I worked with and the direction of my immediate directors and VP’s who worked under


There is no work life balance at all but they will just tell you how lucky you are to have the job. Or they will tell you that you can leave. The old guys get to do nothing all day then the younger guys get hammered with loads of work. But don't fear if you are a lazy guy who doesn't want to work then perfect for you they will just dump your work on someone else who is genuinely trying to make a difference. But that will only last until he gets burnt out and takes a leave of absence. Then when he is back fit for duty they will come up with unfounded reasons to give him a formal investigation and fire him. Then repeat the cycle so go for it if you're into that life style.

In this role, the employee consistently met basic job requirements but showed limited initiative in taking on additional responsibilities. While completing assigned tasks adequately, there is room for improvement in terms of creativity, problem-solving, and overall contribution to team dynamics. Timely execution of duties was observed, yet a more proactive approach to challenges and a stronger commitment to professional growth would enhance overall performance. Communication skills were sufficient, but fostering a more collaborative and proactive work style could lead to a more impactful contribution to the team.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Good pay
Friendly co workers
Good benefits
If you like trains than best place to work

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Winters working outside
Trains on time performance 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Depending on position  of working on trains or on the ground
Work environment I found great in both areas 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Transport of goods between city's
Or shuttling rail cars in train yards

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great benefits and salary. A safety focused company. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The dangers of the job. The unpredictable nature of the work. Schedule changes last minute make it hard to make family plans.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Good, I mostly work on my own.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Start early in the morning (about 4am) and work long hours (12 hour days).

What is the best part of working at the company?
If you can look past the politics railroading can be a very satisfying job

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Possible short work blocks 
Working outside in ALL weather
Prehistoric handtools

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
If you have the right crew its very rewarding

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Depends on the job of the day either very slow possibly boring or balls tonthe wall swinging hammers

Working at CN as a Carman was a great experience. As long as your comfortable working nights for the foreseeable future the pay is great and the work is consistent. The job itself is interesting on the repairs side but can become dull on the inspection side. One major negative was management. They had a tendency of the taking brand new apprentices and offering them a position as a Frontline supervisor. That les to a lot of people butting heads. All in all it was a great place to work.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Had  a pension and making overtime 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Travelling all over different provinces with your own vehicle 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Sometimes very good and sometimes pushy with different supervisors 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Working 10 to 12 hours a day on a average

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