Oh boy!! LOL!!! I've worked for Metra R.R. for over 22 yrs. first in the track dept. then the B&B (bridges & buildings) Have worked all over the Chicago-land area. Go for the two areas that you said, you'll get better pay!! Couple of points here...BE ON TIME, EVERY TIME!!! Keep a clean safety record, in other words, work safely!! If ya do that and do what the supervisors tell ya,( in a safe manner ) you''ll be good. Not too sure how freight R.R.'s do their deal, but can't be much different than commuter rails. I never worked as a conductor or switch tender, but kinda sortof did some of that while in the track dept. Good luck to ya, and from what I've been told by some " old-heads " retirement from a R.R. is pretty good. I'm far from it!! LOL!!!