Sacramento City College
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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Railroad Operations

Railroad Operations

Overview

The Rail Academy of Central California (TRACC) offers a Railroad Operations program designed for students pursuing a career as a Railroad Conductor, Engineer, or Manager of Train Operations. The Certificate of Achievement and degree program in Railroad Operations prepares students for an exciting and well-paying career. The more than five hundred companies that make up the United States Railroad industry provide the country’s freight and passenger transportation service on a network of some 300,000 route-miles of track. Railroads employ a substantial workforce to service, maintain, and manage this extensive transportation network. Railroad Operations is a 19-unit, six-course program. The curriculum is approved by the Railroad Education and Training Education.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Railroad Operations
  • Railroad Operations Certificate

Associate Degree

A.S. in Railroad Operations

This program is designed for students pursuing a career as a Railroad Conductor, Engineer or Manager of Train Operations.


Recommended High School Preparation: English, mathematics, physics, electronics, mechanics, and computers.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
RAILR 100 History of Railroading 3
RAILR 102 Railroad Technical Careers 3
RAILR 120 Railroad Operations 3
RAILR 122 Railroad Safety, Quality, and Environment 3
RAILR 140 Railroad General Code of Operating Rules 4
RAILR 142 Railroad Field Operations 3
Total Units: 19

The Railroad Operations Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • be a high school graduate or have obtained a GED.
  • must have no Felony criminal violations.
  • must be capable of lifting 75 pounds.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • qualify for an interview for a Conductor, Engineer or Management Position.
  • demonstrate the knowledge and skills appropriate for an entry level railroad position.
  • demonstrate the knowledge and skills pertaining to industry history, careers, operations, safety, quality, environment, procedures, and operating rules.

Career Information

Sacramento City College's certificate of achievement and degree program in Railroad Operations prepares students for an exciting and well-paying career. The more than five hundred companies that make up the United States Railroad industry provide the country's freight and passenger transportation service on a network of some 300,000 route-miles of track. Railroads employ a substantial workforce to service, maintain, and manage this extensive transportation network. Railroad Operations is an 19-unit, six-course program. The curriculum is approved by the Railroad Education and Training Association. In addition to normal student expenses, the Railroad Operations Program requires an additional expenditure of approximately $350.00 for protective clothing, work boots, and safety equipment. Contact the Financial Aid office for possible assistance before entering the program.

Certificate of Achievement

Railroad Operations Certificate

This program is designed for students pursuing a career as a Railroad Conductor or Engineer.


Recommended High School Preparation: English, mathematics, physics, electronics, mechanics and computers.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
RAILR 102 Railroad Technical Careers 3
RAILR 120 Railroad Operations 3
RAILR 122 Railroad Safety, Quality, and Environment 3
RAILR 140 Railroad General Code of Operating Rules 4
RAILR 142 Railroad Field Operations 3
Total Units: 16

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • be a high school graduate or have obtained a GED.
  • must have no Felony criminal violations.
  • must be capable of lifting 75 pounds.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • qualify for an interview for a Conductor or Engineer Position with a Class I Railroad.
  • demonstrate the knowledge and skills appropriate for an entry level railroad position.
  • demonstrate the knowledge and skills pertaining to industry history, careers, operations, safety, quality, environment, procedures, and operating rules.

Career Information

Sacramento City College's certificate of achievement and Degree Program in Railroad Operations prepares students for an exciting and well-paying career. The more than five hundred companies that make up the United States Railroad industry provide the country's freight and passenger transportation service on a network of some 300,000 route-miles of track. Railroads employ a substantial workforce to service, maintain, and manage this extensive transportation network. Railroad Operations is an 16-unit, five course program. The curriculum is approved by the Railroad Education and Training Association. In addition to normal student expenses, the Railroad Operations Program requires an additional expenditure of approximately $350.00 for protective clothing, work boots, and safety equipment. Contact the Financial Aid office for possible assistance before entering the program.

Railroad Operations (RAILR) Courses

RAILR 100 History of Railroading

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the history and traditions of railroading and the industry's role in North American economic development. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to list and explain the significance of major events in North American railroading. There is an off-campus, alternate learning site for this class.

RAILR 102 Railroad Technical Careers

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course includes information about technical careers in railroading, thereby, enabling students to choose suitable career paths. This course includes alternate learning sites that will demonstrate the relationship among technical work groups in day-to-day railroad operations. Students must provide their own transportation to the alternate learning sites. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to describe basic technical job functions, requirements, and characteristics of their chosen career path.

RAILR 120 Railroad Operations

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course explores the complex subject of railroad operations; it will also explore various railroad system elements which shape and govern operations. There is an off-campus, alternate learning site for this class. Students must provide their own transportation. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to define the current North American railroad industry characteristics, basic operations, components and processes, industry structure and some administrative processes.

RAILR 122 Railroad Safety, Quality, and Environment

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the importance of safety quality, personal health, and environmental awareness to the railroad industry and emphasizes the basic tools and techniques for improving these conditions on the job. There is an off-campus, alternate learning site for this class. Students must provide their own transportation. Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to define and explain the need for improved safety, quality, health, and environmental awareness, describe their basic principles, explain the elements of successful programs, and apply these elements to typical tasks on the job.

RAILR 140 Railroad General Code of Operating Rules

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:RAILR 120 and 122 with grades of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides instruction in the use and application of railroad rules, timetables, general orders, track bulletins, track warrants, and train orders. The students will learn their interpretation, origin, and use in the railroad industry. Students are required to pass the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) Examination and will be required to write and re-write general orders, timetables, and rules. This course provides an in-depth study of the GCOR. Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to apply the General Code of Operating Rules to safe and efficient train movement and operations. Students must pass the prerequisite courses prior to attending this course. See an instructor about any special requirements. There is an alternate learning site for this class at the ACE Maintenance Facility in Stockton, California. Students must provide their own transportation.

RAILR 142 Railroad Field Operations

  • Units:3
  • Hours:48 hours LEC; 24 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:RAILR 120, RAILR 122, and RAILR 140 with grades of "C" or better or hold a valid General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) certification card.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides for use and application of: railroad rules, timetables, general orders, track bulletins, track warrants, and train orders. Students will apply these in the classroom and in a railroad setting. Students are required to show that they have passed the General Code of Operating Rules examination on their first day of class. Students not qualified in the rules will not be allowed to continue in the class. In addition to the lectures, students will go on a weekend day and weekday evening field trips where they will participate in: making up trains, coupling and uncoupling cars and locomotives, hooking up air hoses, troubleshooting air brakes systems, getting on and off stationary equipment, removing and applying knuckles of cars (knuckles weigh up to 90 pounds), and lining up different types of switches. Students are required to wear lace-up boots that cover the ankle with defined heels, leather gloves, loose fitting jeans or coveralls that cover the legs and do not restrict movement, shirts with sleeves, and hearing and eye protection. Hats that provide protection from the sun and rain are recommended. Students should be prepared to work outside in all types of weather. There is an alternate learning site for this class at the ACE Maintenance Facility in Stockton, California. Students must provide their own transportation.

RAILR 144 Railroad Air Brakes

  • Units:3.5
  • Hours:54 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:RAILR 120 and RAILR 122 with grades of "C" or better.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course offers an overview of the train air brake system from the rear of the engine to the flashing rear end device with a focus on the American brake valve. Emphasis is placed on Federal Railroad Administration requirements for Initial Terminal Brake Test, as well as industry Air Brake Rules on the use and application of the air brake system. The course includes inspection of the load, under carriage, air brake connections, hand brake systems, drain valves, and cut-out cocks. There is an alternate learning site for this class at the ACE Maintenance Facility in Stockton, California. Students must provide their own transportation.

RAILR 294 Topics in Railroad Operations

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Hours:8 - 72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to study topics in Railroad Operations not included in current course offerings. This course may be taken four times for credit providing there is no duplication of topics.

RAILR 295 Independent Studies in Railroad Operations

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is an independent studies course. The topics are to be arranged between the instructor and student.

RAILR 299 Experimental Offering in Railroad Operations

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is a specialized course developed in cooperation with industry to address emerging training needs in railroad operations. This course may be taken no more than three times for credit provided there is no duplication of topics.

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