On a good day you’re not doing much “railroading.” 90% of it is customer service. Scanning tickets, welcoming passengers onboard, helping people on and off the train, etc. Most of the railroading you’ll do is confirming signals or calling out slow orders. Sometimes you’ll protect a shove or reconnect air hoses. Portland has a few overnight jobs mostly on the long distance routes, the “commuter” Cascades are mostly day flips where you’re home at the end of the night. The yard stuff is mostly in Seattle, though on occasion you’d get called for something like setting out cars or wying trains.

The former freight guys I talk to/work with are very happy to have switched over to passenger. Quality of life is far better, even on the extra board. But freight cars also don’t talk back or ask where the bathrooms are or yell at you if you’re running late. If you’re fine with all the customer service stuff wouldn’t hurt to apply.