MODOC Railroad Academy

[Shortliner]

So I've always seen the ad for MODOC Railroad Academy inside TRAINS magazine, and awhile back and I have to wonder if it's really worth the money. From what I hear, railroads (Class 1s) tend to have their own training program for engineers and conductors. If that's the case, then what's the point of MODOC? Do graduates of MODOC tend to work for regional or shortline railroads?

http://modocrailroadacademy.com/mra_main.html

I guess I'm just not seeing the point of this program, but maybe that's because I don't work in the industry.

[Chessie8638]

A lot of graduates get hired out by the Class I's. That way the railroad doesn't have to pay for training. NS is the only RR with a "real" training center (in McDonough, Georgia), they pay for your training, pay you, and I believe pay for place to stay while there. the other railroads have on-site training only.

EDIT: CSX has a center to. They call it the "REDI Center."