Anthony Soto
Superintendent of Corridor Operations
BNSF Railway
San Bernardino, CA USA
“Don’t take no for an answer. Take advantage of everything that a job can give to you.”
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By Roadtrip NationAnthony Soto
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I grew up in Barstow, California—while Barstow is a railway town, I never really expected to be working for the railway.
After high school, I joined the military.
When I got out of the military, I gained experience working for a couple of different logistics companies.
I eventually joined BNSF Railway and have been working here for about 20 years now.
I completed a 13-week craft program to become a switchman or conductor.
Two years later, I was promoted to locomotive engineer.
I started as an assistant terminal superintendent, worked up to terminal superintendent, and finally landed at my current role as superintendent of corridor operations for the California division.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Superintendent of Corridor Operations
I oversee railway freight movement throughout California.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Numbers
Accomplishing Goals
Day to Day
I oversee dispatchers coordinating nonstop logistics between terminals under tight timing rules, much like air traffic controllers. We’re one big, fast-paced conveyor belt. When there’s a breakdown, I lead our emergency response to safely reset the network, getting boots on the ground no matter the hour. It’s demanding, but those problem-solving wins keeping customers’ freight rolling make it rewarding. I also manage shifts, balancing work-life in a job that’s always on in the background.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Visit the railway websites and pay attention to training and hiring ads. We also put on a lot of job fairs at different locations. Those are great opportunities to seek information. I also recommend visiting an actual rail site and inquiring about job opportunities. There are also vocational schools for railroaders. I'd recommend checking those out to get in front of the hiring pool. A business or logistics degree is also beneficial for this career.
