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Bucks County Community College in Bucks County, Pa., has developed locomotive engineer and conductor training programs and plans to offer the courses in the fall semester, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Covering operating rules, train air-brake theory, rail infrastructure, diesel and electric locomotive operation, and other topics, the programs are designed to prepare students for attending a railroad training academy. The college attempted to offer the courses for the upcoming spring semester, but didn't attract the necessary enrollment.

The Class Is continue to seek thousands of engineers and conductors because of attrition, growing global trade and high fuel prices that are diverting some traffic from trucks to rail (although railroads' diesel costs are skyrocketing, as well).

Engineers' and conductors' salaries average about $75,000 and $67,000, respectively, according to the AAR.