Balance

Danny, Shane ... all:
If you want to make working on the railroad a career, advise yourself now that you will need to live simply.
Without mentioning specific names, positions, or railroads, you'll be lucky to be making over $10 an hour. If you're really really good at everything, there may be a couple positions at $15 an hour. There's a lot of other jobs with a lot less work and responsibility that pay a lot more than this.
In this string, it's mentioned to make trains an avocation (labor of love) and have something in addition to maintain house and home ... balance. But, with no kids, no debt, and a simple life, it's possible to sustain with tourist railroad wages.
Several years back, Bill Stettler started a railroad career at the Georgetown Loop. During that time, he went to school to become a machinist. With that experience he moved on and is with Doyle McCormick in Portland and helps run the 4449 and maintain steam operations. His bills are paid by being a mainline engineer on the BNSF.
There's a bunch of other personal stories, I'm sure.
With the worst vice being advice, don't expect any railroad to sit you at the throttle without a lot of time on site and proven ability, maturity, and knowledge of operations. A lot of places are looking for shop help and brakemen. That would be a great start.
As for Colorado operations, no FRA license is required. Training is conducted and a test must be successfully passed.