Ah yes the Model RR workbench, you could model a caboose with a model rr workbench indisde with a model of a caboose with a model rr workbench inside with a caboose with a model rr workbench inside
================================= All I know is that the way-cars that are still in operating condition are pretty nasty vehicles! If your train(only locals or yard transfers)has one, and it is during the winter, you better hope that the stove is in operating condition,or it is like riding in a coffin!!!! CT
Not to further discourage anyone...but But, maybe I missed it too, No one mentioned the deal on FRA violations. The idea is not to make mistakes, but I was reading some of the most recent. Like 1000.00 for op a machine without a functional horn. (my stuff is in the truck, Im taking a best guess) Then say if they can make it a willfull violation its times 2. Ive also heard they have rode with crews, and try and set up guys. Say on a form B, they will try to get the conductor to give a incorrect repeat back and bust the EIC if they dont catch it. B/S like that. Plus you pay the fine. The company cant pay it for you. There is a fine line between enforcing safty rules (which is good) and creating money making nonsense. Which I think the whole unnessacary stress thing affects safty. But all that aside.... Being away from loved ones is the worst of it.
The FRA can......and does.......place fines on individuals if they are seen breaking a safety rule. These are personal fines, and the company you work for is not responsible to pay them. If you are personally fined, the FRA will then look at what the company has done to train you properly, and if it is not in complience with FRA rules for training, then the company is fined also.
As a Spouse of a Retired ARMY Soldier.. the railroad thus far has been much better for us considering I see him way more than I did in the Army. The hours are actually MUCH better. He hasn't done much with the road work because he likes to work in the yard because he can come home and we cannot complain about the money considering we own a house finally after how many years after being in the army.. Dee
Dee, Welcome to the Train Board!!! Glad to hear from someone with military experience relative to this topic. I've had many career military friends with similar experiences to yours. My cousin was offered the choice of his wife or the Navy. His wife would have been very happy if he had worked for a RR. (He was assigned to ballistic missile submarines for more than eight years during the height of the Cold War...three months out, three months home, three months out.......etc.!)
Dee- Welcome! Maybe some day, you or your husband can tell us about his adventures working for the RR. Seems like everyone knows a few characters, or has some interesting experiences on the job. Boxcab E50
So what's a conductor position like? I've got some buddies who are in and ***** about it. I recently got offered this position and have yet to begin the schooling. Any advise from those of you who are old and new to BNSF. Thanks.
Hi all, How about the life of a dispatcher on online to be one for BNSF in Ft Worth in the next 3-4 years after I get a Batchlors Degree. What is the life of a RR Dispatcher?
================================="life" and any sort of railroad operating job are mutually exclusive. I dont know much about dispatching except for its role and effect on the safe operation of my train. It is a stress job, but one with a lot of power. It is like an air traffic controller but for trains. You have to keep lots of trains from running into each other. You also have to tell crews of any changes to their workload whether they like it or not. You have to make very nebulous guesses sometimes as to how long it will take a given train to traverse between 2 or more points and how long it will take them to perform any work other than moving the train between two points. You better hope that all the computer generated information for the trains is accurate or you will wind up putting a train into a siding too short to accomodate it. Dont laugh! I've had it happen to me. I was running an EB stack train and we had to take the siding for a WB.CRS but I think it was Chana(IL). It was a close meet and the WB reported that he was coming in on an approach indication and asked us if we were in the siding yet. We were right up on the pot governing the east switch. The WB went by by slowly even though he had a clear board he was playing it safe. When he passed our rear end, he reported that we were "just in the clear" Which meant our train was several hundred feet longer than what we had on our list. My best wishes to you on your future career whatever it may be. I am confident that you will do well in college! CT
I start conductor training with BNSF in late March. I will be based out of Spokane and have been told I will most likely be in the Pasco pool. I just spent 4 years in the Marines and got out as a corporal so I know all about working crappy hours in some of the worst conditions imaginable so hopefully that aspect will not be a suprise for me. They were not quite clear on what the starting salary would be and I have heard figures from 35-45G's my frst year, can anyone clairify that? Kevin D Mumaw [ January 16, 2006, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: Kevin D Mumaw ]
I too served in the Marines (Gulf War). I am now serving in the Army - AGR MN National Guard. This career path keeps calling at me...but as I have already stated....the extended time away from here is an issue. Maybe I should contact some of the roads and see what they have to say on the topic.
