Well today was my first day of training for conductor (train service) in Spokane, all I can say is WOW, I guess I really do not know that much about how railroads are run. The first day was alot of paperwork, a couple of videos including a musical about BNSF's history, and the classic sexual harassment video. We also covered some saftey rules and GCOR rules and learned some hand signals. All in all I can see this is going to be a very busy 16 weeks. Kevin D Mumaw
Congrats on starting the job. My first day is next Monday in Sioux City, IA., as Conductor. I'm looking forward to it. It should be fun and lots of hard work. Eric [ March 28, 2006, 07:29 AM: Message edited by: Kodiak67 ]
Break a leg! both of you! I'm sure you will both do well. If you have a question or need a "heads-up" , I am as close as e-mail Charlie (retired BNSF conductor & engineer)
Congarts to both of you, and welcome to BNSF. The 16 weeks is hard but the trainers want you to pass and will do what they can to help you out. (within reason). I hired out as a conductor in July 05 so the class room is still fairly fresh in my mind, if you have a questions feel free to ask. Adam
Congrats to both of you ! I will be watching this thread VERY CLOSELY to see what I'm getting into (hopefully). Wouldn't want waste $6000
I will post when I do something differant or interesting, today was just like yesterday but tommorow we get to take a tour of the yard and latter this week we get to start switching cars. Kevin
If you run across a guy named Kevin Hubber on the extra board, tell him Marcus said hi! He hired out with me march of 05 at UnionPacific in Arkansas. His brother is a conductor at BNSF. He hired on BNSF later to get closer to his family. By the way, do you guys mark up at 80% or 100% pay there?
Well this week is pretty boring, lots of class work and the instructor is very "by the book" so it makes for a long day. Last thursday friday and saturday we did get some intro to switching and used some hand signals and rode frieght cars and GP39E 2741around in the day and night time. Kevin D Mumaw
Glad to hear your instructor is "by the book." Those tons of steel you'll be working with are quite unforgiving of any mistakes. We need a healthy correspondent! Boxcab E50
Just want know, have you or anyone else read the GCOR rules BEFORE you started class or has it been a big shock to you about how much you have to read ? I'm currently reading the air brakes and handling rules Just hope my advanced reading of the rules will help me out
Is that anything like my dreaming of running my N scale trains thru the Tunnel District of the Moffat Route?
Wow, I am really glad last week is over, they shoved alot of info down our throghts but thanks to alot of studying I was one of only 2 (of 11) to get above 90% on the test yesterday. If I had the chance to study before I began training I would work on the GCOR, and System Special Instructions. We also did a big thing on Haz Mat but it was pretty self explanitory and the test was open book. Next week we start 5 weeks of working in the yards and some locals, that I am looking forward to. Kevin D Mumaw
Keep up with the reports. Its always interesting for those of us not in the industry to learn more about it. I think it helps make us better modelers and appreciate what goes into all of it.
