zugmannMy $25 carhartt bag (no longer made) is holding up just fine.
I'm using a tool bag from Harbor Freight. I was using one of their aluminum cases, but it wasn't up to the task.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
zugmann kenny dorham . Engineers are not heroes... You would not even know one to see one.....just some guy in regular clothes. Well that hurt.
kenny dorham . Engineers are not heroes... You would not even know one to see one.....just some guy in regular clothes.
Well that hurt.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
tree68I'm using a tool bag from Harbor Freight. I was using one of their aluminum cases, but it wasn't up to the task.
Bunch of people use those. All same results. Still a few of the old-time boxes floating around (I think some RRer used to make them back in the stone ages). Most of those are on their second owners.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
MidlandMike It seems engineers (maybe its conductors) wear regular working clothes but carry brief cases.
It seems engineers (maybe its conductors) wear regular working clothes but carry brief cases.
Saw a CSX train pulling into Utica one day to make an interchange pickup. It appeared the engineer was wearing a golf shirt and a "gimme" cap. You wouldn't have known him from anyone else walking down the street...
The conductor was, I'm sure, properly dressed for the frigid outside air he was about to enter...
zugmann MidlandMike It seems engineers (maybe its conductors) wear regular working clothes but carry brief cases. Do I have to buy a briefcase?
Do I have to buy a briefcase?
I use the term losely to mean any container to hold papers and printed material. I have heard the term "grip", but I thought that was a small bag to hold a change of clothes for a lay-over.
A railroader's "grip" is a briefcase and then some, containing not only paperwork and extra clothing but also one's PPE, lantern, radio, and anything else needed at work.
The grip may consist of more than one bag or case depending on one's individual choice, and a lunchbag is usually carried in addition to this, although it may fit in the main bag (the expensive Red Oxx bags are often able to carry everything).
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
MidlandMikeI use the term losely to mean any container to hold papers and printed material. I have heard the term "grip", but I thought that was a small bag to hold a change of clothes for a lay-over.
I'm lucky - I don't do layovers anymore. I have one bag that carries my paperwork and railroad crap. working yard jobs locals when I run means I don't have to carry as much. I also take a lunchbox, but it's not a good idea to take more food than you need. Eating out of boredom is bad for the scales.
zugmannI'm lucky - I don't do layovers anymore.
I kinda do, but it's at our bases - so I can leave all that stuff in my truck.
I'm lucky that virtually all of the paperwork I need fits in one binder. Throw in some PPE and a lantern and I'm pretty much done.
I've seen folks with rather large grips - and it's all rulebooks and the like.
I live near Fullerton, Ca., and the tracks there are very busy with around 80 trains a day, both passenger (2- Metrolink commuter, and Amtrak) and BNSF freight. On any given weekend day or evening, you can find at least a half dozen kids there, and most are more informed than I am, with their ability to determine which locomotive i which, based on what they can see. Many either photo them, or shot movies, since both can use solid state media, and be reused.
I don't think it matters if the kids like what you like. Every one of us has different models, roads, eras, etc that are interesting to us.
I know the younger fans in my area (HS and college) are very active. They chase everything out there. For them old engines are warbonnets and Heritage 1 paint jobs. They have connections us older fans don't use on social media. These kids are putting out the heads up notifications when heritage units or special trains come through. They are researching history that they feel is pertinent to them and their likes, just like we all do. They are moderators on our local social media platforms.
They bring technology and new aspects to the hobby. These kids are safe, use the technology to watch the ATC programs. I always enjoy spending time trackside with these kids.
As far as the model hobby, I'm seeing the same kids involved in some of the local clubs. Always have lots of younger fans at the train shows in the area.
I see no reason to disparage this new generation as they are doing things sometimes differently than us, but enjoying the hobby nonetheless.
There are many young railfans on Facebook, which did pleasantly surprise me when I got involved on there. I thought maybe it was a thing of the past for them, but not at all. A few of them in their 20's have been hired by NS or BNSF as conductors which has been a dream of theirs. And one just started working for Amtrak as conductor. They know differences in diesel engines which I do not, when I post a picture, they will identify it right away. Most of them are into photography too and ride excursions as car hosts. They may not have the opportunity that older generations had being able to get around railyards and not be called trespassers. Dad had freedom to roam around Frisco yard where he worked and I'd be with him, so I never had to try and get to know people so I could visit. Many did from what I've heard but that's not easily happening today. But those who are working for railroads have to be more careful about letting their employer know how much they love trains, can be a bad idea as people will think they won't be concentrating on their work. One even changed his name on FB for that reason. Not like the old days, one guy who's retired BNSF engineer, started with the Q, took many pics from the cab when he was working, getting shots that most people were not able to do.
Sunnyland But those who are working for railroads have to be more careful about letting their employer know how much they love trains, can be a bad idea as people will think they won't be concentrating on their work. One even changed his name on FB for that reason. Not like the old days, one guy who's retired BNSF engineer, started with the Q, took many pics from the cab when he was working, getting shots that most people were not able to do.
But those who are working for railroads have to be more careful about letting their employer know how much they love trains, can be a bad idea as people will think they won't be concentrating on their work. One even changed his name on FB for that reason. Not like the old days, one guy who's retired BNSF engineer, started with the Q, took many pics from the cab when he was working, getting shots that most people were not able to do.
A few bad "foamers" have given the rest of us a bad name, just like with so many other groups.
CN allows us to carry cameras at work, and I am hearing from new hires that some of our rule instructors are actively encouraging that practice. At any rate the company calendar is always full of shots that were obviously taken while the photographer was at work (our calendar photos are always selected from shots submitted by employees), and management has always looked the other way with regard to those.
CShaveRR It turns out that I have Asperger's Syndrome, and interests in things like trains and numbers often go hand in hand with that (notice that I mentioned "in the distance"...Asperger's patients often have to overcome a dread of loud noises). It's not a disease, and nothing to be scorned or pitied--it's just a big part of how I'm constructed.
It turns out that I have Asperger's Syndrome, and interests in things like trains and numbers often go hand in hand with that (notice that I mentioned "in the distance"...Asperger's patients often have to overcome a dread of loud noises). It's not a disease, and nothing to be scorned or pitied--it's just a big part of how I'm constructed.
This is me too. I also have Aspergers and can relate strongly to this whole paragraph. Especially the loud noises bit. (I still hate getting honked at unexpectedly when I'm railfanning). It's also why I struggled with social interactions for so long. I also believe there's definitely a connection between AS and being a railfan. Not saying we all have it, but I'm sure many do.
Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.
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