Women as Ops

[Mookie]

I am the daughter and granddaughter of RR Engineers (CBQ/BN). This would have been my life's work, except at the time, they didn't hire women. I know they now do hire women for Ops jobs, but does anyone know how this has worked out? Was it just a passing fancy? Are there an increasing number of women wanting to be Conductors or Engineers? Some of the old-timers will remember the very real problems involved in women working on engines.

Any thoughts on this topic - and I won't even ask what the pay is....

[wabash1]

jenny there are female engineers and conductors on the railroads doing the same jobs guys do. ive seen the petite girls replace a knuckle lifting it from the ground and not even moan and then ive seen guys cry that thier backs hurt after they done the same thing. the girls that made it to engineers school are very good engineers. when i was a ground person i would rather work with some of these girls than the guys couse they seem to care more. right now we have hired more girls as conductors and from what i hear they are doing a great job. and they do make the same money to...

[Mookie]

I am glad to hear that they are still around. I know my Dad always thought the women worked hard -maybe because they went into the job because it was something they really wanted as a career. I know I would have busted my buttons, because it was a job I would have loved.

[CShaveRR]

I don't think many women want these jobs because of the physical effort required. I can only think of a couple of women who work operating jobs at Proviso. Both started as brakemen, but one has been an engineer for a long time, and the most recent female new-hire is becoming a fine car retarder operator (I ought to know, as I helped train her!).

If you have a good career elsewhere, don't give it up. But if you want to go railroading and have a bit of working life ahead of you, I'd say go for it!

[Mookie]

unfortunately, it is too late for me to go into railroading - they didn't start hiring women around here until in the 80's and by then, I was already mid-life and felt I couldn't probably do the heavy work involved. But when I was in my 20's I would have loved it. I wish I had my experience now and my life then - I would have done something in railroading.

[sooblue]

Jenny,
Though it's not quite the same, there are some fine 7 1/2" guage rail clubs all over the country.
I have a friend that lets me run his steam engine and It is challenging and most satisfying to be able to start a loaded train and keep on top of the engine all the way from origin to destination.
I've allways wanted to be an engineer myself, but my life doesn't permit it as a job. I can get away with it as a hobbie though.
ps. Since doing it on a small scale I have MUCH greater respect for the people who are behind the controls for real. In 7 1/2" rail roading you don't nail cars and trucks but a 2500 pound engine and 15 flat cars with people on board can make a person go flying 10-15 feet or more.
(they went around a crossing arm)ha ha ha!
very realistic.

[Mookie]

Mike: That's an idea - I may look into that and see if there are any close to Star City Nebraska.
I heard stories from both Grandfather and Dad about watching people drive many miles across flat country to get on the rails at the same time as the train. Make your hair curl!

But even if it wasn't a Big Boy - I would still just love to get a ride in an engine. Even our zoo engine is a thrill!

[dknelson]

Years ago -- this would be late 1970s -- I was railfanning the Santa Fe in Phoenix AZ and the brakeman on the local was a woman. She looked very strong.
I hear female dispatchers on both the UP and the CP.
Dave Nelson

[Mookie]

If memory serves me right, the late 70's early 80's would be when they finally let women work in the ops dept. Before that - they had them in non-ops jobs - dispatchers were fairly common. I think like female firefighters - you would have had to be very strong to do some of the lifting and operations that were necessary.

[Anonymous]

Hi Jenny,sorry you never got to work for a railroad.But if you live near a railroad museum you could volunteer to work at the museum.That way you could work around railroad equipment.The grain elevator I work at has several lady engineers and switchman,they do all right on the job.If anyone wants to work for CSX,I saw a help wanted ad in the June 5 Fort Wayne indiana Journal Gazette for conductors at Garrett Indiana.

[BR60103]

I saw VIA/Amtrack 85 (Toronto-Chicago) this morning and the conductor was a woman.
We've had female trainees on our GO trains, but never saw (heard) one with a regular job -- maybe don't have the seniority for it yet.

And now I hear they're hiring people who wear glasses!
--David

[Anonymous]

Hello Mookie...Since B.N., then the B.N.S.F. started hiring women, it was one mess after another. Few meet the requirements of being able to change, or handle a Knuckle etc. Few could stay awake on the road jobs (though many of the males were'nt much better), but the worst result was that over 90% hired, were paid off through the FELA 'lottery', where they soon discovered that a little Co. injury was worth sometimes a small fortune. I respect your lineage and eagerness, and believe you would be a good example for other women, and all other employees in general...Good Luck...Hommie

[Mookie]

what is the world coming to!

[Mookie]

Good information! I remember it was such a big deal back then, especially with obvious concerns, but then it quieted down and since then I never hear anything or even see them on trains. We have a lot of coal trains thru here and some freight, but always have men on the engines. Even the locals. I hate to hear that some women opted out of the job just because it was a little tougher than most. They should have gone into it like any job. Research it first, make sure it is something you really wanted to do - or don't go into it at all. Money is nice, but the bottom line should be, in my opinion, like your job and enjoy doing it.

[Anonymous]

Jenny,
As long ago as the early 1980's, I was out taking photos of MoPac near Granite City IL and to my surprise a woman brake(person) was on the steps of a MoPac GE unit. When she saw me with camera, she yelled out something about: "I don't want my picture taken." By then it was too late, but in the photo I got (a slide) one can barely tell that anyone is even on the steps much less that it was a woman.
I also have heard through the grapevine that there are some very successful women working as engineers, such as on CP/SOO out of Minnesota, and on the UP. Although I have no way of knowing if we would have any similar interests, you can contact me at "[e-mail]"