While running a train down the tracks,, what can an engineer do and what can't they do? Can they eat, text message, surf the internet, talk on cell phone?
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
Boyd While running a train down the tracks,, what can an engineer do and what can't they do? Can they eat, text message, surf the internet, talk on cell phone?
They might be able to eat. The text messaging, internet surfing and cell phones are a Federal no-no. See attached.
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/PubAffairs/EmergencyOrder26.pdf
they can eat, read, text, surf internet, talk on the phone, wave at people, do puzzels, drink , go to the bath room, listen to music or a nascar race and a few other things.
I'm pretty sure all electronic devices were banned by the FRA - which includes laptops and cell phones. Also, they let the engineer leave his seat to go to the bathroom...while the train is MOVING??
wabash1they can eat, read, text, surf internet, talk on the phone, wave at people, do puzzels, drink , go to the bath room, listen to music or a nascar race and a few other things.
TrainManTy I'm pretty sure all electronic devices were banned by the FRA - which includes laptops and cell phones. Also, they let the engineer leave his seat to go to the bathroom...while the train is MOVING?? wabash1 they can eat, read, text, surf internet, talk on the phone, wave at people, do puzzels, drink , go to the bath room, listen to music or a nascar race and a few other things.
wabash1 they can eat, read, text, surf internet, talk on the phone, wave at people, do puzzels, drink , go to the bath room, listen to music or a nascar race and a few other things.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
TrainManTy I'm pretty sure all electronic devices were banned by the FRA - which includes laptops and cell phones. Also, they let the engineer leave his seat to go to the bathroom...while the train is MOVING??
"...leave his seat to go to the bathroom ... while the train is MOVING??"
That's doubtful.
Even if the conductor is a "demoted employee," which is to say he or she is a qualified engineer on the district but temporarily cannot exercise engineer seniority due to a downturn in business, I should think that most carriers would still want two sets of eyes and ears looking ahead while the train is moving.
As for cell phones and laptops, some carriers will allow possession of these devices, but they better be switched off and stowed away while the train is moving. Some carriers have allowed the limited use of cell phones, but only as a backup communications device such as with radio failures or out-of-radio-range circumstances. But I don't know if subsequent edicts from the F.R.A. may have banned even that.
Bob-FrymlTrainManTy I'm pretty sure all electronic devices were banned by the FRA - which includes laptops and cell phones. Also, they let the engineer leave his seat to go to the bathroom...while the train is MOVING?? "...leave his seat to go to the bathroom ... while the train is MOVING??" That's doubtful. Even if the conductor is a "demoted employee," which is to say he or she is a qualified engineer on the district but temporarily cannot exercise engineer seniority due to a downturn in business, I should think that most carriers would still want two sets of eyes and ears looking ahead while the train is moving. As for cell phones and laptops, some carriers will allow possession of these devices, but they better be switched off and stowed away while the train is moving. Some carriers have allowed the limited use of cell phones, but only as a backup communications device such as with radio failures or out-of-radio-range circumstances. But I don't know if subsequent edicts from the F.R.A. may have banned even that.
To Zug:
One question. Can you multi-task like Wabash1?
From his comment he seems to be ambidexterous.
samfp1943To Zug: One question. Can you multi-task like Wabash1? From his comment he seems to be ambidexterous.
They can even sleep!
I bet an engineer can eat, go to the bathroom, read a magazine, call his local union rep, wave, AND get a thread locked on trains.com, all in one day!
I am once again utterly perplexed by some of the answers to what seems a reasonable question, particularly that offered by wabash1. In a sense, yes, an engineer CAN do all those things. He CAN jump off at 55 m.p.h. He CAN thrust his finger toward the trainmaster should he be seen along the right-of-way. He CAN do anthing within his physical and mental capabilities, but I thought the question was asked what could the engineer lawfully or judiciously do when operating a locomotive in train service. How do nonsensical answers serve any need?
And I am utterly perplexed on why you fail to understand (or have a problem with) a little railroader humor. If you just want cut and dry lame answers, fine here they are:
Can they eat, YES (unless conditions exist where eating will prevent them from the safe executions of their duties)
text message, NO
surf the internet, NO
talk on cell phone? NO
Happy?
I don't even know why I bother to post on here at times. I'm serious. A lot of people sucking the fun out of this place lately.
Perhaps the distinction between the two words, "may" and "can" is not clear to some people. Wabash seems to know the difference between the two. What you can do and what you may do may well be two entirely different things, and and I believe that the questions would have been phrased, "What may engineers do?"
Go, Wabash!
Johnny
TrainManTyAlso, they let the engineer leave his seat to go to the bathroom...while the train is MOVING??
When are you doing another one of your stories Zug?
Dan
Sorry I got a little silly.
The rule is that when they need to use the restroom they have to stop the train.
What a load of crap!
.
In case it is still unsettling the way some people, including myself, have injected a little levity, what may seem like sarcasm, or whatever, I think it is just poking fun at the question as originally phrased. We all know what is being asked, but the construction of the question for those answering facetiously can be answered as they have done because all doctors, cab drivers, engineers, and cinema operators can do what the rest of humanity does.
Had the question been 'tighter', as in, "When their train is in motion, what are engineers allowed to do, or what are they prohibited from doing? For example, what if they have an urgent need to use the bathroom? Can they use a cell phone under any circumstances?"
But, as it was posted, it leaves a little room for some fun which, these days, the forum could use. I don't think anyone was intending to offend anyone else.
My
-Crandell
You may have rules, time table and general orders on an electronic device (laptop etc). If it has wireless capability, that must be disabled when using on a moving train.
I prefer paper. I just know the moment I really needed to look something up, my batteries would go dead.
Jeff
jeffhergertYou may have rules, time table and general orders on an electronic device (laptop etc). If it has wireless capability, that must be disabled when using on a moving train. I prefer paper. I just know the moment I really needed to look something up, my batteries would go dead. Jeff
rji2 I am once again utterly perplexed by some of the answers to what seems a reasonable question, particularly that offered by wabash1. In a sense, yes, an engineer CAN do all those things. He CAN jump off at 55 m.p.h. He CAN thrust his finger toward the trainmaster should he be seen along the right-of-way. He CAN do anthing within his physical and mental capabilities, but I thought the question was asked what could the engineer lawfully or judiciously do when operating a locomotive in train service. How do nonsensical answers serve any need?
No NO NO jumping off a train at 55 mph is against the rules you haft to be doing 56+ mph or 54 and less to jump 55 is not allowed, and thrusting a finger towrd a train master seen on the right of way is wrong also, ( at least to me ) I want them in front of me so there is no confusion who it is ment for. And Nonsensical What you do go thru the dictionary looking for words to use on here?
Do yo go to the bathroom when you want? why cant I? Yes I go when ready and I dont haft to raise my hand for permission either.
Its hard to believe but some people have acused me of not using all my fingers when waving, I told the train master its so cold i was just keeping the others warm no use in letting them all freeze at once.
zugmann I bet an engineer can eat, go to the bathroom, read a magazine, call his local union rep, wave, AND get a thread locked on trains.com, all in one day!
BigJim The rule is that when they need to use the restroom they have to stop the train. What a load of crap!
AMEN!!!!
wabash1Its hard to believe but some people have acused me of not using all my fingers when waving, I told the train master its so cold i was just keeping the others warm no use in letting them all freeze at once. zugmann I bet an engineer can eat, go to the bathroom, read a magazine, call his local union rep, wave, AND get a thread locked on trains.com, all in one day!
I thought you were telling me that I was the # 1 conductor, wabash!
zugmannI don't even know why I bother to post on here at times. I'm serious. A lot of people sucking the fun out of this place lately.
No fun. Makes forum even more tedious. Those are fun vampires----
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Deggesty Perhaps the distinction between the two words, "may" and "can" is not clear to some people. Wabash seems to know the difference between the two. What you can do and what you may do may well be two entirely different things, and and I believe that the questions would have been phrased, "What may engineers do?" Go, Wabash! Johnny
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I cant even tell you the amount of times I have had an engineer ask me to keep an eye on the Alerter or sound the horn while they either step down to lhe restroom or out the back door , You folks just keep forgeting that there are two countum two people in that cab and I have the same concerns as that Hogger. and the same restrictions. as far as use of electronic devices are concerned.. They only have to worry about the power , I have to worry about the train coupled to the power , When will you realize that that hogger isnt God and that the conductor isnt going just for the rideThen you will understand that I get a little hot under the collar about "just the Hogger" Larry
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