Trains.com

Trainee Conductor physical

2971 views
13 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Trainee Conductor physical
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 10:08 PM
What is acceptable for the colorblind test, is it pass/fail? I have a slight red/green deficiency. Do you know the cutoff level?

Thanks,

Gary.
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Abbotsford BC Canada
  • 300 posts
Posted by athelney on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 10:42 PM
I know back in the UK - it's pass or fail - I tried to get on years ago and was advised to find another area of employment Air Traffic Contoller maybe !!!!!!! -- I ended up working in the computer room tracing box car movements - no colours there > Not sure about the US - but if safety is involved I'm sure they are going to be strict. -- good luck
2860 Restoration Crew
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: roundhouse
  • 2,747 posts
Posted by Randy Stahl on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 10:49 PM
Can you tell a red signal from an amber signal from a green signal from a lunar signal?
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 12:08 AM
it is pass or fail....
csx engineer
"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 12:08 AM
Yeah, I too was labeled colorblind and neersighted too. But I'm sure it's a ploy to get you hooked on a prescription eyeglass and keep you coming back. I'm not sure why I get 'soluted' at every stop-light and why I hear horns all the time?
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 6:11 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by toyomantrains

Yeah, I too was labeled colorblind and neersighted too. But I'm sure it's a ploy to get you hooked on a prescription eyeglass and keep you coming back. I'm not sure why I get 'soluted' at every stop-light and why I hear horns all the time?
You are just put together funny, but we like you anyway!

Mook

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 286 posts
Posted by dekemd on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 11:33 AM
Gary,

It is pass/fail. Unfortunately, both CSX and NS use the Ishihara color test. That's the one where you see or don't see the numbers in the colored dots. The problem with this test is that all it can tell you is if your color vision is perfect or not. If it's perfect you see the numbers. If you have even the slightest deficiency you will not see the numbers and fail the tests. It doesnt matter that you can sit there and point out red and green items all day long, even identify signals. If you don't see the numbers in the circles you're out. There used to be a paper on the internet from the American Ophthalmological Association that said that the Ishihara test was not a good test for railroad or airline workers and tells why. I'm sure with a little searching you should be able to find it.

Derrick
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • 6,434 posts
Posted by FJ and G on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 12:36 PM
I think some of the conductors should take a tread mill test. I don't know how they can lug all that weight around when they have to "walk the train."

dave vergun
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 1:51 PM
Unfortunately, like many have already said, the colorblind test is pass or fail. I was in a interview session for AMDG and there were 15 of us before any testing started. We lost about 3 people to the colorblindness test. Those that failed were asked to leave the room if the guessed any wrong #'s. To be honest my color vision is good and I still have to look hard to see those numbers.

And yes FJ and G, many RR's are quite chubby, it has to do with the road lifestyle of living in hotels. I combat this by bringing a massive cooler with my own sandwiches, fruit, nuts, prunes, etc. Some of the guys laugh at me, but we'll see who will be laughing when I have gained no weight and they have put on 50 lbs. [(-D]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 5:16 PM
I know those stupid tests that you guys are talking about, I took one a long time ago for some reason..

I saw the whole number, I think it was an 8, but I could see how it was a 3 as well with the different colors.... It was a little strange but I remember telling the guy that I saw an 8 and I ened up passing.

It seemed rather touch and go, because the color looked more like a 3 than an 8, it was just connected up with those funny dots to make the 8....

It had me confused anyway.....it didn't seem very official.
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: west central Illinois
  • 417 posts
Posted by Rodney Beck on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 10:07 AM
Hi my name is Rodney the only time that I had to take the vision test was for hostler & rco training here on the BNSF. Rodney Beck conductor BNSF
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Greater Seattle area
  • 10 posts
Posted by Puquak on Sunday, June 20, 2004 1:27 PM
Mental note...look for an 8 when I see a 3, check. ;)
Enjoying the rails of the Evergreen State. (except the UP Big Smile )
  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 20,096 posts
Posted by daveklepper on Sunday, June 20, 2004 2:23 PM
Good l;uck and hope you will pass!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 20, 2004 4:24 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Puquak

Mental note...look for an 8 when I see a 3, check. ;)


[:D]

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy