CSX Locomotive crew

[AntonioFP45]

Went to my school system's Furniture Repair division to pick up some classroom chairs for my students. This old building sits about 20 feet from the CSX line that heads towards North Tampa.

I heard a locomotive horn blowing that definetly was not a K5LA or K5H, typical CSX.

As I go to the large open doorway, a trio of locomotives:
Union Pacific SD40-2 (#3188, I think), a Union Pacific six axle Dash 9, and a CSX SD40-2 cruise by at about 2 miles an hour and stop. They were going to back up on the wye on the former ACL. The engineer, young red-haired 30-something, gave me a smile and friendly wave. The conductor about 50-something was standing on the CSX SD40-2's rear platform. He reponded to my hello with a friendly "Hello" and a smile. I hollered "That's a lot of horsepower you guys have got there!" He smiled and sighed" Yeah, but this engine is just not working too good anymore!" Apparently commenting on the CSX SD40-2.

The UP and CSX units were in DESPERATE NEED of a paint job.

I thought I'd comment on this as based on what I've read on the CSX sucks website I was saddened and felt bad that CSX employees go through so much unnecessary hassles from their bosses. I had gotten the impression that the days of CSX crews waving at you were history as their work environment is not as friendly as it was on the former Seaboard Coast Line. Railfan shutterbugs being invited into locomotive cabs was IMHO common here in Florda, but that was then.

Good to see that these hardworking guys still showed friendliness.

To: CSXengineer and any Railroad employees. Do you all experience enjoyable moments on the job as well or is it a constant "looking over shoulder" atmosphere?

I can sympathize as I had to constantly "look over my shoulder" for about 5 years out of the 15 that I worked in the transit company. (Have to honest though, my "shooting off my mouth" contributed to "some" of my problems) Fortunately several of the unfriendly bosses were canned or transferred.

Peace!

[Anonymous]

Antonio,

In my limited experience I have had many good times on the RR. I admit that I always do work as though I'm being watched because it just makes me do my job better. Why draw attention to myself, might as well just go with the flow even as much as I don't like it sometimes. There are a lot of engineers that I enjoy working with. A lot of stories are exchanged, we share our thoughts on how some of the company's policies infuriate us, etc. My attitude at work is to make it fun so the time passes quicker, why be a miserble jerk?? There are a few grinches in our midst, but I'd say that most everyone I work with can be pleasant to work with.

[oskar]

I think that the CSX and all railroads enginners are all nice they all wave to me where ever I am unless they don't see me are I am writing on my ''PAD'' when ever I go inside a cab of a locomotive they are all friendly I don't know if they do that because I am still a kid .




kevin

[Junctionfan]

When I was at Fostoria on the weekend, tons of crews waved to me (or was that the finger) just kidding. Even the CSX police said hello.

I think most people in general working for the railroad, like us railfans as long as we don't interfere negatively with their job.

[csxengineer98]

i genraly wave to anyone that is waveing at me.... espicaly kids and good looking women!!!!...
csx engineer

[JoeKoh]

Matt and I usually get alot of waves when we trainwatch.
stay safe
Joe

[jeaton]

Being at least 30-40 miles away from any good train watching sites, I don't get out that often now, but I've usually gotten a wave from the engine crew.

Jay

[AntonioFP45]

Hey Guys,

Thanks, but to the railroaders on here particularly the CSX and UP guys. Have things cooled down any as far as the atmosphere or is it still the "watch it as they're ready to write you up or fire you" atmosphere.

By the time I turn 50, I'll qualify to retire from my school system. I've been thinking about a rail career in freight car or locomotive maintanance as far as body repair & refinishing, welding, and sheet metal crafts. [8D]

As with any transportation company though, the professionals that are physically involved in the actual moving (engineers, pilots, drivers, etc) usually are very good sources of info as to what it's like to work for a particular company. If the movers of the vechicles have it rough, more than likely so will the shop forces that maintain the vechicles.

As I said before the CSX-sucks website was a real eye opening dose of reality for me. Some of the types of problems listed sounded very familiar to me! It's funny, even with some of the abuses I underwent, I'm always drawn to trasnportation with rail being my favorite.

10-4!

[BaltACD]

Railroaders are similar to soldiers in a significant respect.

They aren't happy if they aren't B!tching

and just like soldiers they are masters of it, witness the CSX Sucks site.

That being said, most fully enjoy what they do. You can't remain on railroad jobs with deriving a sense of fulfillment in what you are doing.

As for officials being on the back of Train and Engine employees...If the last two days occurences on a CSX territory are any indication they need to be even more on their backs......Two RED Signal violations....one resulting in 5 cars derailed when a crew that was stopped at a red signal pulled ahead when the signal was lined for a train on an adjacent track - running through the power crossover and then, once they realised the error of their ways compounded their mistake by shoving back without permession and deariled 5 cars on the run-through crossovers. The second RED Signal violation occured when a train ran through the RED Signal and ran into the side of an opposing train that was opeating through crossovers derailing two engines and four cars. The third incident was a crew operating through the 10 MPH repaired track from the second incident at 28 MPH in full view of all the track personnel that were on scene working to upgrade the slow order. The fourth incident was a crew member failing a random drug test upon reporing for duty. Four major incidents in less than 48 hours. Officials don't retain their positions when this form of stupidity continues to occur on their watch.

[AntonioFP45]

BaltACD,

Man! That's a shocker, especially for me since I use Amtrak.

There's no excuse for these types of violations but one has to wonder if on the Red Signals violations, could crew fatigue have been a factor?

From what CSXEngineer98 said a while back, many engineers and conductors report for duty just 8 hours after they got off their last run. By the time they eat and get to bed, they might wind up with 4 to 5 hours of sleep. I drove charter buses part time, and I can tell you fatigue is scary and causes frustration and effects judgment. [B)]

This is not excusing the crews above, but having experienced fatigue myself while operating a bus, I know that "stupid mistakes" can be easily committed when the human brain is in "semi-shutdown" mode. [|)][|)][|)][|)][|)]

The guy that failed the drug test? If he wasn't on a doctor's medication, then IMHO he has no business being on the rails!! [V] Even after 17 years the COLLISION AT GUNPOW (Amtrak vs. Conrail---16 killed) should still be fresh in the minds of all transportation workers.[B)][B)]

I don't know how CSX does it, but at most transporation companies an employee that fails the drug test is suspended for 2 to 3 months and must undergo a 90 day rehab. If successful, the employee is restored to his/her position.

[Anonymous]

It's interesting, lately when the CP crews have been going by in the AC4400s with the tinted windows you can't even see in anymore to see if they are waving or not.....

They don't even seem to open their windows much anymore in the newer locomotives.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by macguy

It's interesting, lately when the CP crews have been going by in the AC4400s with the tinted windows you can't even see in anymore to see if they are waving or not.....

They don't even seem to open their windows much anymore in the newer locomotives.

thats becouse of AC.... when you got an air condistioned equiped unit...you use it....
csx engineer

[BaltACD]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

BaltACD,

Man! That's a shocker, especially for me since I use Amtrak.

There's no excuse for these types of violations but one has to wonder if on the Red Signals violations, could crew fatigue have been a factor?

The guy that failed the drug test? If he wasn't on a doctor's medication, then IMHO he has no business being on the rails!! [V] Even after 17 years the COLLISION AT GUNPOW (Amtrak vs. Conrail---16 killed) should still be fresh in the minds of all transportation workers.[B)][B)]

I don't know how CSX does it, but at most transporation companies an employee that fails the drug test is suspended for 2 to 3 months and must undergo a 90 day rehab. If successful, the employee is restored to his/her position.

Fatigue should not have been an issue in either of the Red Signal Incidents....In the first case the crew had been on duty about 6 hours after having had about 15 hours off duty at the away from home terminal. In the second incident the crew had been on duty about 5 hours and is a Assigned Crew, that has a designated calling time for each trip although in this instance the calling time had been defered about 3 hours account late operation of the Assigned Train, the had been off for a complete day or more.

The Drug test failure will be handled through the normal disciplinary channel and the employees prior record may have some effects upon the discipline that is finally assessed.

Yesterday, a local crew sideswiped one of their own engines with the other as they were switching the positions of the engines in their engine consist.

DUMB DUMB DUMB

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Yesterday, a local crew sideswiped one of their own engines with the other as they were switching the positions of the engines in their engine consist.

DUMB DUMB DUMB

No argument there! Down right frightening. Glad no one was standing near the points of contact! CRUNCH!

[Anonymous]

Most D&A policies require the employee to be fired for a period of not less than 9 months. If the employee attends rehab the railroad can consider rehiring him after the 9 month suspension.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rgemd

Most D&A policies require the employee to be fired for a period of not less than 9 months. If the employee attends rehab the railroad can consider rehiring him after the 9 month suspension.

Wow! That is even tougher than a lot of transit companies.

I'm guessing though that this policy is based on past abuses that were occuring in the industry. Just as in the airline, shipping, and trucking industries there were many that "Did it" but weren't caught. Or in some cases, the boss or co-workers might look the other way and even cover for the guy that was impaired by alchohol or weed.

However, after rehab are employees actually hired back? If the road can "consider" rehiring the person that can sound like a potential "NO".