New member!!!!! TIPS...TIPS..and more TIPS!!!

[iGoDwnTwn]

Greetings People,

My first post on this forum. I start with BNSF in 2 weeks...training in Aurora. Very excited and well aware of what I'm giving up and getting into. Been a fan of railroads since I got that first HO scale FL9 with the read warbonnett!!. I'm an adult now and still play with trains ( Auran Trainz Simulator ) on my home computer. Any extra tips or advise? I would love to network with other BNSF folks...it makes the RR that much more interesting.

IGoDwnTwn

[Anonymous]

Good luck in training. Catch up with the many threads on the board about getting started working on the RR. Feel free to ask questions of the many knowledgable RR folks here on the board...

LC

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iGoDwnTwn


Greetings People,

My first post on this forum. I start with BNSF in 2 weeks...training in Aurora. Very excited and well aware of what I'm giving up and getting into. Been a fan of railroads since I got that first HO scale FL9 with the read warbonnett!!. I'm an adult now and still play with trains ( Auran Trainz Simulator ) on my home computer. Any extra tips or advise? I would love to network with other BNSF folks...it makes the RR that much more interesting.

IGoDwnTwn

yes...i have a few
first off..railroading for real is NOT like any kind of computer simulator!!!! so forget anything and eveything you think you know from the simulator.......also...when you start training...FORGET EVEYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT RAILROADING.....what you think you know how things are and how things are are alot of times totoly opposit....go into the job with an open mind and never say..."oh i know that already" that is one of the fastest ways to get blackballed by some old heads....ask alot of questions... dont do anything that isnt safe.... get involved in the job... get as much hands on as you can... for the first few days...just follow the person around and see how they do things... and after that...start to get involved... the only way to learn this job is to do it..not standing behind someone watching them do it.... always always check the switchpoints..not the targets...targets can and do lie sometimes...the points never will...........if you should run through a switch...DO NOT BACK UP...backing up will derail you for sure....study study study...study your time table..study ther rule book ..study your divistions specail instructions... do this anytime your not working and you have some time after you wake up befor your next call or scheduled start time...take notes...learn the road..learn where the absolut signals are...learn where the defect detectors are..and what kind they are..not all DDs are both hotbox and dragging equipment...some are 1 or the other....listen to what people tell you... and when your out on your own...never do anything that your not sure about...if you dont know something..stop and ask... ask the yard master..ask the engineer...and even ask the trainmaster...they wont fire you for asking questions...they will fire you if you do something that you dont know what your doing and you derail...take your time...never get in a rush..no matter how many people might be breathing down your neck...better to take it slow and get the job done right..then to rush and screw up...they will fire you for that too....
if you do the few steps here..you will become a good railroader...it will seem overwelming at first...it is alot to learn in a shot time..but if you ask questions..take notes..and study how the job is done and what to do... you will be fine..and one day...you will wake up and all the information will just click...it will start to fall into place and make sence..when this happens..your on your way to being a real railroader....
good luck..and stay safe
and welcome to the disfunctonal family we like to call...the railroaders....
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

csx_eng makes a lot of good points. I'll add a few.

1. Stand well back from switching moves especially when you are throwing switches. Trains tend to derail at switches. Stand back far enough so if that train topples you won't be under it. This means at least 30' to 40' back.

2. Know your signals. All of them.

3. Know where you are at all times. Know all the landmarks. Don't be afraid to ask.

4. Read your timetable. Read it again. Keep on until you know your mileposts.

5. Know where your radio bases are located and codes (clicks or tones) you need to use them.

6. Know your operating rules. Read them again. Read them some more. Pay attention in class.

7. Pay attention during your hands on training particularly to how to get on and off moving equipment properly.

8. Learn how to operate all sorts of equipment such as EOTDs, radios, etc. Learn anything different about the different types.

9. Watch your slack carefully.

10. ALWAYS, ALWAYS have 3 step (red zone) protection from your engineer before stepping in.

11. Give yourself as much room as possible to make moves.

12. Remember loaded tank cars (especially propane) slosh and it takes a lot longer for the slack to run out.

13. Always look for derails and make sure they are lined for your movement.

14. Always check switch points to make sure they are debris free before throwing a switch.

I'll reflect some more as there are many others, but those are what comes to mind right now.

LC

[iGoDwnTwn]

Thanks CSX and Limited!!!

I'm gonna Copy and Paste your tips. THey certainly will be helpful.

DO all the instructors teach a certain way according to government rules? Or is it up to the instruct on how to teach the class?..

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Oh, yeah, a couple more.

15. Always have your train paperwork in good order. Always know where in your train all hazmat cars are located and keep track of their changed position on your trainsheet after each switching stop. Make sure you always have enough buffer cars between the locomotive and any hazmat cars.

16. Know your hazmat rules and keep your DOT book in your grip.

17. Always be aware of your surroundings and watch for anything out of the ordinary.

18 Be careful when flagging crossings. That flag and fusee won't stop that 2 ton automobile.

19. Always stand in a safe place when performain rollby inspections of other trains. You never know what may come flying at you.

20. When you are on the ground in multi-track territory always be aware that another train may approach at any time.

21. Watch out for the others on your crew.

22. Watch out for transients on and off trains. Report them if you deem it necessary. Don't feel guilty about reporting them. They don't belong there and could hurt you or cause a derailment. Also, if one of them is hurt or killed on your train at best you will be held up for hours and at worst you will have long legal proceedings to deal with.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iGoDwnTwn


Thanks CSX and Limited!!!

I'm gonna Copy and Paste your tips. THey certainly will be helpful.

DO all the instructors teach a certain way according to government rules? Or is it up to the instruct on how to teach the class?..

Thanks

Much of the operating rules and the hazmat rules are federal regulations. Practical learning will be a combination of federal regulations, company rules and the proper way to comply with the rules and perform your work.

LC

[csxengineer98]

to add to LC's things...
if your going to work where its cold...get a set of warm winter clothing... outdoors like gander mountian have stuff that hunters and other types of outdoors sportsmen ware to stay warm in winter months.... this is almost as esental in yard service as your radio is becouse you are out in it untill your shift or work is done... you might be able to take breaks to warm up..but at some point your going to be out working in it agin....might want to think about get some good rain gear too..but the problem with rain gear is that it donst last too long in this line of work..climing up and down cars can destory rain gear farly quick....
so if you do what LC and myself say..you will do fine... always always stop and ask if you dont know how to do something..or even if your not 100% on something...i cant stress that enough....on the railroad...when they do fire..they fire in sets of 2...most of the time if you screw up..you take your engineer with you... and visa versa....
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

Stay Alert! Be Alert for anything!