Train Crew Start Of Shift Location(s)

[coopers]

Quick question for everyone...and if you work for Genessee and Wyoming RR (PSAP even better) please DM me or reply  here. I'm moving our family back to WA State (where we're from) because the state I'm currently in has turned out to be a dud on starting a second career and all our family and friends are back in WA State. I'm interested in applying for conductor position for PSAP in southern WA and I'm curious how it works for crews working on a smaller shortline as far as starting shift locations. 

Please correct me if I'm wrong but from what I understand, crews respond to a terminal and then get ferried out to whatever location their train is at? For a smaller shortline is this still true? The conductor position says Centralia so I'm assuming that's the terminal one would go to regardless of where you live? The PSAP line goes north into Bremerton and I'm guessing if I were living up there I'd still have to drive down to Centralia (1.5 hrs away) and then I'd get sent where ever even if it's back up to Bremerton to work industries up there? I'm also assuming that this might be the only terminal for PSAP but I honestly don't know and I can't find any info on it (so this question may be completely uneccesary if I had more info). Anyone that knows the line better than me please let me know. I'm asking becuase we're looking into homes all over in southern WA and up to Bremerton and I'm just curious what it could look like for me commute wise etc.

Full disclosure, I'm very aware that RRing is not family friendly but for various reasons this is a profession I am going to consider (I'm retired law enforcement so no family friendly schedules is nothing new to us). 

 

Thanks for any insight. 

[tree68]

Unless PSAP has a resident local in Bremerton, I'd opine that Centralia is the answer.

You may have already looked here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puget_Sound_and_Pacific_Railroad

 

[coopers]

Thank you.

[jeffhergert]

Short line railroading is going to be more family friendly than class one railroading.  Most avoid putting up crews in motels.  Rather they will work turns out of multiple locations, crews exchanging cars and trains at some mid-point and returning to their starting location.  If they do have a train, such as a unit (loaded or empty) unit train, that runs to the other end they may deadhead to/from a home point.

I don't know PS&P's operating scheme.  They may have more than one on duty point.  They may only list jobs through their operating HQ location.  Also being a new employee, your choices for work location may be limited even if they don't have seniority based assignments.  Expect the worst and be presently surprised if it should work out more advantageously for you.

Good luck.

Jeff

PS.  Have you considered trying the UP in Iowa?  (Unless the dud state you refer to is Iowa.)  $50000.00 sign on bonus if you currently are more than 300 miles away.  (Only $40000.00 if less than 300 miles.)  UP conditions are less family friendly, overnight travel is more likely out of most terminals.

Other places on the UP are also offering similar bonuses.  With UP locations, the city listed may not be where you will work at in the beginning.  UP has seniority districts, but lists openings by terminals within the district.  Someone starting out may or may not be able to hold that location.

I just checked, UP is offering $20000 to $25000 for Seattle.  But there you wouldn't get to work with me.  Hmm...maybe that's why they are offering more to work in Iowa.   

Again good luck in whatever you do.

[rixflix]

I went over the entire railroad in Google Earth. Elma seems to be the operations center, with an enginehouse, office and four visible locomotives. It's central to the termini at Grays Harbor, Bremerton and Centralia/Chehalis. They may send turns in each of the three directions. The double track gantry crane layout and the hammerhead crane at the Navy Yard were interesting.

Rick