Railfans working on the Railroad.

[Anonymous]

My one attempt at working for a railroad came to a halt before it started. I applied for a clerking position with a Class 1, and interviewed with about 60 others for the positions. I passed all the tests, which left an interview with 3 people from the department. It went well (I have a fair amount of business experience in dealing with RR's from the outside), in fact it went so well that when they asked if there was anything that I might add, and I made the fatal error of commenting that I was a railfan. One interviewer said "Oh God no!", another made an extremely derisive noise, and the third one rather theatrically rolled her eyes. Needless to say I did not get the job despite the fact that only 60 people showed up to fill 80+ positions. Either the people I interviewed with were a close minded bunch, or they've had some really bad experiences with fans. All I wanted was a job.

Thank you kindly,

Mike M.
Downers Grove IL

[Anonymous]

I started w/BNSF in Kan City in 1998. Prior to that, I worked 17 yrs (starting right out of high school) in a KS flour mill. This work was always dirty, filthly, noisy & miserable. For several of those yrs, I spent inside airslide hopper cars scraping them out and preparing them for loading w/ bulk flr. I don't love the rr and at times it is miserable but I can bear it--all I have to do is think what I was doing 10 yrs ago. I have little interest in modern day rr's (working in the industry had changed that) I do however continue to hold an interest in the history of days gone by. I continue to purchase books & tapes that have a historical theme to them. For example, I have just ordered a book on the history of Pacific Fruit Exp. I have not really come across any railfans working out on the ballast. My feeling is leave the Trains., Model RRailroader and the cameras off the job and just do your job. I make good money for doing very little back breaking labor. I put 25% (the max) into my 401k. My goal is to work another 18-20 yrs and be out no later than age 62 then maybe at that time I can go back to being a railfan again.

[TrainFreak409]

I may be one in a few years. I live so close to a railyard (CSX / MARC) that it is a perfect location for me to get a job. I just need to be 18. So, that's about one and a half years to go!

[coborn35]

Better keep it off the tracks.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainster1073


To tell you Coborn35 not all railroaders are railfans. My cousin (that works for UP). The other UP employees (that weren’t railfans) called him “Foamie”. The reason behind the name is because when he would see a loco he would be the only with his tongue rolling on the ground.

Dustin

[(-D]That's way too Funny! Allan.

[ValleyX]

Best get used to it. That's pretty much part of the gig. Line-ups aren't any better now than they were when you used to have to check in with a caller on a regular basis and he'd tell you what was going to happen. Shoot, he was guessing, too!

Just when you think you're safe, RIIINNNNGGG

[Anonymous]

me too.

[TH&B]

I'm one.

[Jordan6]

I love my job in most cases.... [xx(] 02:30, sound asleep, before going to bed at 23:30 the computer says you're do to go out at 09:00, BRRRRRRRRRRR, BRRRRRRRRR, This is BNSF crew management, we have an onduty call for JT Villont at 04:00.....[banghead] This is one of the things I hate out here, hopefully I'll get use to it!

[trainster1073]

To tell you Coborn35 not all railroaders are railfans. My cousin (that works for UP). The other UP employees (that weren’t railfans) called him “Foamie”. The reason behind the name is because when he would see a loco he would be the only with his tongue rolling on the ground.

Dustin

[wctransfer]

LOL, ED, i would get off that job really quick LOL!

Alec

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Bluntly put, there isnt much you can do, and no where to move to when hanging on the side of a tank car, you only have one hand free, and it is holding your radio.
The bugs flock around the tallow that is dripping down the sides of the cars, which are generally overloaded to the point that, as they heat up during the day, the tallow will bubble out the relief valve.

The swarm of skeeters can get so thick on you that they cover your entire body, more than once I have bailed off because they got so bad I couldnt see where we were going and couldnt stand all the bugs.

They get trapped behind your glasses, they get in your ears, nose, and if your not careful, you mouth when you speak into the radio.

They dont really have a taste, more of a texture, like stale corn flakes, not quite crunchy....

Ed[:D]

Sometimes the RR will provide bug spray if there is a need.

If you have a local health and safety comittee, bring it up with them, then the RR should provide the spray for free, because it is a safety concern, especially if you can't see where you are going.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like it just might be time for a can of OFF sprey!
Allan.

[spbed]

Try the buggies west of Ogden where the UPRR enters the causeway to cross the Great Salt Lake. Anybody going there better wear head netting & long sleeve shirts & no shorts for sure, [:o)][:p][:)]

Originally posted by edblysard

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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