Question for people working for railroads

[Anonymous]

For those of you working for the railroads, what made you decide you wanted to work for one? Was it something that your father or grandfather did before you and that's why you did the same? Was it a childhood dream?

[Anonymous]

For those of you working for the railroads, what made you decide you wanted to work for one? Was it something that your father or grandfather did before you and that's why you did the same? Was it a childhood dream?

[edblysard]

Hard question, really. No one thing sparked my interest, except when I was a young man, I enjoyed watching the trains go past our house, it was a joint Rock Island Santa Fe line from Houston to Fort Worth, Tx. Always wondered where they ended up, and though it would be a great way to see the USA. Funny, I ended up working for a railroad that never leaves the county I live in. Did get to ride several trains overseas, England, Japan, Germany, France and a Russian subway. But never though I would get the chance to do that for a living, and when oppertunity knocked, I took a shot at it. Railroading is a odd, demanding, dirty and sometimes boreing job, but if you try it, and like it, you never want to quit. As the years go past, I find it more difficult to remember the other things I have done for a living, seems railroading has become so much of who I am, that I cant imagine ever doing anything else.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Hard question, really. No one thing sparked my interest, except when I was a young man, I enjoyed watching the trains go past our house, it was a joint Rock Island Santa Fe line from Houston to Fort Worth, Tx. Always wondered where they ended up, and though it would be a great way to see the USA. Funny, I ended up working for a railroad that never leaves the county I live in. Did get to ride several trains overseas, England, Japan, Germany, France and a Russian subway. But never though I would get the chance to do that for a living, and when oppertunity knocked, I took a shot at it. Railroading is a odd, demanding, dirty and sometimes boreing job, but if you try it, and like it, you never want to quit. As the years go past, I find it more difficult to remember the other things I have done for a living, seems railroading has become so much of who I am, that I cant imagine ever doing anything else.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

As always - your quick to reply! Thanks, Ed!!

That is kind of funny how you thought it would be a great way to see the US and your railroad never leaves the county. Although it wasn't railroading, I can relate. I joined the Army thinking it would be a great way to get to see some other part of the world. Six and a half years later -- saw a lot of the US (stationed at CA & FL, trained in KY & SC) but never once made it out of the US.

Having read some of your stuff and others, it sounds like many of you love doing what you're doing. I think that's very important and it's great that you can do something you like!

[Anonymous]

As always - your quick to reply! Thanks, Ed!!

That is kind of funny how you thought it would be a great way to see the US and your railroad never leaves the county. Although it wasn't railroading, I can relate. I joined the Army thinking it would be a great way to get to see some other part of the world. Six and a half years later -- saw a lot of the US (stationed at CA & FL, trained in KY & SC) but never once made it out of the US.

Having read some of your stuff and others, it sounds like many of you love doing what you're doing. I think that's very important and it's great that you can do something you like!

[wabash1]

I never wake up mad that i haft to go to work. In fact i look forward to it. i work the road and every now and then work the yards but love my job. i always wanted to work for the railroad . Like Ed says its hard to remeber what i did prior to this. and yes even though i love my job i also like to have a day off from time to time. It makes you respect and enjoy your job when you are rested. I do see a part of the usa and i dont have the traffic jams to commute to work like others do. for me its a win win . nobody in my family ever worked for the railroad im the first .

[wabash1]

I never wake up mad that i haft to go to work. In fact i look forward to it. i work the road and every now and then work the yards but love my job. i always wanted to work for the railroad . Like Ed says its hard to remeber what i did prior to this. and yes even though i love my job i also like to have a day off from time to time. It makes you respect and enjoy your job when you are rested. I do see a part of the usa and i dont have the traffic jams to commute to work like others do. for me its a win win . nobody in my family ever worked for the railroad im the first .

[CShaveRR]

By the time I started working for a railroad, I already had a lifetime subscription to Trains. I had always been a railfan, and--thanks to friendly crews and individuals on my hometown railroads--knew a bit about operations and what I would be getting into.

I didn't really know that I was going to be a railroader for life, but when it came time to alter my college-major plans, I decided to take a break and restore some self-confidence by working for a railroad. GTW had the "can't work if you wear glasses" restriction back then; they would have been my first choice. Thanks to C&O trains entering North Western Station in Chicago for a very brief time, I found out that CNW was hiring, and the rest is history...or MYstory. I never did go back to school.

And I'm still a railfan, sitting on the best job possible for satisfying my own interests. I've turned down promotions, and have stopped wondering whether the grass is greener on other railroad jobs. For me, it isn't. I used to think that I'd quit rather than let the job interfere with me being a railfan, but one has to face reality now. In six or seven years, when I reach retirement age, that will become an option again. But if I feel up to it, and body and mind hold out (I don't remember being this absent-minded!), I'd like to be able to stay around a little longer.

[CShaveRR]

By the time I started working for a railroad, I already had a lifetime subscription to Trains. I had always been a railfan, and--thanks to friendly crews and individuals on my hometown railroads--knew a bit about operations and what I would be getting into.

I didn't really know that I was going to be a railroader for life, but when it came time to alter my college-major plans, I decided to take a break and restore some self-confidence by working for a railroad. GTW had the "can't work if you wear glasses" restriction back then; they would have been my first choice. Thanks to C&O trains entering North Western Station in Chicago for a very brief time, I found out that CNW was hiring, and the rest is history...or MYstory. I never did go back to school.

And I'm still a railfan, sitting on the best job possible for satisfying my own interests. I've turned down promotions, and have stopped wondering whether the grass is greener on other railroad jobs. For me, it isn't. I used to think that I'd quit rather than let the job interfere with me being a railfan, but one has to face reality now. In six or seven years, when I reach retirement age, that will become an option again. But if I feel up to it, and body and mind hold out (I don't remember being this absent-minded!), I'd like to be able to stay around a little longer.

[Jackflash]

I had a neighbor who already worked for the RR, one day he asked me if
I would be interested, as there was some openings, I went to talk to the
trainmaster, my neighbor went with me, and I was hired, started as a
brakeman, as far as I know I am the first in my family to work on the RR
jackflash

[Jackflash]

I had a neighbor who already worked for the RR, one day he asked me if
I would be interested, as there was some openings, I went to talk to the
trainmaster, my neighbor went with me, and I was hired, started as a
brakeman, as far as I know I am the first in my family to work on the RR
jackflash

[Anonymous]

childhood dream for me. i've always had a love for trains so when the chance came about, i applied. if it wasn't for my YOU KNOW WHAT OF A SUPERVISOR i'd still be there. i miss it terribly. every time i stop at the yard, my buddies and some of the managers keep asking me when i'm coming back. besides, where else can you play with your hobby in full scale!!!!!!!


marty[:D]

[Anonymous]

childhood dream for me. i've always had a love for trains so when the chance came about, i applied. if it wasn't for my YOU KNOW WHAT OF A SUPERVISOR i'd still be there. i miss it terribly. every time i stop at the yard, my buddies and some of the managers keep asking me when i'm coming back. besides, where else can you play with your hobby in full scale!!!!!!!


marty[:D]

[edblysard]

Just to add to the mix, we have a switchman down here, who is 73. Yup, thats right, 73. His wife died years ago, his kids all moved away long ago, and he has no real hobbies, ecxcept fishing, and down here, that aint a hobby, its just part of living. So he keeps on coming to work. Nothing in the contract says he has to quit at any certain age, so he didnt.
I asked him if he ever would quit, he said when they nail the lid on his coffin, maybe then. He has never had any other job other that this, he started when he was 16, in MOW, then a switchman, and never worked anywhere else.
He has no desire to stop, he pointed out that, when his buddies retired, they all died within five years of retirement. I think he thinks if he quits, he will die too.
But he is here every day, and can work the tail end off of most of us youngesters, and never really break a sweat.
So once you go railroading, and it sticks, you end up doing it for the rest of your life.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Just to add to the mix, we have a switchman down here, who is 73. Yup, thats right, 73. His wife died years ago, his kids all moved away long ago, and he has no real hobbies, ecxcept fishing, and down here, that aint a hobby, its just part of living. So he keeps on coming to work. Nothing in the contract says he has to quit at any certain age, so he didnt.
I asked him if he ever would quit, he said when they nail the lid on his coffin, maybe then. He has never had any other job other that this, he started when he was 16, in MOW, then a switchman, and never worked anywhere else.
He has no desire to stop, he pointed out that, when his buddies retired, they all died within five years of retirement. I think he thinks if he quits, he will die too.
But he is here every day, and can work the tail end off of most of us youngesters, and never really break a sweat.
So once you go railroading, and it sticks, you end up doing it for the rest of your life.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Kathi Kube]

Marty,
Why don't you go back? When I was 17, my father lost a job he held 20-25 years when a new company bought his. He hated that job every day he worked it and left with nothing. I decided then and there I would do what I love to do no matter what. Now I'm a writer and my husband's a musician. How many couples can say they're living their dreams? How many individuals can? Isn't there another railroad you can work for? This might seem kinda forward, since I've never posted before, but I've been lurking here for quite a while and feel like I know a lot of you somewhat. You just landed on a topic that I'm especially passionate about. Now I hope to get to know you all even better!

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

Marty,
Why don't you go back? When I was 17, my father lost a job he held 20-25 years when a new company bought his. He hated that job every day he worked it and left with nothing. I decided then and there I would do what I love to do no matter what. Now I'm a writer and my husband's a musician. How many couples can say they're living their dreams? How many individuals can? Isn't there another railroad you can work for? This might seem kinda forward, since I've never posted before, but I've been lurking here for quite a while and feel like I know a lot of you somewhat. You just landed on a topic that I'm especially passionate about. Now I hope to get to know you all even better!

Kathi

[Anonymous]

the only thing stopping me is the 125mi round trip. trust me, if i lived closer i'd be back in a heartbeat.

marty

[Anonymous]

the only thing stopping me is the 125mi round trip. trust me, if i lived closer i'd be back in a heartbeat.

marty

[Anonymous]

I guess the 125mi round trip would put a damper on things.

Ed, your 73 year old switchman - wow! It's awesome that for one he's still physically able to do the work and secondly that they don't have a forced retirement age.

[Anonymous]

I guess the 125mi round trip would put a damper on things.

Ed, your 73 year old switchman - wow! It's awesome that for one he's still physically able to do the work and secondly that they don't have a forced retirement age.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm. Only 125 miles. Hell, I drive more than that to my home terminal. It can be interesting at times, but it is still the railroad and its what I signed up for...

LC[8D]

[Anonymous]

Hmmm. Only 125 miles. Hell, I drive more than that to my home terminal. It can be interesting at times, but it is still the railroad and its what I signed up for...

LC[8D]

[edblysard]

Nope, no forced retirement age, and I think they are afraid to fire him, he has been here longer than a lot of the tracks, most likley forgot more than most of us will even learn, and does know who has what skeleton in which closet. They do pay for a physical ever year, but cant force him to go. He does, and has passed every time. He has said if he feels he cant do the job any more, he will give it up, but so far, hes there every day. Of course, with his senority, he holds a daylight job, on a yard to yard transfer run, all he really has to do is double up a few tracks, catch the cab to the head end, and ride. But hes one tough dude. It dosnt matter which way you look at him, he looks like a fireplug with feet, square all the way around, with biceps the size of my thighs...by appearances, he looks like he is in his late 50s, but he showed me his drivers license, and he is 73. Shoot, he told me when he bought his first car, Texas didnt even require drivers licenses.
I have been here almost 7 years, and, with the exception of his vacations, I dont think I can remember one time he marked off.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Last Train to Clarksville

I guess the 125mi round trip would put a damper on things.

Ed, your 73 year old switchman - wow! It's awesome that for one he's still physically able to do the work and secondly that they don't have a forced retirement age.

[edblysard]

Nope, no forced retirement age, and I think they are afraid to fire him, he has been here longer than a lot of the tracks, most likley forgot more than most of us will even learn, and does know who has what skeleton in which closet. They do pay for a physical ever year, but cant force him to go. He does, and has passed every time. He has said if he feels he cant do the job any more, he will give it up, but so far, hes there every day. Of course, with his senority, he holds a daylight job, on a yard to yard transfer run, all he really has to do is double up a few tracks, catch the cab to the head end, and ride. But hes one tough dude. It dosnt matter which way you look at him, he looks like a fireplug with feet, square all the way around, with biceps the size of my thighs...by appearances, he looks like he is in his late 50s, but he showed me his drivers license, and he is 73. Shoot, he told me when he bought his first car, Texas didnt even require drivers licenses.
I have been here almost 7 years, and, with the exception of his vacations, I dont think I can remember one time he marked off.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Last Train to Clarksville

I guess the 125mi round trip would put a damper on things.

Ed, your 73 year old switchman - wow! It's awesome that for one he's still physically able to do the work and secondly that they don't have a forced retirement age.

[Anonymous]

I would but the next closest yard is 300mi round trip. i'm kinda stuck.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Marty,
Why don't you go back? When I was 17, my father lost a job he held 20-25 years when a new company bought his. He hated that job every day he worked it and left with nothing. I decided then and there I would do what I love to do no matter what. Now I'm a writer and my husband's a musician. How many couples can say they're living their dreams? How many individuals can? Isn't there another railroad you can work for? This might seem kinda forward, since I've never posted before, but I've been lurking here for quite a while and feel like I know a lot of you somewhat. You just landed on a topic that I'm especially passionate about. Now I hope to get to know you all even better!

Kathi

[Anonymous]

I would but the next closest yard is 300mi round trip. i'm kinda stuck.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Marty,
Why don't you go back? When I was 17, my father lost a job he held 20-25 years when a new company bought his. He hated that job every day he worked it and left with nothing. I decided then and there I would do what I love to do no matter what. Now I'm a writer and my husband's a musician. How many couples can say they're living their dreams? How many individuals can? Isn't there another railroad you can work for? This might seem kinda forward, since I've never posted before, but I've been lurking here for quite a while and feel like I know a lot of you somewhat. You just landed on a topic that I'm especially passionate about. Now I hope to get to know you all even better!

Kathi

[Anonymous]

So how does, lets say, a 22 year old guy like myself get a job in the Railroad industry? Are there part-time positions? I can't get a full-time position because i'm still attending college...

[Anonymous]

So how does, lets say, a 22 year old guy like myself get a job in the Railroad industry? Are there part-time positions? I can't get a full-time position because i'm still attending college...