Opinions Needed: Railfans employed by railroads

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Opinions Needed: Railfans employed by railroads

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 10 2003 11:08 AM

Question: Can a rail enthusiast find professional satisfaction among career railroaders who may consider him a "foamer?"

I've been scouted for employment as an Assistant Conductor for the Long Island Railroad. Of course, I am keenly aware that actually working on a big time commuter railroad is different than simply having an interest in and knowledge of rail operations.

Please Reply: Your thoughts, opinion and personal experiences are welcome.

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Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 10 2003 11:27 AM

You kinda have to tone down your enthusiasm or else you will get a lot of ribbing from your co-workers, I know I did[:D]

Good luck on the job!!!!!![:p]

Posted by csxengineer98

on Sat, Oct 18 2003 6:02 PM

be carefull....liking something as a hobby...and then doing it for a full time job, can suck the injoyment of it right out of you... i know that on my days off...watching trains is the last thing i want to do... also the harssment you will get if the non foamers find out your a foamer will be alot...just have to not let that get to you.... but let me give you some advice right now...... forget what you know..or what you even think you know... if you start out working for a rail road.... the quickes way to get yourself blackballed on a rail road by the older emplyees is to come to work with that additued that you "know it all" so if an old head asks you something or tells you something..dont say "Oh I know that"...it will lable you as a know it all..and they will never help you agin..... at least that is what i have seen with most senior emplyees.... thier are exeptions....but over all...if you act like a know it all..you dont get any help at all.... the best thing to say is "oh ok...thank you, ill remember that for next time... or something similer....
well..i hope this helps out somewhat
csx engineer

"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, Oct 21 2003 3:37 PM

Thanks to all for your replies.

Phase One of the LIRR evaluation process was easy enough, including some math problems ("Four adults and a child are going from Penn Station to Babylon at 845 PM...the ticket window is open...") and vocabulary words often seen in a RR rulebook. If I'm given the OK for the next phase, it will require Saturday attendance at training sessions for about 16 weeks.

Unfortunately Saturday assignments would require me to quit both my current full time AND part time jobs, obviously without a guarantee I'll pass all the tests.

Even the LIRR discourages quitting your current job(s) before being trained and being made an official offer... MCFarrand

Posted by heavyd

on Fri, Oct 24 2003 11:14 PM

I want you to listen to me very carefully!!! I had tried to get a job with the railroad for many years. It was my dream, and I wanted it sooo bad! Finally I got my chance. 5 month later I gave it all up!!! What you think and what the real railroad world is was night and day different. I knew there would be alot to learn and that I didn't know everything. But most of the things I had to learn really didn't appeal to me. All the rules and regulations, operational procedures, paperwork, ect went way beyond what I wanted from the job. The level of responsability was tremendous. I wanted to work on the railroad to enjoy trains at the ultimate level but to be honest I never did really get that chance. There is alot of stress, intimidation and some anxiety. That may be my down fall, you may be able to take that better than me but please listen the other posts! Working on the railroad was destroying the hobby for me, as when I had time off trains was the last thing on my mind. You really can't enjoy the hobby when you are working because you need to keep your head focused on the job, as safety was always first. Don't even think about taking pictures or anything like that when you are working, your co-workers will disrespect you big-time!!! Most railroaders hate railfans!!! They think we are all losers! So even if you become a railroader-in the closet railfan- it sucks because you can't share anything with anyone, like sneeking around. I have seen this all first hand! Railfanning is better trackside!
Take care...

Posted by csxengineer98

on Sun, Oct 26 2003 10:47 PM

same thing here man...but i got hooked on the money.... where im at..you cant find a job that pays 50G's a year...
csx engineer

"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel

Posted by Anonymous

on Mon, Oct 27 2003 1:02 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by heavyd

I want you to listen to me very carefully!!! I had tried to get a job with the railroad for many years. It was my dream, and I wanted it sooo bad! Finally I got my chance. 5 month later I gave it all up!!! What you think and what the real railroad world is was night and day different. I knew there would be alot to learn and that I didn't know everything. But most of the things I had to learn really didn't appeal to me. All the rules and regulations, operational procedures, paperwork, ect went way beyond what I wanted from the job. The level of responsability was tremendous. I wanted to work on the railroad to enjoy trains at the ultimate level but to be honest I never did really get that chance. There is alot of stress, intimidation and some anxiety. That may be my down fall, you may be able to take that better than me but please listen the other posts! Working on the railroad was destroying the hobby for me, as when I had time off trains was the last thing on my mind. You really can't enjoy the hobby when you are working because you need to keep your head focused on the job, as safety was always first. Don't even think about taking pictures or anything like that when you are working, your co-workers will disrespect you big-time!!! Most railroaders hate railfans!!! They think we are all losers! So even if you become a railroader-in the closet railfan- it sucks because you can't share anything with anyone, like sneeking around. I have seen this all first hand! Railfanning is better trackside!
Take care...

[8D] [:D] [8D]

You rookies will kill this job! - - - - Phil [}:)] [}:)] [8D]

Posted by Anonymous

on Mon, Oct 27 2003 2:43 PM

I'm also a railfan and work for the LIRR. In my opinion it depends on your level of being a railfan. I enjoy watching trains and I belong to a club. I make it a point to seperate the hobby form the job. Also you will be surprised to see how many people on the job are really into the hobby. I realize my job is to keep the trains moving while the hobby allows me to embrace all the aspects of the railroad.

Posted by csxengineer98

on Mon, Oct 27 2003 3:29 PM

whos calling me a rookie...i have been a with csx 6 years now... i think i have been out thier in the field long enought that the title rookie dosnt apply to me.... i may not have 30 years of service..but i dont have just 1 also....
csx engineer

"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel

Posted by heavyd

on Mon, Oct 27 2003 6:51 PM

I think he was calling me the rookie. I know I was a rookie and followed suit accordingly. I also know there are different railroads and I hope they are all different in their own way. I worked for CP in Toronto and all around. The training program there was very unique! The Toronto area is the biggest for the entire CP system. CP conductors are even responsible for some GO commuter trains. Most other terminals don't have near as many yards, mainlines or remote control. We had to learn about 2 to 3 times as much stuff plus GO trains, plus remotes compared to other areas. The ruff part was the program time is the same terminal to terminal. That wasn't why I quit but just an idea that sometimes these companies aren't what we think. Maybe other railways in other terminals allow for a more realistic training program and therefore it can be an enjoyable career. I hope for others that do get to work on the railroad they don't have a terrible start like I did. I would like to know how it went for those of you who enjoy it!

Posted by heavyd

on Mon, Oct 27 2003 6:54 PM

Posted by bluepuma

on Tue, Dec 23 2003 2:15 PM

I *Hate* to wait.... hate to be bored... I've turned hobbies into work with electronics, high fi audio, computers... wouldn't care to try it, rather watch, go home when tired.

I've enjoyed working with new technology, while there might be some part of railroading where I might fit, it wouldn't be running the train.

Easier to shine in a smaller group.

I respect those that can work like that, but I'd be swimming upstream, would remind me of working in the Military, or in a Union Shop of the Aircraft industry.

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Jan 9 2004 12:32 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

whos calling me a rookie...i have been a with csx 6 years now... i think i have been out thier in the field long enought that the title rookie dosnt apply to me.... i may not have 30 years of service..but i dont have just 1 also....
csx engineer

Your a rookie until you relize you don't know it all. Six years qualifies you as a apprentice. Come back and talk to me in about ten more years.

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, Jan 13 2004 7:55 PM

I absolutely loved every minute I spent on trains. The "non-train" things used to bug me.Things like having to battle with payroll when they reject seemingly valid pay claims; having to drive 100 miles (one way) to cover an out-of town assignment (the personal auto mileage claims were payroll's favorite to reject); being 5 or 6 out on the extra board and having your beeper go off while you're seated in a nice restaurant awaiting dinner; bidding for a regular job to get off the extra board only to lose at the last minute to a more senior employee that had earlier told you he wouldn't have that particular job if they gave it to him on a silver platter!
And let's not overlook furloughs. Happened to me 2 weeks before Thanksgiving 2002. A young (in seniority) railroader puts up with a lot of crap. You just have to be dedicated and your family has to be supportive of you.

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, Jan 13 2004 8:58 PM

You fellas who've been on the job are right, it's not the same to have a joa on the Rails as it is to have a devotion to trains. A job means it PAYs the bills, it's done on someone elses (ridiculuos and unreliable) schedule, and it's DANGEROUS. If you maintain the proper attitude, are open to the aid of others, and are willing to change your entire life style...you might make it ON the Railroad...and still be a fan. I still am, after almost 30 years, and a lotta guys out here know it, and NO harrassment. As the others say, don't be a know-it-all, you DON'T, and if you aren't open to learning your duties and method of work, folks won't help, and you won't make it. Good Luck, hope things work out for you!