1st Week of training..my thoughts...long

[Anonymous]

Well I started on Monday for my Conductor training. I walked into the door and immediately felt a sense of being someone, doing something most people only dream of. From the beginning the instructors really made you feel like you're part of a special group. The amount of information they throw at you is astounding. Now, I know i'm still a fnoogie and don't know crap, but i feel really amazed at what i know now versus what I knew on Monday. Back to the feeling good...You really do feel like you're part of something special. Those who work in RR know what I'm talking about. We learned to change a knuckle. Seemed fairly easy to me and most in my group. We also coupled cars and learned how to kick them as well. That was only the last 2 days we have been in the yard for hours at a time. Most of the rest of our time was spent in the classroom. Boy i sure know that GCOR now..lol. It was funny as we were on one of our breaks we were outside drinking coffee and smoking. The trainmaster said "You guys really look like railroaders now. I thought that was funny even though I know they are the enemy..lol. It was quite comical in the yard with everybody as we kicked and coupled cars. So many of us got our signals mixed up. The hoghead was just laughing. She said it was fun though. She knew that we were new so would get confused a bit. I also used a grab sign that i wasn't supposed to use until we got the basics down. I just thought I could since the instructor did..hehe. Guess not. We also learned to get off and on moving cars. Even though you can't actually do that they want you to know as it may save your life someday. All in all i am very pleased with the week. My brain is just spinning with all this information they are giving us. I think I'm gonna like this!! [:)]

[Anonymous]

Sid-

Sounds like things are going well. Think Sponge and absorb all you can. Don't pay attention to any of your classmates who think they know better. Pay attention and study. Don't go partying with that crowd they won't last either.

Remember, the euphoria of being in the RR industry won't last long...enjoy it, but don't let it interfere with the learning process...

Good luck,

LC

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sidulator

Well I started on Monday for my Conductor training. I walked into the door and immediately felt a sense of being someone, doing something most people only dream of. From the beginning the instructors really made you feel like you're part of a special group. The amount of information they throw at you is astounding. Now, I know i'm still a fnoogie and don't know crap, but i feel really amazed at what i know now versus what I knew on Monday. Back to the feeling good...You really do feel like you're part of something special. Those who work in RR know what I'm talking about. We learned to change a knuckle. Seemed fairly easy to me and most in my group. We also coupled cars and learned how to kick them as well. That was only the last 2 days we have been in the yard for hours at a time. Most of the rest of our time was spent in the classroom. Boy i sure know that GCOR now..lol. It was funny as we were on one of our breaks we were outside drinking coffee and smoking. The trainmaster said "You guys really look like railroaders now. I thought that was funny even though I know they are the enemy..lol. It was quite comical in the yard with everybody as we kicked and coupled cars. So many of us got our signals mixed up. The hoghead was just laughing. She said it was fun though. She knew that we were new so would get confused a bit. I also used a grab sign that i wasn't supposed to use until we got the basics down. I just thought I could since the instructor did..hehe. Guess not. We also learned to get off and on moving cars. Even though you can't actually do that they want you to know as it may save your life someday. All in all i am very pleased with the week. My brain is just spinning with all this information they are giving us. I think I'm gonna like this!! [:)]

[shrek623]

Sid,

Now we are having "fun" aren't we. Sounds like they have you guys on the exact same routine as us. I will tell you this, week 2 is as boring as can be. You will have 10 times as much GCOR, plus Air brakes and HAZMAT and timetables and ALL classroom. It is such a drag. Good luck, take in the info and stay awake(trust me it is VERY difficult even though you want to learn this stuff, drink LOTS of caffeine). Who knows, you might have the teacher we had, as he left today, but I'm not sure where he was teaching next. I'm getting anxious because I start my first of 5 weeks of OJT on Monday(1st 4 wks yard and 5th week on an OTR pool) . How many in your class? We were supposed to have 20, but only 12 were able to start, and one quit on Mon. Hang in there and keep me updated on your progress, as I'm curious to see if they do keep the same game plan(sounds like it). Oh, also no one down here knows if we will mark up at 100 percent or not(originally we heard not). I guess July 1 was the drop date for that but we are hearing that could have changed(who knows).

Good luck,

Shrek

[Rodney Beck]

Sid

Keep it up now the real fun of laerning begins with the ojt portion of training you are the new kid on the block and some errors are to be expected. I was in your shoes a littel over 2 years ago. Remember do the home work everyday STUDY, STUDY and STUDY and also do ask questions they will get answered. Rodney Beck conductor BNSF

I hope to see you in eola sometime when iam makeing a set out and pickup.

[Anonymous]

All of your "training" is really the result of some yahoo in a pine-panelled office dreaming up some humbug to justify his phoney-baloney job. When I went braking over 30 years ago, I took three student trips and was marked up. That was IT! From there it was on-the-job training. Of course back then, there were two switchmen, an engineer, a foreman, and even a fireman on occassion. There were plenty of people to keep an eye on the "new guy". BTW, they let you get on/off moving equipment once or twice; that's no where near enough. I've seen new guys get off with their back facing the movment! That's a sure way to end up on your keester. Or worse. Know that most of the time you will be alone on the ground, depending on your engineer, and maybe with a trainee following you like the proverbial shadow. You're quickly going to figure out what is really important from your training, and what is "humbug". There is an excellent chance your engineer will have only a little more experience than you. Your instructors may be trying to make you feel like "railroaders", but you have quite a ways to go before you get there. Don't be ashamed of your inexperience, and don't pretend to know more than you do; the worst mistake you can make is to present yourself to other crewmen as more knowledgable than you are. If they don't know you, they may take your word for it. From there it's trouble for all of the crew. You're green; tell them you're green. But after all that, I hope you have a long, prosperous career in the railroad industry. It's been very good to me.

[Anonymous]

There is only 8 people in my class. Yeah I don't pretend to know anything. I don't know crap as far as i'm concerned. I figured week 2 would be all classroom. That will be boring. It really is hard to stay awake during class. I resorted back to drinking coffee and that seems to do the trick. Yeah I don't party anymore and besides my wife would kill me ;). The technical trainer that was here for the week from KC told us "If i were you guys I would study,study,study. You guys have a great opportunity here. After you pass the exam, you're in." I really took to heart what he said. I worked hard to get to this point and the last thing I wanna do is screw it up over something stupid. I've been practicing my signals all weekend too. I screwed a few up last week so i wanna make sure i have them down solid. Till next time..stay safe [:)]

[Anonymous]

Geez this seems so long ago. I took my test on Friday and passed!! Now I get to roll onto the xboard. Let the fun begin..lol

[Anonymous]

Sid-

Congratulations. Listen to the old heads and watch them too. You'll learn a lot. Remember, always stand well back (at least 30' if possible) when throwing switches or inspecting a train by...

Keep us posted.

LC

[Anonymous]

Great to hear Sid!

Good luck with your Career and stay safe! [:)]

[Anonymous]

Sid-

You have made it to a place where some people, like Chessking for example will never be able to tread. Enjoy...

LC

[adrianspeeder]

Good work. You're eastbound and down.

Adrianspeeder

[edblysard]

Sid..
First, congratulations on making the cut..now keep your head cut in...

Second.
There is NO RUBBER KNUCKLE for kicking fragile loads, and the track stretcher is what a trainmaster uses...when they need 100 cars in a 75 car track.

Learn the part about trailing foot well...getting on and off moving equipment is something we have to do on my road, we are a terminal switching road.
And yes, it might save your life sometime.
Freeze up on a bad accident, and your the first one at the scene...and usually the last one to leave, in a bag.

Remember this....
no one needs a hero...if stuff goes wrong, dont try to save the car...they can weld it back together, or buy another one...but you dont weld together to well, and I doubt you can be replaced, at least in your family's eyes...


Last but not least...

Expect movement on any track,
in any direction,
at any time.

There is no such thing as a dead track!

Stay safe, stay cut in....


Ed

[Randy Stahl]

Never turn your back on these things, check switch points, set just one more hand brake. Ed Blysard has the best advice... keep the head cut in !!!!
Randy

[Anonymous]

Don't forget.....Derails actually work!

[daveklepper]

Congratulations, and love

[rrnut282]

You're living the dream, enjoy it, and pay attention so you can enjoy it longer.

[Anonymous]

Sidulator,

Congrats on making it. Read the posts carefully and take them to heart. Don't worry about the quit or trying to prove something to someone. Work at your own pace that is safe for you, the rest will come in time. I think the hardest part you'll have is trying to make plans in your personal life around your RR life; that was my biggest challenge. Good luck.

[AntonioFP45]

Sidulator,

Can't help noticing what you said about the hogger....."she". Are there quite a few female locomotive engineers where you're at? What types of personalities?

I'm curious as some women take right to railroading, while some others feel that they have to work at fitting in.

As a shop teacher, I encourage my female students to learn as much as possible, learn to be leaders, but to throw the "Political Correctness" down the hatch, be civil and clear headed as that's what earns respect.

10-4!

[Anonymous]

Well an update...I have had a blast and in March started going through the management assesment process for BNSF. I passed it all by the end of April. I just accepted a Trainmaster position starting on June 1. Some might say it's too quick but I truly believe that how you conduct yourself and your attitude play a major role. Not all Trainmasters are bad ya know. I have met some good ones and I have met some crappy ones. Not everyone can be a good manager. I am very excited with my new position and look forward to promoting a positive atmosphere for everyone i work with. Funny how I used to think Trainmasters were the enemy..lol. Let the journey continue...

[edblysard]

Good deal, Sid.
Now for the advice..(you knew we would say something!)

Dont ever forget where you came from.
Way too many TMs get used to the position, and forget that pounding rocks and pulling pins is a major part of railroading.

You can run all the trains you want, but some one has to build them for you first!

And it always works out best if you figure out how to get your crews to work with you, instead of for you.

You already know that you will have crews that screw the pooch no matter what you do with, or for them.

And you will have crews that take their job seriously, and really do bust butt to do it right.
Remember to reward the guys who earn it.

And remember too, that respect for you dosnt come automaticly with the job,
dont try and demand their respect, earn it instead, it last longer that way.

Glad you stuck it out, and stayed cut in...

Ed

[CSXrules4eva]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Sid-

Congratulations. Listen to the old heads and watch them too. You'll learn a lot. Remember, always stand well back (at least 30' if possible) when throwing switches or inspecting a train by...

Keep us posted.

LC

This is true, "do what some old guy tells you to do". This is a primary saying of my engine preformance professor. He always tells us before we go back on our apprenticship jobs to "do what some old guy tells you to". Well, I took his advise and use it very well on my job. If I'm told to do three services "jiffy lubs" in a row, I do it I don't question. Even if I think management is wrong sometimes, I don't question I do. Even some of the old guys that are on the floor I always follow their dos and don'ts lol.

Sid congrats on doing very well in your conductor training program. It seems to me like eveyone including your classmates are treating you well. That's good. One thing about getting the signals mixed up. That's ok. hehehehe I know I'll have a tough time understanding certain signals when I become a locomotive engineer. I still really don't understand certain signals now. :( I think I'll be up all night rememberizing signals when I become familized with a route. lol

[Anonymous]

Sarah,

The best way to learn signals is by being out there riding on a train. And riding with an old head who can give you a 5 minute detailed story on each signal indication and why it is in that particular spot. Do you know what signal set you have to learn? AMDG has several signal sets that you can study so you're up to snuff before you even get out there, but to truly learn the signals you'll have to see them out there on the line of road to truly appreciate what you've learned. SIgnals seem intimidating at first, but once you learn them they become second nature to you.

[Anonymous]

Work as fast as you can, get big quits. Thats all that matters.

[ValleyX]

There's no such thing as working as fast as you can anymore, a virtual quagmire of safety rules and procedures has taken care of that. Not that that's a bad thing but it sure changed things. Perhaps I'll be criticized for using "quagmire" but I think it's appropriate. As for early quits. . .

[Anonymous]

Early quits? HAH!

There is work to be done. If you can get some of tomorrows work done while there is still daylight and time left go for it.

[Anonymous]

Good idea, do the next shift's work so the company can git rid of some more jobs!

The faster you can switch cars, the better.