OK...I'm not that old, but here is some railroad wisdom I picked up along the way...
I'm sure my fellows Ed, Carl, Larry, Wabash, WSOR, Limited Clear, BaltACD, Zug, BigJim, and RWM can add their own wisdom.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
I know this may sound blase, but it is true. Work smart, not fast. The best switchmen I worked with got done way before most, because they had a plan before they walked out the door, (We don't have yardmasters to pester us). Even if things did not go as planned, they could think on the fly.
The young switchmen I work with today, walk too much (they must own a boot factory), make unnecessary moves (they must like being out in the cold and rain longer than they need be), never verify their lists, and do not pay attention to what is going on around them (three binders can roll by them and not even hear it). I like to call them one dimensional. And, they do NOT listen to the old heads on how things are done (nor do they watch).
And the absolute most important thing about working a yard, leave it in the condition you want others to leave it for you. Hang air, no gaps in tracks, only two hand brakes at the end of a track, not scattered all over it, tag defects, and don't set up some other crew with a dangerous situation (clearance, housekeeping, ect.).
They do care however that they get the big Footboard pay check!
RRKen I know this may sound blase, but it is true. Work smart, not fast. The best switchmen I worked with got done way before most, because they had a plan before they walked out the door, (We don't have yardmasters to pester us). Even if things did not go as planned, they could think on the fly. The young switchmen I work with today, walk too much (they must own a boot factory), make unnecessary moves (they must like being out in the cold and rain longer than they need be), never verify their lists, and do not pay attention to what is going on around them (three binders can roll by them and not even hear it). I like to call them one dimensional. And, they do NOT listen to the old heads on how things are done (nor do they watch). And the absolute most important thing about working a yard, leave it in the condition you want others to leave it for you. Hang air, no gaps in tracks, only two hand brakes at the end of a track, not scattered all over it, tag defects, and don't set up some other crew with a dangerous situation (clearance, housekeeping, ect.). They do care however that they get the big Footboard pay check!
There is a real philosophical life lesson hidden in this post. Take it from an old retired fart. My father used to have a saying " You can't put an old head on young shoulders!" I heard it growing up many times, I never undestood until I started sproutng grey hairs.
To paraphrase what RR Ken (Band Leader) says; " The Young....do not pay attention to what is going on around them...And they do not listen to the old heads on how things are done(nor do they watch)."
And the final statement about wanting the big pay check, immediately, is a generational thing. It takes years to understand why it takes time to work into a paycheck catagory that rewards job experience and safety understanding of job issues.
Thanks you for letting me vent, and get this off my chest!
These old farts love to sit around and complain about how the newer RRers don't know anything, but you just know when they were new, they were also accused of not knowing their butt from a hole in the ground.
Some things never change.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmann These old farts love to sit around and complain about how the newer RRers don't know anything, but you just know when they were new, they were also accused of not knowing their butt from a hole in the ground. Some things never change.
Zugmann:
Just remember the old saying,
" Old age and cunning will trump youth and exzuberence every time!"
Actually, a lazy switchman will be the best of them all.
Yeah, and for some of us switchmen who really wanted to learn something, some of those old heads didn't want to tell you anything because they didn't want to show you how ignorant they are.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Thanks much, Nick, for starting this thread. It provides a logical and relevant place to post the following, which I coincidentially heard this / Sunday morning at 7:00 AM on the Philadelphia National Public Radio station, WHYY-FM 90.9. I was thinking of all you guys as I was listening to this, and wondering how I could work it into a thread and keep it 'on topic' - you've neatly solved that problem for me. For what it's worth, I've heard/ read several of your points elsewhere, and they seem to be a 'common wisdom' that maybe isn't so common. Thanks again.
- Paul North.
From: http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/meaning-of-intelligence/kristasjournal.shtml
"I grew up a witness to the intelligence of the waitress in motion, the reflective welder, the strategy of the guy on the assembly line. This, then is something I know: the thought it takes to do physical work. Such work put food on our table, gave shape to stories of affliction and ability, framed how I saw the world … I've been thinking about this business of intelligence for a long time: the way we decide who's smart and who isn't, the way the work someone does feeds into that judgment, and the effect such judgment has on our sense of who we are and what we can do." I Recommend Reading: The Mind at Work: Valuing the Intelligence of the American Worker by Mike Rose This refreshing, wonderfully written examination of beliefs about the mind explores blue-collar vocations and offers ample opportunity for the reader to reevaluate one's assumptions about the complexity of thinking that takes place as a hairdresser snips a lock, a waitress juggles multiple tables and orders, a carpenter problem-solves on site.
"I grew up a witness to the intelligence of the waitress in motion, the reflective welder, the strategy of the guy on the assembly line. This, then is something I know: the thought it takes to do physical work. Such work put food on our table, gave shape to stories of affliction and ability, framed how I saw the world … I've been thinking about this business of intelligence for a long time: the way we decide who's smart and who isn't, the way the work someone does feeds into that judgment, and the effect such judgment has on our sense of who we are and what we can do."
I Recommend Reading: The Mind at Work: Valuing the Intelligence of the American Worker by Mike Rose
This refreshing, wonderfully written examination of beliefs about the mind explores blue-collar vocations and offers ample opportunity for the reader to reevaluate one's assumptions about the complexity of thinking that takes place as a hairdresser snips a lock, a waitress juggles multiple tables and orders, a carpenter problem-solves on site.
Yes, Nick, you, and the others have given good advice. I like Zug's comment about the lazy switchman--he will work out the best way to accomplish the needed with the least motion, which will move more cars than the man who does not look ahead will move.
Paul, thank you for pointing out the fact every blue-collar vocation calls for thoughtful planning, so that more work can be accomplished in less time. I think of the time that I was in Production in a semiconductor plant. There were two of us who more or less oversaw the two sections of production. I would come in early and check on the location of all the lots of wafers in process. I than could tell the other man when to expect certain lots to move to his side, and he was able to tell me when certain lots would move from his side to my side--and both sides would be prepared to handle the wafers. As a result, we moved more wafers than either of the other shifts--and the other shifts accused us of cheating (such as claiming to move lots that were not quite through a particular step).
Johnny
a new conductor will make a engineer lots of money
Nope, they do not. And please note, I did not include all new guys, that would be unfair to those who do a days job, and are conscientious.
And a old conductor can earn you both a whole lot more!
wabash1 a new conductor will make a engineer lots of money
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Murphy Siding wabash1 a new conductor will make a engineer lots of money OK. I've taken some time to think this through. ' Turns out, I'm not that smart. How will a new conductor make an engineer lost of money?
A new conductor wont do the smart short cuts or do things that save time everything they do takes twice as long and they wont listen to suggestions. Now some New conductors are very smart but most haft to do things the hard way til they learn.and the some never learn
There was one guy who tried to suggest that the ole head conductors can make both money, well some know how to do the work and how to drag the time out for pay but the others are the ones who never learn.
I was not trying to start anything with the conductors, most know what im talking about, some can switch a yard and have fun doing it, take 300 cars and switch them out in about 3-4 hours and be done for the day, others can only switch 1 car at a time, and take 10 hrs to go 150 cars. and a few can only do the napping right. And in fairness there is engineers who cant get across the road with out screwing trains up and some cant switch and some scare you to know your going to meet them,
I always ask if they want to run for the quit, or shoot for the hogs.
okay this was from trains magazine years back.The conductor had a trainee on the DT&I at campbells soup in napoleon.it was freezing rain.The rods,grab irons and switches were lined with ice.So how did the old head get around so well? He wore golf shoes to work.gave him extra traction.Just a story i enjoyed reading.
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
wabash1 Murphy Siding wabash1 a new conductor will make a engineer lots of money OK. I've taken some time to think this through. ' Turns out, I'm not that smart. How will a new conductor make an engineer lost of money? A new conductor wont do the smart short cuts or do things that save time everything they do takes twice as long and they wont listen to suggestions. Now some New conductors are very smart but most haft to do things the hard way til they learn.and the some never learn There was one guy who tried to suggest that the ole head conductors can make both money, well some know how to do the work and how to drag the time out for pay but the others are the ones who never learn. I was not trying to start anything with the conductors, most know what im talking about, some can switch a yard and have fun doing it, take 300 cars and switch them out in about 3-4 hours and be done for the day, others can only switch 1 car at a time, and take 10 hrs to go 150 cars. and a few can only do the napping right. And in fairness there is engineers who cant get across the road with out screwing trains up and some cant switch and some scare you to know your going to meet them,
zugmann These old farts love to sit around and complain about how the newer RRers don't know anything, but you just know when they were new, they were also accused of not knowing their butt from a hole in the ground.
As for "Carhartt", I have a nice looking heavy Carhartt jacket with a hood. But, that is all it is, nice looking. Coldest darn jacket I've ever bought. Have to wear a fleece vest underneath to keep warm. Never again.
More like,"They don't make 'em like they used to!"
.
BigJimAs for "Carhartt", I have a nice looking heavy Carhartt jacket with a hood. But, that is all it is, nice looking. Coldest darn jacket I've ever bought. Have to wear a fleece vest underneath to keep warm. Never again.
You just got the wrong one! You need the Arctic coat (the expensive one), made for real workin' men. Not that other (cheap) coat for people who just want to look like they're working.
nbrodarBigJimAs for "Carhartt", I have a nice looking heavy Carhartt jacket with a hood. But, that is all it is, nice looking. Coldest darn jacket I've ever bought. Have to wear a fleece vest underneath to keep warm. Never again. You just got the wrong one! You need the Arctic coat (the expensive one), made for real workin' men. Not that other (cheap) coat for people who just want to look like they're working. Nick
Nick,
I'm not a railroader, so I have to ask. What is a "reverser?" By the way, I thought a lot on your list can be transferred to other professions.
Thanks,
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Why duct tape? For MOW gangs, yeah, even for the engineer to have in the cab, sure, but out switching cars?
I'm not a railroader, so I have to ask. What is a "reverser?"
It's the handle on the control stand that controls which direction the locomotive will move. While not exactly the same thing, it's analogous to the shift lever on a car with an automatic transmission.
Here's an illustration.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
kolechovski Why duct tape? For MOW gangs, yeah, even for the engineer to have in the cab, sure, but out switching cars?
In the cab to seal leaky doors and if the conductor carries it the engineer dont haft to also in the field if your train goes into emergency you take the roll with you and if its just a air hose seperation or leaky air hose coupling its been used to make sure that they wont seperate again until pin is pulled
You can think of the reverser as a key of sorts also...with it pulled out of the control stand you can not move the locomotive unders its own power,
Duct tape repairs rain gear, selas leaky doors, windows, holes in the floor, and as Mr. Wabash states, tape glad hands together to keep them for braking apart at the wrong time.
Always have a good alibi.....and a couple of not so good in reserve.
Sharp shooting is not an exact science.
Always leave the engine in the clear.
Best advice I received my first night firing:
"If something don't look right, STOP. You can always tell them why you stopped. You can't tell them why you didn't."
Duct tape is like the Force...it has a light side, a dark side, and holds the universe together.
No sharp shooting is not an exact science, more like a black art. But it's very helpful if you're good at it.
Duct tape I understand.Sharpshooting?
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