tree68 Lithonia Operator How many isolated systems are there in the US? A handful of narrow-gauge tourist lines? A mining operation or two? It seems that a RR that cannot receive rolling stock and engines by rail has a big full-time headache. Can equipment be brought to certain lines via abandoned lines? I don't know the answer for that - however all it takes to isolate a line is lifting a rail. Said rail could be replaced to temporarily reconnect to the "system" to move a car in or out. I know the rail operation at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI is exempt, although they are hard by the NS line. In fact, there is an Amtrak station at Greenfield Village, although I don't know that it's in use right now.
Lithonia Operator How many isolated systems are there in the US? A handful of narrow-gauge tourist lines? A mining operation or two? It seems that a RR that cannot receive rolling stock and engines by rail has a big full-time headache. Can equipment be brought to certain lines via abandoned lines?
I don't know the answer for that - however all it takes to isolate a line is lifting a rail. Said rail could be replaced to temporarily reconnect to the "system" to move a car in or out.
I know the rail operation at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI is exempt, although they are hard by the NS line. In fact, there is an Amtrak station at Greenfield Village, although I don't know that it's in use right now.
I'm not sure that just lifting a rail on a connecting track would be enough to isolate an operation from the national system. The Boone and Scenic Valley RR did that a few years back. I forget the reason why, but they temporarily pulled a rail up to try to isolate them from the national network. One of their full time mechanical/maintenance people said that he didn't think that was enough to isolate them and exempt them from Federal regulations.
The problem leading to the rail being pulled was eventually resolved and the rail reinstalled.
Jeff
jeffhergertI'm not sure that just lifting a rail on a connecting track would be enough to isolate an operation from the national system. The Boone and Scenic Valley RR did that a few years back. I forget the reason why, but they temporarily pulled a rail up to try to isolate them from the national network. One of their full time mechanical/maintenance people said that he didn't think that was enough to isolate them and exempt them from Federal regulations.
Indeed - I can't claim to be an expert, by any means. It's going to be up to the FRA to make that determination, and I'm not the FRA.
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...
jeffhergert Convicted One Murphy Siding hat culture is prevalent in most all industries now. I can't tell if it's always been that way or if it started out better and has gotten progressively worse. Perhaps it is a consequence of the predictability that veteran employees tend to think in terms of "there really is no other answer" (eg, "we've ALWAYS done it this way"), while some might prefer to explore other options? This is a favorite meme of mine. https://me.me/i/i-have-no-idea-how-to-do-your-job-but-3117529 I think it's because it seems that those who do the work aren't considered by management to be smart enough to breathe on their own, let alone do the work anymore. I think this line of thinking has become more prevalent as work, especially if it in any way involves physical work, seems to be devalued in our culture. That if a person was smart and had talent, they wouldn't be working at a 'plain' job. (Of course it doesn't help that people in general have changed, with many not as 'motivated' at doing their jobs. This isn't and old vs young thing either. I've seen young people who were real go getters at their job, older people who weren't.) Jeff
Convicted One Murphy Siding hat culture is prevalent in most all industries now. I can't tell if it's always been that way or if it started out better and has gotten progressively worse. Perhaps it is a consequence of the predictability that veteran employees tend to think in terms of "there really is no other answer" (eg, "we've ALWAYS done it this way"), while some might prefer to explore other options?
Murphy Siding hat culture is prevalent in most all industries now. I can't tell if it's always been that way or if it started out better and has gotten progressively worse.
Perhaps it is a consequence of the predictability that veteran employees tend to think in terms of "there really is no other answer" (eg, "we've ALWAYS done it this way"), while some might prefer to explore other options?
This is a favorite meme of mine.
https://me.me/i/i-have-no-idea-how-to-do-your-job-but-3117529
I think it's because it seems that those who do the work aren't considered by management to be smart enough to breathe on their own, let alone do the work anymore. I think this line of thinking has become more prevalent as work, especially if it in any way involves physical work, seems to be devalued in our culture. That if a person was smart and had talent, they wouldn't be working at a 'plain' job. (Of course it doesn't help that people in general have changed, with many not as 'motivated' at doing their jobs. This isn't and old vs young thing either. I've seen young people who were real go getters at their job, older people who weren't.)
I think you're right on both counts: blue-collar work is not valued in our society as much as it should be on the one hand, and on the other, a lot of people don't seem to take much pride in their work and do as little as they can to get by. Regarding the latter, I'm amazed that anyone could do something for a living, day in and day out, and be content with doing a half-assed job of it and wallowing in mediocrity. Yet you see it all the time...
PsychotRegarding the latter, I'm amazed that anyone could do something for a living, day in and day out, and be content with doing a half-assed job of it and wallowing in mediocrity. Yet you see it all the time...
Perhaps such people simply are not as starstruck over the wonderous opportunities of capitalism, and are just paying their bills?
They (we?) may have pride, a sense of self-worth through children, hobbies, cooking for friends, charity work, politics, etc.
I feel fortunate that I had work that was interesting and economically sufficieint, plus the railfan hobby and music, but I regret I did not have the pleasure and pride in a family. So I can understand a person who has all those pleasures and pride but does not derive anything except economic self-sufficiency from his or her work.
For many people, their jobs are not intrinsically rewarding. They work to live, not live to work. Those folks who really love their work are fortunate.
In our society there is a great value placed on "loving" one's job. I think a lot of people, when asked, will say, "I love my job," because they think that's what they are supposed to say.
I had a great career as a self-employed commercial/editorial/stock photographer. If I had it to do over, I probably wouldn't change much. But did I "love" my job? No.
I love my wife, sex, our cat, sailing, railfanning, watching IndyCar and Formula 1 on TV, playing/hearing music, good food, good beer, and spending time with good friends.
I think of the people who say they love their jobs, about 80% are exaggerating or just plain lying. I have met very few people who seemed to truly love their jobs.
OTOH, I have known a lot of people who have/had rich full lives, but did not particularly like their jobs. The happiest guy I know was an auditor for the state of New York. He worked hard, saved every dime he could and invested it, and became quite wealthy. On the first day he was eligible to retire he was out the door, and he never looked back.
Despite not loving my job, I got a lot of satisfaction from it, and most of the time I gave it my best effort.
No one should feel they are not complete if they do not love their jobs. There are many different ways to proceed through life.
Regarding railroads (trying to vaguely stay on topic), I'm glad I got to be a railroader for a couple of years. I enjoyed a lot of it. Hated other parts. Was so-so about many aspects. Never "loved" it. But would never trade away having had that experience.
I've always preferred to be on a project, as opposed to maintenance.
With a project, there's an end in sight, and the satisfaction of having completed it.
With maintenance you know that you'll be back again, and again, and again. That's one reason I retired when I did. The project was over and now I was changing passwords every two months on a system with no outside connection.
charlie hebdo For many people, their jobs are not intrinsically rewarding. They work to live, not live to work. Those folks who really love their work are fortunate.
In spite of Amtrak and their destructive, dangerous managerial and operating procedures I enjoyed my job. I never lost the esprit de corps that was instilled in me many years ago when the railroad was run by railroaders. Doing my job well gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride. When folks ask if I miss my job I tell them I miss what it was not what it has become.
I still have my first pay stub.
I guess the member who questioned whether you were a railroader now has a sufficient degree of proof that you were.
charlie hebdo I guess the member who questioned whether you were a railroader now has a sufficient degree of proof that you were.
If you or any of the members here (friend or foe) collect memorabilia such as old pay stubs. I have all my NY NH & H stubs from 1963-1968 (the end) send a SASE and I will send you one.
Makes me want to climb up in the basement and find my ETT.
I think it is reasonable to expect any employee to be loyal, dedicated, and perform their duties to the best of their abilities. I have little patience for sandbaggers.
But at the same time, I recognize that not everyone is an "A-teamer". I was good enough at what I did that the company I worked for sent me around to it's various offices to help sort out problems at underperfoming locations. And yes, I did derive a sense of pride being that person. But success for me was being able to teach the personnel on location how to deal with those problems more effectively, not to fault them for ineptness. It takes very little talent to find problems and make a spectacle over them. Finding what is causing the problem for some branch office in timbuktuu and helping them over come it.....is more worth my time than fault finding.
I often felt that the other side of that was, forever after home office could blame me if such problems persisted....that may well have even been their motive to begin with. Which was a sterling incentive to me to get the problem fixed in such a way that it stayed fixed, so I wouldn't have to go back.
Lithonia OperatorMakes me want to climb up in the basement and find my ETT.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Wow! Thanks, Balt, for linking that! Covered wagons were long gone when I worked for the GARR. Although I have seen photos of a few, I have NEVER seen one in color.
Is that in Atlanta? Great photo.
BaltACD Lithonia Operator Makes me want to climb up in the basement and find my ETT.
Lithonia Operator Makes me want to climb up in the basement and find my ETT.
Atlanta 1963 according to the source I got the photo from.
I worked there 1972-1974. First in Atlanta Yard, then out in Lithonia. It was all black first-generation EMD Geeps (GP7s mainly), and some SW9 switchers in the yard.
I still have dreams that I go back to work on the railroad. In my dreams it's still the early 70s. And there always guys who are not thrilled to see me come back!
I do love my job, most of the time. But I've come to the conclusion that I don't love the company.
About 19 years ago, I had a chance to go to work for the Iowa Interstate RR. I didn't, but for a while afterwards I wondered if I made the right decision. Those feelings faded. Now I'm again wondering if I made the right decision back then.
Come to think of it, a lot of my loving the profession of architectural acoustics derived from more than the actual design work, testing, inspecting (sometimes in hazadous or and/or dirty locations), writing reports, doing calculations, eventually with computer help, programming computers, etc, and was also due to:
meeting some wonderful people and making new friendships
train travel to and from job sites and client meetings, with the scenery, find dining-car meals, and the above on the trains
visits to distant family members and friends paid for by travel necessary foro the job, including trips to Israel
On one occasion I was with Richard Horstmann and Lehigh Valley 353 all the way from Portland, OR to New York (his trip originated in Seattle, but I missed the Seattle - Portland portion) returning from two consecutive jobs in Portland, where I also visited my cousin Kenneth Lewis. Much ealier, a Reading Rail Ramble was included Philadelphia - Harrisburg as part of my travel to Pittsburgh for a project.
And getting to hear, and eventually even participate in lots of wonderful music.
daveklepper They (we?) may have pride, a sense of self-worth through children, hobbies, cooking for friends, charity work, politics, etc. I feel fortunate that I had work that was interesting and economically sufficieint, plus the railfan hobby and music, but I regret I did not have the pleasure and pride in a family. So I can understand a person who has all those pleasures and pride but does not derive anything except economic self-sufficiency from his or her work.
I can understand having sources of pride in one's life other than work - but given that at least a third of each weekday is spent at work, why not be the best you can at it? Pride in a job well done is one of the things I live for, whether it be at my job, doing DYI in my house, or playing sports.
jeffhergert I do love my job, most of the time. But I've come to the conclusion that I don't love the company. About 19 years ago, I had a chance to go to work for the Iowa Interstate RR. I didn't, but for a while afterwards I wondered if I made the right decision. Those feelings faded. Now I'm again wondering if I made the right decision back then. Jeff
If you don't mind sharing, what factors caused you to stay with Uncle Pete and not switch over to Iowa Interstate?
The people who are faced with one-third of their awake hours devoted to drugery still have a better life than much of the World's population for whom almost all of awake hours are spent in drugery. A subsistance farmer in Africa? A rice-grower in China? A Yadzi refugee? A Christian girl torn from her parents by Islamic fundamentalist for prostetution? A Chinese Christian wife whose husband is in a concentration slave-work camp and is forced to have a child by a Chinese atheist?
At least in the USA and Canada and the UK and Israel it is possible to enjoy the music one wishes, practice and/or view the sports one wants, vote in the hope, sometimes realized, that the person elected will truly represent one, walk the street in relative safety, go to the house of worship that meets one's needs and/or belief system or not go, travel by modes that one can afford, etc. Lots of places in the world these freedoms don't exist.
daveklepper The people who are faced with one-third of their awake hours devoted to drugery still have a better life than much of the World's population for whom almost all of awake hours are spent in drugery. A subsistance farmer in Africa? A rice-grower in China? A Yadzi refugee? A Christian girl torn from her parents by Islamic fundamentalist for prostetution? A Chinese Christian wife whose husband is in a concentration slave-work camp and is forced to have a child by a Chinese atheist? At least in the USA and Canada and the UK and Israel it is possible to enjoy the music one wishes, practice and/or view the sports one wants, vote in the hope, sometimes realized, that the person elected will truly represent one, walk the street in relative safety, go to the house of worship that meets one's needs and/or belief system or not go, travel by modes that one can afford, etc. Lots of places in the world these freedoms don't exist.
Amen.
Amen for this thread also.
Dave: I'm sure it wasn't meant to be an all-inclusive list, but there are quite a few other countries that are similar in terms of freedoms.
charlie hebdo Dave: I'm sure it wasn't meant to be an all-inclusive list, but there are quite a few other countries that are similar in terms of freedoms.
I'm sure there are, but David had to cut off the list somewhere!
As far as the job is concerned, a manager I had thirty years ago summed it up pretty well, at least as far as I'm concerned...
"Do I love my job? Well, I like my job. I think if you like your job you're ahead of the game. Nobody loves to work, at least nobody I know! Wouldn't we all rather be playing than working?"
Sound reasoning. At least I liked the job I had the past thirty years!
Flintlock76As far as the job is concerned, a manager I had thirty years ago summed it up pretty well, at least as far as I'm concerned... "Do I love my job? Well, I like my job. I think if you like your job you're ahead of the game. Nobody loves to work, at least nobody I know! Wouldn't we all rather be playing than working?" Sound reasoning. At least I liked the job I had the past thirty years!
The ideal job is doing something and getting paid that you would enjoy doing, even if you didn't get paid. There are those people and they have those 'jobs'.
I had a similar experience. The executive VP at Fields told me (a young clothing buyer) one day, "Charlie, ask yourself this. Do you have passion for this? If so, great. If not, you'll do OK but you'll never get to the top and you'll end up with regrets, like me." True but sad.
BaltACDThe ideal job is doing something and getting paid that you would enjoy doing, even if you didn't get paid. There are those people and they have those 'jobs'.
Sometimes, getting paid for it takes the fun out of it. People expect you to show up and perform on their schedule, not yours.
Knew a woman who divorced her husband, then later moved back in with him, without remarrying. All the comforts of home, yet either one could walk out if and when they felt like it.
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