Question for people working for railroads

[Anonymous]

I grew up around the Maryland & Pennsylvania, the "Ma & Pa". They were still running steam some times, but their EMD switchers were pretty neat too. My grandmother lived 1/2 block behind the Towson, Md. depot, and it seemed that every time we were going to see her or a cousin (all up and down the line), I'd be looking for trains. I'll never forget the feeling when we came up York Road into Towson, and the familiar black girder bridge over the road was gone.

[Anonymous]

I grew up around the Maryland & Pennsylvania, the "Ma & Pa". They were still running steam some times, but their EMD switchers were pretty neat too. My grandmother lived 1/2 block behind the Towson, Md. depot, and it seemed that every time we were going to see her or a cousin (all up and down the line), I'd be looking for trains. I'll never forget the feeling when we came up York Road into Towson, and the familiar black girder bridge over the road was gone.

[Anonymous]

SpecR-

Nope, no such thing as part time on the railroad. The closest you could probably expect to come is a summer job on the track gang or maybe in train service. One possibility is to look for employment at a short line or tourist line. Volunteering during the year at these places might also grease the way to a summer position.

LC[8D]

[Anonymous]

SpecR-

Nope, no such thing as part time on the railroad. The closest you could probably expect to come is a summer job on the track gang or maybe in train service. One possibility is to look for employment at a short line or tourist line. Volunteering during the year at these places might also grease the way to a summer position.

LC[8D]

[kenneo]

I grew up next to a railroad (UP's OSL in Idaho) when they were still running steam even on some passenger trains. Rode my first steam engine out of Caldwell at age 5. After highschool, hired out for summer work out of Portland on the SP. Wanted to be in engine service, but no openings, Nothing in train/yard service either, but station service had Telegrapher openings, so there I went. Worked summers while attending U of O in Eugene, where in my sophmore year met and married. Believe me, school full time and RR full time don't work, so quit school. After we lost our child in late 1965, I got that dreaded "final notice" from the draft board, so decided I would enlist in the Transportation Corps instead of being placed where the service wanted me. Ended up as NCOIC of my unit (and, also, acting CO) and at the end of my enlistment, they had bars on me and wanting me to re-up for 4 with a $5000 bonus. Went back to railroading. Have worked as a Telegrapher (sparkei), CTC Interlocking Operator, Bridge Tender, Manual Interlocking Operator, Agent, Hump Operator, Yardmasters Trim Clerk., Customer Service Rep (Traffic Dept), "Mudchicken", Property Manager and Conductor, Brakeman (both freight and passenger) and "Snake".

[kenneo]

I grew up next to a railroad (UP's OSL in Idaho) when they were still running steam even on some passenger trains. Rode my first steam engine out of Caldwell at age 5. After highschool, hired out for summer work out of Portland on the SP. Wanted to be in engine service, but no openings, Nothing in train/yard service either, but station service had Telegrapher openings, so there I went. Worked summers while attending U of O in Eugene, where in my sophmore year met and married. Believe me, school full time and RR full time don't work, so quit school. After we lost our child in late 1965, I got that dreaded "final notice" from the draft board, so decided I would enlist in the Transportation Corps instead of being placed where the service wanted me. Ended up as NCOIC of my unit (and, also, acting CO) and at the end of my enlistment, they had bars on me and wanting me to re-up for 4 with a $5000 bonus. Went back to railroading. Have worked as a Telegrapher (sparkei), CTC Interlocking Operator, Bridge Tender, Manual Interlocking Operator, Agent, Hump Operator, Yardmasters Trim Clerk., Customer Service Rep (Traffic Dept), "Mudchicken", Property Manager and Conductor, Brakeman (both freight and passenger) and "Snake".

[Anonymous]

I like my job. I'm still relatively young, 29 and it tends to put a damper on my social life and makes relationships short. I knew what I was getting into and don't plan on quitting. Besides, I've got to meet alot of people and see alot of the country. I've dated girls in every state that I have been in. What happens at the away from home terminal stays at the away from home terminal! HeHeHeHe!

[Anonymous]

I like my job. I'm still relatively young, 29 and it tends to put a damper on my social life and makes relationships short. I knew what I was getting into and don't plan on quitting. Besides, I've got to meet alot of people and see alot of the country. I've dated girls in every state that I have been in. What happens at the away from home terminal stays at the away from home terminal! HeHeHeHe!

[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...

[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

[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]

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]

[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]

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

[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

[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

[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]

[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

[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.