Locomotive Engineers

[BigJim]

The hard part was holding the cold ladder,

Speaking of cold! It was -25 degrees F, riding the end of a set of hoppers back about a mile and a half. I was bundled up nice and warm, but, the moisture from my breath was escaping from my ballaclava and condensating on my eyelashes. When I blinked my eyes, they would freeze shut!

BTW, EMDs for me please.

BTW Pt.2, GP40s (the engines) were pretty good.

[Anonymous]

I sure wish he would use a spell checker.  He may know his job but half of what he writes I can't understand because of the poor spelling.  I hope the spelling in his train logs are a whole lot better than what's online.  And no, this isn't a personal slam.  I really would like to be able to understand clearly what he is saying as he seems to have a lot of good information.

Bill

 

what a total  PANTLOAD !!!   I've been reading CSX Engineer's posts here for 4 years, and NEVER has his spelling caused even the slightest confusion on my part as to what he's saying.

 

He's also pretty generous offering explanations to questions and other RR related complexities. I am most beholden to him for much info, I hope he never changes.

5 more guys just like him,  would make this place a better forum 

[Green Bay Paddlers]

I'll tell you what, I love this thread for what it is intended to be.  As a non-railroader (although I am an avid train fan and model railroader), I enjoy learning a bit more about the profession.  I'm not sure what the intentions of GP-40 really are.  He seems to be someone in need of attention.  However, I do respect CSXEngineer's contributions to this thread and these forums in general. 

 

Thanks to all that have taught me a bit more about life in the cab.  

Jeff

[zardoz]

I make about $40.00 bucks more then a cornductor.

[zapp]

I make about $40.00 bucks more then a cornductor.

 

[kolechovski]

First, about csxengineer, although I haven't been on these boards as much as I'd like, I have gotten lots of useful info from his posts.  I also see that many people make minor mistakes with spelling and grammar.  Whoop-de-dooooooooooooooo!  I can still understand what they're saying, so as long as csxengineer doesn't ty[pe something like "DoSe GuYs LiKe HaD tO LiKe MaKe a G3n3r!c 10c0mot!v3 MoVeMeNt-Lahl!!!!!11!!!1eleventy-one...", I don't have any problem with him.  : )

 

Now on topic, a few questions to you loco engineers.  How does pay differ from your last days as a conductor to your first as an engineer?  I'm curious how much a change is made to your paycheck.  Of course, as with most jobs, the worker usually receives just over 1/2 of their gross earnings, so there's not too much difference here and the 40% thingy makes sense.  Now the next question is about the taxes.  From what I understand, if correct, railroaders don't pay social security, but a railroad retirement tax.  How much does this tax differ from social security?  Finally, what is the typical salary for 1st-year conductors?  Thanks.

Now regarding something I thought was mentioned earlier, though maybe in a different thread, was the difficulty of hanging onto cars for long times.  I hear that people seem to have more trouble with this than teh coupler-lifting.  For me, hanging onto a car was pretty easy.  The hard part was holding the cold ladder, and the fact that it was rusty and was virtually ripping my hands apart (another question-does the railroad provide gloves?).  I hadn't taken the foficial test yet, but this is past experience.  So, I'm wondering why a lot of people fail at it.  It does help to change positions from time to time, and it also seems that riding with one foot a rung higher than the other, and one hand higher one rung than the other, makes long rides much easier.

[Anonymous]

GP40-2, I daresay that if you met these fellow railroaders in person, they'd use their knowledge of the job and send you slinking away with your tail between your legs.

Really? Considering my employment started on the B&O when it was still an independent company--pre Chessie System and and pre CSX--I daresay I have worked in railroading longer than many of "these fellow railroaders" have been alive on this planet. If somebody wants to get into a pissing contest about job knowledge, bring it on. I won't be the one "slinking" away.

Maybe you care to share your vast years of railroad experience with all of us. 

 

 

You know Palie, they have support groups for people like you.

And its a pretty sad state of affairs when you have to come onto a railfan posting board to boast about what an "important job" you have.

You're not impressing me...you not impressing anyone else.  But I will have you to to know that I have known csxengineer98 for many years, and even if you are an CSX employee (which I highly suspect at this point), you should consider yourself lucky to have such a good competant, dedicated and dependable worker as he.

Now run along and go play with your toy trains...you're a railroad big shot remember??? 

 

 

[Mookie]

And since I am an engineer in the vast expanse of my mind - I prefer EMD's - up to the SD70's.  After that - it all went to pieces. 

[CShaveRR]

As long as you asked, though not very politely, I've probably been a railroader as long as you have.  Read some of the other threads.  I'm just waiting for sixty to roll around. 

Now I'm going to go to work.  I hope, when I return, that this thread has either been locked or returned to normalcy.

[CShaveRR]

As long as you asked, though not very politely, I've probably been a railroader as long as you have.  Read some of the other threads.  I'm just waiting for sixty to roll around.

[mackb4]

    GP40-2.Just curious.What is your title at CSX ? Care to share that with us ?I know the Chessie was formed in what,1979 if my memory is correct ?So yes,me being born in 1969 is most likely as mentioned,a few years,or decades differance in our ages.

 Myself ,I hired in as a brakeman in 1991,and was promoted as an Engineer in 1993.I will be working for the NS,16 years in May of this year. 

 My Dad hired on the C&O in 1962.And he retired in 2002 as a Machinist on the CSX,42 years total.

 My Granddad hired on the Virginian in  1909,and passed away in 1965,an was still an active employee of the C&O.He had worked some on the Southern and DT&I r.r.'s,due to layoffs and the depression.Minus a few years being laid off,53 years of actual work

 My GreatGranddad was an Engineer,starting out as a Fireman,for 45 years on the Virginian r.r..

 And countless Uncles,Great Uncles and second cousins also worked for the Virginian and N&W and NS r.r.'s,with too many years to count

 A total of 156 years though,from my GreatGranddad to myself.

 My Mothers Dad and Granddad both worked for the C&O and Seaboard r.r. for a combined total of 45 years.

 All together a total of  201 years,that I can count right off, of railroading in my family and in my blood.

 That explains why "we railroaders" stick up our guns for one another.And take a little offense to someone "picking" on another brother.

 If you have a family tradition of railroading in your family,like many of us on here may have,I'm sure you'll understand why some take a defensive stand when someone attacks another forum member,even if it was an unintentional "poke in the eye" .

 It's sorta like a small community on here.You start to learn everyone's life,their likes and dislikes.And also what hurts someone's pride.

  

[CSXrules4eva]

POPCORN ANYONE???

I do have something to say here. I am glad most of you shot down what was said eariler in this thread against the attacks on csxengineer. I quite hoestly have never thought that someone's spelling should reflect the intellengence (sp?) a person has. There are many intellegent people that do have problems with "little" or basic things, it depends on the individual. For instance I have always had problems with spelling, due to one little thing dislexia. However, I never use that has an excuse and I do try to work on my "problems".

[canazar]

GP-40, your .  

 Lighten up. Go get drunk. Watch a game. Maybe eat the whole cheesecake.   You need to get out more.   Or at least think about swtiching to de-caf

[GP40-2]

GP40-2, I daresay that if you met these fellow railroaders in person, they'd use their knowledge of the job and send you slinking away with your tail between your legs.

Really? Considering my employment started on the B&O when it was still an independent company--pre Chessie System and and pre CSX--I daresay I have worked in railroading longer than many of "these fellow railroaders" have been alive on this planet. If somebody wants to get into a pissing contest about job knowledge, bring it on. I won't be the one "slinking" away.

Maybe you care to share your vast years of railroad experience with all of us. 

 

[zapp]

Both units, GE's and EMD's, take forever to load up with today's computer's, but I still prefer to run Chevy's.

[Anonymous]

So, are you this sloppy on the job? Do you rush through safety issues in the same way? If you want to call yourself "csx engineer" in a public forum, then show some pride in yourself and the company.

i dont know you gp40...

Trust me, if you screw up on the job because you like to rush through things, I'm the last person at CSX you want to know. I have absolutely zero tolerance for sloppy employees.

Have a good day yourself.

 

 

Oh a big shot eh????

Don't tell me...let me guess...You are the guy that parks the executives cars in the parking lot in Jacksonville....right?

You are not impressing anyone here Junior. 

 

[al-in-chgo]

 

I used to teach English grammar and composition in a business school, but these recent exchanges don't seem to be getting us anywhere (and besides, I don't issue tickets!). 

To me a much more interesting topic came up before all the back-and-forth:  do you engineers prefer engines from GE, or from EMD?

al-in-chgo

[CShaveRR]

We've had "forum etiquette" threads on spelling and punctuation before.  I'm in favor.

But I'm not going to call valuable Forum members on mistakes unless (a) like SJ, I have a real problem understanding what they are trying to say, (b) they leave me with an opening that, as a wordsmith and one-time journalist, I find irresistable, or (c) I really have poster-specific vitriol in my system.  Some of our most valued Forum members can't type well, but still can speak volumes.  GP40-2, I daresay that if you met these fellow railroaders in person, they'd use their knowledge of the job and send you slinking away with your tail between your legs.

[AntonioFP45]

I've enjoyed reading CSXEngineer's posts for the past two years. It's great that we have professional railroaders on this forum.  The more the better. 

However, GP40-2, why the flaming torpedoes?  Totally unnecessary, uncalled for, and does not contribute to the high quality of this forum.  Your intentions may be honorable, but you seem to be coming off as a bit "arrogant and self-absorbed" especially since this involves a fellow professional.  You seem to be thoughtful so hopefully you're not in this category.

Relax. 

Your comment:  "I have absolutely zero tolerance for sloppy employees...."   brings something to mind.

I've been fortunate to know a couple of CSX management employees. One very down to earth gentleman shared this with me in a conversation: 

Sadly, there are a few blue and white collar CSX employees in Florida that are inflexible, inconsiderate, hard nosed, and don't care whose life they make miserable.  These few make it hard on everyone else trying to do their jobs, union and non-union.  While they may move up the ladder, sooner or later they challenge the wrong manager or employees and in due time are eventually gone from the payroll.  The cycle repeats itself.     

Interestingly these types of people are never missed by the employees or management.  Being a sharp minded professional should always include "respect for others".  Persons that don't understand this are seldom ever missed by others when they leave the job.

[zardoz]

     As a railroader, I'm sure you have the insight to add more to these threads than simple putdowns.  Please give it a try.   Thanks

He's a rail!? That's hard to believe!!  (His profile is lacking in information.)

 --------------------------------------------------------

And FWIW regarding anyone's grammar and spelling quality: in this forum we communicate by the written (typed) word.  Words are the medium in which we choose to represent ourselves to others.  Language is a tool.  Some are more adept using certain tools than others.  However, the way we communicate may affect how well our thoughts are understood.

Refering to csxengineer98's unique way of expressing himself (but certainly not picking on him), yes, it would be nice if he took the few extra seconds to type better and/or use a spell checker. However, this is not grammar class.  The choice of words as well as the thoughts behind the words is what matters most here. 

As we have seen in certain other threads, it is quite possible to type and spell very well and still not say anything worthwhile.

[Murphy Siding]

let me take a stab at this one too...

yes you can be oncall 24/7/365...

the pay... ahahahahaha...it sucks for all the crap we have to put up with..but considering that you dont have to spend years and thounsands of dollors on a college degree to do the job.. the pay is about one of the best your going to find for just needing a highschool deploma

you learned learned learned .... thats the point of training..to learn eveything you can about train handleing..opporating rules..and how to use the terrain of the terriroty to your advantage. (work smart..not hard)

the carrier will train you and put you through there engineers program at no cost to you...but you have to be working for that railroad to go to that railroads engineers program

and no..i work for conrails southern xtention...more commonly known as CSX...

csx engineer 

Appparantly we's hired you without you obtaing yours high scholl deploma first.

     GP40-2:  On several recent threads, I've noticed that you've gone out of your way to post something nasty, just to attract attention to yourself.  This is distracting, and generally adds nothing to a thread.  If you feel you need to build yourself up by trying to tear someone else down, I don't think it's working.

     As a railroader, I'm sure you have the insight to add more to these threads than simple putdowns.  Please give it a try.   Thanks

[Mookie]

I, for one, do not want to lose CSX engineer.  He has always been a good source of information for those of us who don't know too much about anything on the subject of trains.

Maybe a thought would be that if you don't understand what he is saying, pick out a part that you really can't figure out and ask him - nicely - to rephrase it.  That is what I would do and my bet is that he would very nicely tell me again!

Mookie 

 

[Anonymous]

Gee, I had no problem at all understanding what he said! Must be some kind of "engineer talk", eh?

I got it too , regardless of the spelling I read truth and sincerety; one of the traits I value above petty details

I agree about the truth and sincerety.  That's one of the reasons I like reading CSXs' posts. But if he used a spell checker they would be a lot easier to read.

[Randy Stahl]

Gee, I had no problem at all understanding what he said! Must be some kind of "engineer talk", eh?

I got it too , regardless of the spelling I read truth and sincerety; one of the traits I value above petty details

[BigJim]

Gee, I had no problem at all understanding what he said! Must be some kind of "engineer talk", eh?

[Anonymous]

they have a nice power buro

csxengineer,

I think you should have used your spell checker on that one. I believe the correct spelling is;

Polit Bureau

I sure wish he would use a spell checker.  He may know his job but half of what he writes I can't understand because of the poor spelling.  I hope the spelling in his train logs are a whole lot better than what's online.  And no, this isn't a personal slam.  I really would like to be able to understand clearly what he is saying as he seems to have a lot of good information.

Bill

[BigJim]

they have a nice power buro

csxengineer,

I think you should have used your spell checker on that one. I believe the correct spelling is;

Polit Bureau

GP40-2 wrote the following post at 01-10-2007 12:39 AM:

So, are you this sloppy on the job? Do you rush through safety issues in the same way? If you want to call yourself "csx engineer" in a public forum, then show some pride in yourself and the company.

i dont know you gp40...

 

Trust me, if you screw up on the job because you like to rush through things, I'm the last person at CSX you want to know. I have absolutely zero tolerance for sloppy employees.

Just where does Mr. GP-40 get off hi-jacking this post, imposing his arrogant pinko communistic gestapo thoughts and threatening disiplinary action?

Mr.GP-40,

Your comments are inflammatory and totally uncalled for! Please step down off the train.

 

[mackb4]

  Thats the one thing I like about this job.You can report an official for rule violations the same as they can.But we do have the job protection insurance and the union to back us up.Do they (the officials) ?

 And as far as who is representing their company better on a public forum...well let the readers of this forum draw a conclussion to that.If you really are an "official",act that way.Because when you mention that you are one,than your acting as an official in the readers eyes.So represent "your" company in a professional way.I've had one relative that was a Superintendent and several others that had official type jobs with the railroad,and they had respect from workers,because they showed respect. 

  As far as what type of loco. I like.Hands down the new EMD's.

 

      

 

      

 

          

[csxengineer98]

So, are you this sloppy on the job? Do you rush through safety issues in the same way? If you want to call yourself "csx engineer" in a public forum, then show some pride in yourself and the company.

i dont know you gp40...

Trust me, if you screw up on the job because you like to rush through things, I'm the last person at CSX you want to know. I have absolutely zero tolerance for sloppy employees.

Have a good day yourself.

 

first of all "pal".... ones spelling skills DO NOT reflect ones abilty to do train and engin  service craft jobs..just becoues my typeing skills might not be up to your "level of approval" in no way reflects my lack of ability to handle a train... 

also as far as your zero tolerance...good for you...im sure down in Jacksonville they have a nice power buro or upper level managment job all lined up for you... (LMAO and rolling eyes)  

as far as me screwing up... watch anyone doing there job long enought you will find a mistake...last time i checked trains still had HUMANS opporating them..and humans make mistakes from time to time...but i know how to do my job and im not sloopy at it by no means....  i do my job..and do it well..regardless if you think my spelling is a refection of my skills of being an engineer...

<>and on one last note... i hope you do find me doing something "wrong" becouse i have job insurance and would actuly get payed more to sit at home drinking beer and watching TV under my "suspention" while your out at 3am spying on crews being  called to derailments and sent to BFE locations for days and maybe weeks at at time away from your family becouse they are running out of crews to run the trains....

<>I bid you good day

<>csx engineer 

[MOJAX]

This is a slightly off topic question.

 

Which do you (engineers) prefer to operate the EMD’s or GE’s?