Workboots for Norfolk Southern

[vlmuke]

I will be starting at NS as a conductor trainee in a couple of weeks they told me to wear my workboots to the meeting I heard that once you are there  they check your boots to see if they are the right kind but I was not told what kind, something about they need a defined heel the boots I usually wear are speedlace combat boots, since I would be leaving the next day for training in GA I want to make sure I have the right kind, rather than try to run out that evening and try to find some before I leave, are they looking for certain brands? or what exactly are they wanting, Could anybody tell me what they want or are looking for as I am unsure what they mean by a defined heel

Thanks

Rich 

[coborn35]

Redwing, or Carharrt.

[Road Foreman]

Rich,

What you need is a boot that has a defined heel with not less than a 45 degree angle and a defined leather upper portion that will give good support and is not less than 6 inches from the bottom of the boot to the top.

Bob

[CMSTPP]

Redwing has a good line of boots. They can last for years and railroads do like them. They have steel toe boot. But you must remember, since Redwing is a really good company your going to pay a good amount of money. approximately $250.00. But they can last for about 5 or so years.

 I have also heard that Carhart is a good line, but I have not dealt with the boot before so I can't say a lot about it.

I will recommend Redwing for you.

Happy railroading

James

[Rodney Beck]

I work for BNSF and I have redwings they are modle 2408 they have a spungy sole, and work great on ballest The last pair I got cost about 175.00$, when I was a conductor I would get about 2 years out of them know that I am a locomotive engineer iam going on 3 years with this pair. On BNSF the company pays 100.00$ of the cost with the rest comeing out in 2 checks iam supprised that the NS does not have the same agreement on safety shoes with the unions.

 

Rodney

[Nora]

Right out of the rule book:

Protective footwear:

Upper portion must be constructed of leather or leather-like material that provides firm ankle support and fits snugly about the foot, ankle, and leg. Footwear must be 6 inches minimum in height as measured from the bottom of the heel to the top of the uppers. Soles and heels must be sturdy, non-leather and in good condition.

Must have a defined heel of no less than a 45-degree angle to the walking surface with a minimum height of 3/8 inches as measured between the bottom of the heel and the bottom of the sole.

It is recommended that employees whose duties regularly require ascending and descending ladders, poles, structures, and/or mounting and dismounting rail equipment wear protective footwear having a 90 degree heel as measured vertically between the bottom of the heel and the bottom of the sole.

They don't have to be any particular brand. Mine are in fact $49.95 Skechers work boots; I've worn them every day (even when not at work) for 2 years and they are still going strong. What they are saying about the defined heel is that they should have a nice sharp angle between the shoe and the heel...and since you'll be mounting and dismounting equipment, the front edge of your heel should be vertical (perpendicular to the rest of your sole).

[arbfbe]

Your GI footwear should meet all the requirements.  Boots should also have a steel shank in the bottom of the sole for protection against sharp objects like nails or steel shards penetrating from beneath the sole into the foot.  That sharp break between the heel and the sole is very important.  Even if they will not let you get on or off moving equipment all of the grabirons are round pieces of metal polished and painted over the years and very slippery when wet like in the rain.

If the current combat boots do not meet RR spec then a good pair of black leather ones or the canvas boots no longer used probably will be.