Ask a Railroad Conductor

[Est.July.4.1776]

Alright, so one thing I've learned about this job is that whenever I'm at a party, or just out and about and meeting new people, they often want to talk about the job when they find out what I do- I get the appeal as I've been fascinated with trains for most of my life. That said, I've done this before on AR15.com, and I'll get it rolling here, if you have any questions about the industry or my job, I'd be more than happy to discuss what it's like making a living on the big iron.

Also, we are the railroad currently holding the contract for both the Camaro (which I see loads of every now and again) and the Mustang (which I see loads of almost daily as the terminal I work out of handles about 90% of them)

It doesn't matter how trivial you think the question is, I'll answer it (but bear with me as my schedule keeps me away from home a lot)

[AdamZ]

Can you get me a job?

[Scooter11]

What did you think of the movie, "The Polar Express"
Loved that conductor, must be the Tom Hanks appeal...

[Est.July.4.1776]

Originally Posted by AdamZ

Can you get me a job?

http://www.cn.ca/en/careers

Same as the rest of us, but if you land an interview, let me know. I would have more pull in the Michigan Division than anywhere else, but even then there are many others with more pull than me.

[Est.July.4.1776]

Originally Posted by Scooter11

What did you think of the movie, "The Polar Express"
Loved that conductor, must be the Tom Hanks appeal...

Ha, he's my favorite actor- anyways, I dig the story, owned the original book, but still haven't watched the movie even though I own it...

Although, I have taken part in the restoration of the Pere Marquette 1225 Berkshire locomotive that currently resides about fifteen miles from me. here is a picture of my wife and I with it during boiler re-certification: (This locomotive was used by Spielberg's team to record the sounds for the movie)


(I also have a Lionel model of the 1225)

[Est.July.4.1776]

141 tons of sugar for J.M. Smucker's... you're welcome, people.

[Scooter11]

Originally Posted by Est.July.4.1776

Ha, he's my favorite actor- anyways, I dig the story, owned the original book, but still haven't watched the movie even though I own it...

Although, I have taken part in the restoration of the Pere Marquette 1225 Berkshire locomotive that currently resides about fifteen miles from me. here is a picture of my wife and I with it during boiler re-certification: (This locomotive was used by Spielberg's team to record the sounds for the movie)


(I also have a Lionel model of the 1225)

Wow I didn't know that! Trains certainly are cool!

[Bhobbs]

Wasn't the movie locomotive based on a Nickle Plate Railroad Berkshire?

[Jay_LHD3]

What would be a typical work week for you? (hours, task, etc.)

[CamaroSkooter]

Originally Posted by Jay_LHD3

What would be a typical work week for you? (hours, task, etc.)

I'm curious about this as well. And as an extension, how long is a typical or average round trip?

I imagine it's something similar to a long-haul trucker type round trip, but I have always been curious if the train ever stops for the conductor to sleep...

[c_LoW29]

Can you make a 2014 z28 fall off the train "accidently" and somehow end up in my parking spot?

[Reineke]

What kind of wildlife have you hit?

[Est.July.4.1776]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

Wasn't the movie locomotive based on a Nickle Plate Railroad Berkshire?

Same locomotive, different railroad. The Pere Marquette Berkshire is 1225, and is the sister loco to the NP 765 you're thinking of... but with the "1225" road number, it has that "Christmas" tie in.

[Est.July.4.1776]

Originally Posted by Jay_LHD3

What would be a typical work week for you? (hours, task, etc.)

It depends on your seniority, but in my position I am lower in seniority, so I'm on call six days, off for one, on call for five days, off for two. Right now, we're a little short on manpower so we're working a ton, but my schedule is never typical. IE: on my last trip I went to work at 20:00 one night, the next night at 17:00, and now I'm just waiting for a call... Could work days, could work nights, you never know what's coming, and if you get called going into your day off, it shifts your day(s) off.

As for tasks, it varies... on a yard assignment, I'm tasked with switching out cars and lining everything up for the long haul trains (road trains), and occasionally this job also includes short line customer service stuff, like taking a few cars to a lumber yard or scrap yard, as well as servicing General Motors (where I'm at)... My yard services a GM Assembly plant, a metal fab plant and a service parts operations plant, so we're quite busy all the time. On a road assignment, I'm in control of everything... it's my job to dictate the speed of the train to the engineer, pay attention for speed restrictions, ensure that the freight is properly marshaled (placed within the train correctly since some hazardous cars have to contain a certain number of buffer cars between it and the locomotive or tail end), speak with the dispatcher as necessary and observe signals... when we stop at a yard to set cars out or pick cars up, it's my job to hop down and perform that work.