Ngaged: Don't worry about the frustration here on the forum. I appreciate you giving us this information as you are certainly in a position to know. There is truth in all of this. I know that I was almost comatose by the time I finished working for United Airlines, an analagous situation. I would think that it is also true for attorneys, CPAs, truck drivers, yard maintenance men, petroleum engineers, computer engineers, etc. depending on where they are "trapped." Again, thank you for sharing this information. I may have been frustrated with the company I worked for, but each week, their name was on the bottom of the check. Might as well do it like they say to do it! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Exactly..say what I want about them, but the checks don't bounce...and I have a wife to take care of...I promised I would to her father...that goes higher than anything as small as my ego....I do the job regardless of whether I like it or not becuase it keeps her safe with a roof over her head..... Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
We had/have that problem where mgt is quick to blame train crew for everyproblem that occurs. Early last yr it kinda came to a showdown. Commuters were unhappy because trains were late, so mgt turned around and blamed the drivers for driving too slowly (not the umpteen thousand speed restrictions cause the track is falling apart), this on top of a lack of drivers most if not all to work upto 12days a fortnight, substandard amenities. so the drivers said no more, signed for their days off and the system fell to pieces. It went on for a while first the union sided with mgt then they slowly came around and even though they couldn't fully do so as it was declared an industrial action which is illegal without notification. but in a sense the drivers got what they kind off wanted, in improvements to amenities and hiring of more drivers, plus an overtime bonus payment. Mgt has finnaly turned around and blamed the late trains on increased safety aspects and are now using that spin to cut more trains out of a "new superimproved timetable" HA!!!!! you'll be able to hear the screams of commuter frustration from across the Pacific Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I believe that the deadly JNR commuter derailment and crash into an apartment building earlier this year was the result of a driver with 11 months experience being so intimidated by managment that he panicked and oversped his train to make up being 20 seconds late to schedule at the previous station. Sadly, too often management has no idea of how their uninformed words and attitudes are perceived by the rank and file.... Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Ok, 'm New but I want to go a slightly diffrent direction, I < we http://www.nmrhs.org/ >GRIN<> have a Locomotive, and have a good relationship with the BNSF, when our rebuild is finshed <5-6 years more> we will need 4 cab crews, for when we run excursions. What I need to Know is what I need to do to get up to speed so as to be able to tackle Raton Pass in 2011... We have a set of the BNSF regs and the Amtrack regs and an Agressive safety program... Where do I go from here. Gunns Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
First of all...you need qualified engineers....class one types.. [ July 27, 2005, 01:36 AM: Message edited by: Ngaged ] Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Well, the SBRHS put up this page we are listed, http://www.sbrhs.org/484com.html The SBRHS are more or less our "Mentors" and have provided much of the needed information for our restoration. The 2926 is the youngest of the 2900s left, and perhaps the most modern steamer to come out of the AT&SF with all rollerbearing side rods, ATS, monitoring of the exaust steam temprature, Superheaters, and advanced auto lubrecation. The 2900s were rated to 110 MPH and have a Drawbar pull caculated at 86,000+ LB, wish there was some track left that would let us "Run" at speed.... Still the need for training is down the road a ways, <report of progress in the BNSF fourm> we still estimate 5 or 6 years till the finish of our restoration. View from the last driver looking forward over the rods. Gunns Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Some of these schools offering conductor training programs reccomend that you have no fear of heights. I hate airplane rides, but can handle being up 15 feet or so without a big problem. Do I need to know anything in terms of height on the job? I know there are high bridges and stuff but I'm not worried about riding across one. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
========================= The reason for the height thing is if you have a car with a rooftop height handbrake, and there are still many of them around, mostly hoppers. As for riding across a bridge, of any height, you will do that in the locomotive cab, not on the side or end of a car. CT Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
