jester3681 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 ... when I'm in my 16,000 ton train doing 40. Sorry to vent here, but you guys seem like a good forum to hear it. Twice in as many trips, I had a police car dart across the tracks in front of me. They both turned their lights on just before they went over and turned them off once they cleared. Now, I have nothing but respect for our men and women in blue, but all those lights mean to me on a train is that the explosion will be more colorful. Let's not make this a physics lesson, but 16,000 tons will not stop before I hit you, lights and sirens or not. And me hitting you in my train is like you hitting a bird in your car. I'll notice it, certainly. There may even be some crap on the windshield. But it's not going to hurt me (though it will most likely kill you), and it most certainly won't hurt my engine which weighs 468,000 pounds and is designed to plow its own snow at 20 mph in the winter.Sorry for the rant. That is all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Were these close calls? Like seconds to spare or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wht_scorpion Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 What school do you have to go to drive a train jester sound like a cool job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester3681 Posted August 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Chevy - Close enough to complain about - lights flashing, gates down.Scorpion - I'm just a conductor now, not driving them yet. You go to a school for 6 weeks to train and then on the job for about 5 months. It's a fun job, but it's a lifestyle. You spend your life waiting for the phone to ring - no set schedule, really no days off. You have to have a very understanding wife/family - luckily, I married a railroader's daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper_308 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 ... when I'm in my 16,000 ton train doing 40. Sorry to vent here, but you guys seem like a good forum to hear it. Twice in as many trips, I had a police car dart across the tracks in front of me. They both turned their lights on just before they went over and turned them off once they cleared. Now, I have nothing but respect for our men and women in blue, but all those lights mean to me on a train is that the explosion will be more colorful. Let's not make this a physics lesson, but 16,000 tons will not stop before I hit you, lights and sirens or not. And me hitting you in my train is like you hitting a bird in your car. I'll notice it, certainly. There may even be some crap on the windshield. But it's not going to hurt me (though it will most likely kill you), and it most certainly won't hurt my engine which weighs 468,000 pounds and is designed to plow its own snow at 20 mph in the winter.Sorry for the rant. That is all I hear you. My father would always tell me stories about this all the time. He has been on locomotives, and hit and killed people. My old man just retired two years ago, with almost 52 years. Our family comes from railroaders, and Law Enforcement. My dad worked on the famous New York Central 20th Century Limted. I almost was going to work on the RR, but my dad said I would have no home life. I know you guys make great money. Stay safe out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent2406 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Have you reported these incidents? They're not over and beyond the law, they should be reported. Are there cameras on the trains recording everything? You would think there would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wht_scorpion Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Chevy - Close enough to complain about - lights flashing, gates down.Scorpion - I'm just a conductor now, not driving them yet. You go to a school for 6 weeks to train and then on the job for about 5 months. It's a fun job, but it's a lifestyle. You spend your life waiting for the phone to ring - no set schedule, really no days off. You have to have a very understanding wife/family - luckily, I married a railroader's daughter.where is the schools names and the classes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper_308 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 where is the schools names and the classesIf you're going to work for a RR, this is the one to work for. My old man just retired from CSX. He was making over a 100k a year. Great job, but no life. http://www.csx.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Hey Jester,CSX Locomotive Engineer here.Little late, but welcome to the Forum.Do you work out of Parsons?I'm mainly Marysville and the Van Yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester3681 Posted August 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Yeah, I work for CSX. Apply online - the school is through them. Kent - Most of the newer engines an even some older ones do have cameras.Sniper - I married in to a railroad family, so I had a better idea than most what I was getting in to. You're right, you make good money, you're just never home to spend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester3681 Posted August 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 TrainDriver - yeah, I work out of Parsons, protect the C&O side, although I've been getting called for the Conrail stuff a lot since I'm one of the only ones on my side qualified to Avon. Speaking of which, off I go. See you on the rail, sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted August 8, 2011 Report Share Posted August 8, 2011 I unload trains...LOL... do any of your guys service Mt Vernon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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