Workin for the railroad

[Joe Fox]

Hello everyone,

For those who might not have heard yet, I am now working for a freight railroad in Maine. I left Conway Scenic back in September and have passed all my tests and will soon be out of training. Unfortunately my time at the WW&F over the next two years or so will be limited. On the plus side I am following my dreams.  It is very diffetent, but I am enjoyong it and look foward to being with the railroad fot the next 38 years provided I can still retire at 60 when the time comes. Hopefully I can make it to the work weekend in April but Im not sure. I look foward to seeing you all again soon.

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Good luck Joe.

There may not be railroads 38 years from now. Heck, there may not be a United States 38 years from now (or even sooner)!

Let's hope we're wrong on both counts.

Richard

[Dave Buczkowski]

Joe;
But there will be a WW&F Ry Museum 38 years from now! Good luck on your new position. I guess your father and sister will have to pick up the slack for you.
Dave

[Keith Taylor]

Joe...always keep in mind that a train can be moving on any track and in any direction at any time.

Keith  

[Stephen Piwowarski]

Congratulations Joe!
I second Keith's point... My grandfather was hired on by the New York Central at the height of the Great Depression specifically because someone didn't follow those rules.
Be safe out there,
Steve

[Joe Fox]

Thats for sure. I have a real appreciation for the size and weight of the equipment so I make surebefore doing anything that the slack has settled down and that there is nothing rolling towards me on adjacent tracks. I have found this really important where kicking cars occurs in big yards as equipment can come from no where and sneak up on you very quick.

[Keith Taylor]

Joe....you also need to know that even though you "think" the slack has settled out, it may still start moving.
If you have tank cars with loads like acid, they can surge for up to a half hour after the train has stopped. The most difficult to operate train I ever ran was the Tropicanna orange juice train.

Keith

[Bill Sample]

Joe, when I started observing railroads back in the 1950s they did seem to be on their way out - but over the past several years they seem to be making a comeback in many areas.  Here in Connecticut there are dozens of miles that were out of service from the 1970s that are back in operation today.  They are reinstalling the second track through the station I work at and a retired Amtrak track foreman has been hired by the contractor working on that project - he told me "I ripped out track 2 now I am putting it back" and told me that made him feel good. 
I believe you are entering the industry at a good time and your employer seems to have had a good revival over the past year.

[Jock Ellis]

Joe, what railroad are you working on all the live long day?

[Joe Fox]

I have found that the clay slurry cars are the worst to work with when they are loaded. Most tanks handle the same but i have noticed on a train with loaded tanks if they are towards then end will slam into you beyond belief when braking.

[John McNamara]

I have found that the clay slurry cars are the worst to work with when they are loaded. Most tanks handle the same but i have noticed on a train with loaded tanks if they are towards then end will slam into you beyond belief when braking.

Can the conductor arrange to have these cars in a better position, i.e. closer to the front? If so, I know of a very capable new conductor who will solve this problem!

-John

[Joe Fox]

Unfortunately the clay tanks go towards the rear due to its destination. And most places taking the clay tanks are in the 3rd or 4th block of cars. It is far different than I expected but I enjoy it.