Question For the Real Railroaders

[Eboy87]

When you're called for a train, do you run the same route time after time? Example: if a crew is called in St. Louis, would they run only on the Jeff City Sub, or could they conceivably be operating over the DeSoto Sub one trip, and the Jeff City Sub later in the week?

Also, when you're called, do they simply tell you a train and terminal, and its then up to you when you get there to figure out what power is assigned to your train, or is that information relayed to you during the call?

 

[JCitron]

Ian,

Check out Joe's articles here on running trains. I believe this says it all.

http://www.railroad.net/articles/columns/hottimes/index.php

John

 

[cascaderailroad]

You have to be qualified at running a route, instructed by a tutoring engineer, that was once tutored on the same route, and you must know the whistle posts, signals and junctions by heart.

You can be qualified on many lines, and can sign up for whatever route becomes available, first come first serve, to engineers with seniority. If you are the low seniority you get the to run the carpy line, at the worst time. Engineers fight over who gets the holiday schedule, as pay may be quadruple time.

I think that loco consists are already set up at the engine house "Ready Track", predetermined by a hostler, that is instructed by corporate trainmaster. You are instructed to take a prearranged loco consists from say: Camden (Pavonia) NJ Enginehouse, to South Phila, and couple to train ZZB36, on 14 Departure, after coordinating with the local yardmasters instructions.

Some crews only transport engine consists from terminal to terminal, and are taxied back, for another assignment of running engines light, to various terminals.

Some yard crews only "Clean Up" the yard at night, shifting and sorting cars about, assembling them on the proper departure tracks.