The First Week

So, my post today comes with an apology.  I wasn't prepared for the volume of information I would have to go over while I was here, and I have had little time to do much else except study.  Let me fill you in on my last two weeks here at the REDI.

After orientation, we started off week one with an introduction to the railroad.  There was some basic terminology that we were taught, along with a very brief discussion about how we fit in to the big picture.  I've noticed in the brief period of time I've been with the railroad that what I do, and what people think I do are, how does one say, a little different. Don't get me wrong, I understand the misconceptions. Trying to find out exactly what it is that conductors do was tough even for me after I got this job.  Unless you know someone who works for the railroad, (which, fortunately I do), I think you'd have an easier time figuring out what they did with the alien bodies after Roswell, than finding out what a conductor does.   So, I thought I would explain a little bit about what it is that I do.

I'm a freight conductor.  We are tasked with the delivery of freight train cars to and from businesses, government, industrial centers, rail yards, etc.  In rail yards,

conductors break down incoming trains, switch around cars, and build new ones.  On the road, we maintain contact with the train dispatchers (who are much like air traffic controllers for the railroad).  We also flip switches, set brakes, connect air hoses, and run train crews.  We do not, unfortunately, operate the trains.  Engineers operate the locomotives, while we help keep track of the rest of the train.  Also, and much to my dismay, we no longer wear overalls (although, I may have seen a couple of the older guys here for engineering school sporting them) or the striped hats.  Instead, we dress more like this guy:

and when you're new, you get to wear a stylish bright yellow reflective hat,

(that I'm convinced also operates as a beacon for the International Space Station). There are a few other things we get to do but this is the gist of our main responsibilities.  Sorry everyone. No overalls, no striped hats, and no choo choo driving.

The culture here at CSX is focused on safety above all else, and the better part of the first week was spent going over it.  They have rules in place here that may seem odd to someone outside of this environment.  The core value of the company, "Safety is a way of Life," is no joke.  We have a rule book that is about 100 pages or so and it covers EVERYTHING, from how to ride in a car, to the proper way to sit in a chair, no kidding.  I don't think the military was ever this thorough when it came to specific rules to address everything that you will do in your day to day life. One rule in particular that gets a lot of us in trouble is the cell phone rule.  At school, they aren't allowed out, unless you are in a specific place to use them.  It's a huge violation of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules, and can lead to getting fined and losing your job if you get caught out in the yard using your phone.

The last part of the first week was focused on the ladder hang practicals.  I was warned before I got to the REDI that there are people who don't pass this part of the school, and I guess that's why they do it in the first week.  It involves climbing up on a ladder and throwing hand signals for four minutes. Here's what our setup looks like:

It wasn't too bad, but there were a few guys who had some trouble with it.  Everyone ended up passing though.  Why would you need to hang from a ladder for four minutes? I'm glad you asked.  Part of our job requires us to ride on the front end of rail cars while an engine is shoving them around and give signals to the engineer about what actions to take since he can't see the other side of the cars.  It sounds absolutely thrilling, except we don't get to that until the end of this week.  I'm not going to lie, I am totally going to feel like Nathan Drake

hanging from a ladder like that...a much more safe, steady, not hanging on with one hand Nathan Drake, (love you mom).

And that was just the first week! What can I say, but wow, this job is going to be fun! I know I said I'd fill you in about the second week too, but I'll do that over the next day or two.  I've got a big test to study for tomorrow, and I've got to hit the books (in the safest, most non-injury inducing way possible)! Until next time :)