I am looking to hire on with CSX in the future (1 to 1.5 years). I know that math (not my strong suit) is pretty important in this job but I was wondering, to what extent it is used. (i.e. what kinds of math are used?) (examples would be appreciated)
Thanks.
simple math such as addtion and subtraction is about all you realy need to know in the math department… your adding and taking cars away from trains…not preforming mathimatical calulations to launch the space shuttle… as far as expamples… your train has 100 cars… you are instructed to set 10 cars off at a yard or sideing… 100-10=90… then you at the next work station you are to pick up 20 cars off an industry track… 90+20=110… i think you get the point… and at the end of the day for your time card you keep track of total cars handled…so it would be 120 cars handled for the train… also adding up total axles on the engins and train so you can check it with the defect detectors so you know you have all your cars you supost to have… ir in the case of an engineer… the number of axles alowed online for power or dynmaic braking…but that is also just simple addition and subtraction… nothing more is realy needed…and if you run out of fingers…you can use a caculator… (its not cheating lol)…
csx engineer
Believe me, you’ll want to compare what you think you’ve earned after a day’s work with what the railroad says you’ve earned.
“First defect, axle 29”. How many cars do you walk back if your train has three Dash 9s for power?
Minimum flagging distance 10,000 feet. Your mile-marker says you’re at a “3/4” milepost. Assuming the mileposts are going down, how many quarter-miles are you going to have to pass. Or, on a typical CSX line with 25 poles to a mile, how many poles should you count?
Dispatcher wants you in the clear of a certain point in twenty minutes because of opposing traffic. You’re six miles away, sitting at a control point. You have the typical one horsepower or less per ton of train. Can you bring it up to track speed (30 m.p.h) and get your head end 7000 feet past the dispatcher’s point in time, or are you going to have to tell him you can’t move out of the way?
Or, if you want to have fun: you’re on a typical locomotive, with a flat spot on the wheel underneath you. To avoid being put to sleep by the monotony of it all, you decide to use the wheel’s thump-thump-thump to figure out how fast you’re going. The wheel is 42 inches in diameter (or was, before the flat spot). How many seconds does it take for the number of thumps to equal your track speed?
Initial terminal brake test requires the train line to be charged to 90psi…the train line pressure at the rear of the train must be within 15psi of the reading on the engineers console to conduct a brake test…what is the minimum pressure reading you can have at the rear of the train?..math like that…
Algebra, trigonometry and geometry are not required.
Most of what you will face will require simple, basic common sense.
If it doesn’t make sense to you, don’t do it, it is probably wrong…ask someone first, guessing only gets you in trouble.
As Carl said, you will want to compare what your time slips and your paycheck say…it is up to you and your union rep to correct any discrepancies, the carries will not audit itself and if your pay is short, they could care less.
Either keep a written record in your time/ crew consist book, which your union rep or shop foreman will give you, or print out your time slips on the tie up computer, and keep those…check it against you pay check.
I always hated story problems! [D)]
Hey there Railfan,
Math is really not that big of an issue. You will need to pass some basic technical reading and comprehension test along with a visual accuity test for color blindness. You will take this during your initial invitation to an interview.
Having the desire to do the job is good, however the company that I work for likes to hire people that have a strong work history. You will get to work a lot for about 90 days “THIS IS CALLED CUBBING.” Then you will be promoted and set free…
In all actuality, you will get rolled on and off the extra board depending how busy your terminal is. Remember that seniority is everything… Keep a good attitude and always look for other training oppourtunities as they come available. Don’t mark off and stay safe.
If you can do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on an $8 hand held calculator, that’s about as complicated as it gets.
Conductors in road freight service are responsible for knowing how many loads and empties are in the train at any one time plus its total tonnage and length. The railroad will furnish you with these figures out of the initial terminal and may also furnish them if you setout and pickup only work that is scheduled to your train. Anything beyond scheduled work will require your making a reasonable estimate.
Doubling a train up a hill happens when there isn’t enough horsepower to lift it in one piece. The crew takes the front half up the hill and puts that half away in a siding. They return for the rear half of the train, and likewise pull that half up the hill. Upon reaching the front half, the crew reassembles the train, performs the required air brake tests, and then continues on. Given the density of traffic on many of today’s signalled mainlines, this practice is seldom done because it would result in too many train delays. Thus, the conductor is responsible for knowing the minimum required horsepower per trailing ton applicable to each grade and subdivision thereby making sure that the train does not stall when climbing hills.
In single track territory, the conductor has to keep in mind the maximum allowable train length for purposes of being able to occupy the appropriate sidings to effect train meets or trains passing. Adding cars indiscriminately can really foul up an operation.
When working through certain mountain territories, the conductor will need to calculate tons per equivalent dynamic brake axle and tons
you always tell them you can make it unless your dead in the water with power issues…lol… better to be moving and the DS gets alittle upset becouse his master plan didnt come together 100% the way he wanted it… then to sit for a few more hours waiting for another train to meet… of course if your on OT or you need more sleep…then of course your not going to clear in time and will be happy to sit alittle longer…lol…
csx engineer
Back in the early 70’s I worked for the CNW. An old engineer told me that when he hired out you could not have more than a third grade education. I asked why and was told that the trainmasters didn’t want anyone smarter than them working there. I’d say you might need more than a third grade education today. Simple math skills are all that would be needed. Good reading and spelling skills too. Best of luck.
Thanks for the replies and information. Yeah, I’ve got the basic stuff down (and a tad of commonsence lol…)
To get a railroad job, is it worthwhile attending one of the academies, like the NARS in Overland Park Kansas or the Modoc in California?
Only if the railroad tells you it is, from what I’ve heard. Most railroads will provide the training you need.
I think it’s only CSX that requires you to go to one of the academies. NS, BNSF, and I think UP give you their own training course.
Approximately 2.38 seconds…
EDIT: No, wait, I have that wrong. Gotta figure the CIRCUMFERENCE of the wheel- which makes it 7.5 seconds.
Well, Brian, now that you’ve spoiled that project, all Lance is going to have to do is tell time! (How long before overtime kicks in, how long before you can go to beans, etc.)
Your answer is right on the money!
Oops, sorry… I couldn’t resist.[:D]
Like everyone said, your basic addition and subtraction are more commonly used. If you can do that you’ll be fine, and if you can’t you’ll still be fine. CSX wants robots, and not people who think for themselves. The most important mathmatical equasion is YOU+ PERSONAL INJURY= NO JOB. You can be a good employee and do everything by the book all day, but if you have a personal injury you will be discarded. To them you are disposable. Sorry if I sound bitter but I speak from experience, but I in no way am saying you shouldn’t go for it. I enjoy this line of work, but just be careful and grow eyes in the back of your head.
its not just csx…every carrier is the same way…the only differnce between them is the paint on the engins and the logo on the pay checks…
csx engineer
sad but true
Pie are square no no no pie are round corn bread are square lol, just kidding just basic math is all you need at the testing, and do not forget about the story math I.E. if Johney has 5 apples and gives Suzy 3 apples how many apples does Johney have left.
Rodney