I took and passed my conductor’s exam today(all 11 in my class made it). I just wanted to thank everyone here again for their advice and knowledge as it was very helpful to my approach to this job and to my continued learning on this job. I have also been RCO certified(HAD to do it), and I will be finishing up my last 4 weeks of training with hostler OJT and suburban services training. Looks like Nov 20 will be my first day on the xtra board. Just in time for the HOLIDAYS. Take care and be safe.
9 out of 10 get divorced? Whoa! You crazy Canadians. I’ve been railroading stateside for a long time and I can’t hardly think it’s been more than 8 out of 10 here.
No, it’s really less than that but that was more fun to say. It just sounds like a high figure to me, 9 out of 10.
Congradulations you now are in the club of us strange but good hearted souls that now answer the phone in the middle of the night to the computer generated voice that orders you to go to work.
Congratulations. For those of us who wi***o live your life vicariously, could you provide a few more details like, home and away terminals and what routes you will be running so we know which trains to wave at?
It is November 24th. Are you out there in XL Land? Let us know how it’s going and remember to WATCH that slack and all the other stuff we told ya. All the best for a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day off, with any luck you won’t get many more this winter…
Please let me add my congratulations and thanks. For those us drawing Railroad Retirement, the efforts of you and all the other active railroad employees let us keep food on the table. (The food a the forum coffee shop and diner is good but not very filling.)
Let me add my congratulations! Let me know if you have any hunting or fishing equipment you want to sell, since it will be years before you’ll have time to use it again.
Thanks to one and all for the posts, they are greatly appreciated. I am officially on the brakemans XB out of the Cicero/Aurora location on BNSF as of Fri. Nov. 19. Talk about big culture shock, I don’t think anyone here overstated by any means the different world you are in when on an XB. It is definitely going to take some getting used to!!! But all is well so far. I got to work in my first freight job yesterday and of course Chicago gets hit with snow!! Got to pick up a couple of trains at the belt railyard and shuttle them to eola yard and cicero yard, where I went dead. Right now I’m 2x out but nothing’s showing til the morning suburbans(at least for now). Happy holidays to all and everyone be safe!!!
rrnut282,
My terminals are Aurora at home and Savanna and Lacrosse on the road. Worked suburbans mostly so far. Haven’t caught a road job yet but when I do I’ll moon the Rochelle webcam for ya…LOL
LC and CSXengineer,
Yes, I will NOT be getting off any moving equipment unless there is an emergency!!! (let’s hope not!!!)
Baberuth73,
Never been big into fishing but you could take my spot on my men’s softball team I coach. Won’t be doing that much this next year!!!