Going to renew my driver’s license this year. [:0] No comments!
So now I want to know - briefly - I get hired on a railroad. What is the process after the hiring? It used to be 2 student trips and a new fireman would work with an engineer. But now - ?
And what authorizes you to run an engine? My car requires a drivers license.
What does the railroad give you - a framed certificate of completing your student trips, a plaque with your name engraved in gold, or a tattoo on your …?
Since there is no fireman to engineer, where do engineers come from? (take it easy on this one!)
You don’t have to get too graphic, since I am able to follow along pretty well.
Mookie:
When I graduated from Engineers School, I received a diploma, then went out as a student for 6 weeks, then started as a fireman (on-the-job training [pun intended]). Then after a period of time [determined by the “Travelling Engineer”], the “traveller” rode with me on a trip to ascertain my skill level. It was the travellers’ decision as to whether I was "qualified’. Around 1990 or so, the government implemented a program of Federal Engineers Licence. It had to be renewed every five years. It was subject to being revoked, withheld, or suspended depending on the rule violation. At the same time, rules were put in effect that subjected the engineer to federal fines for rule violations, as well as discipline from the railroad. The licence was valid for every railroad, and every engineer is required to have one.
Retired from the UP a little over a year ago and they get their engineers by hiring them as switchman (where applicable) or conductors, give them training as needed and after 1 year start them in a engineer training program that consits of classroom and field training with regular engineers.
They receive a license similar to drivers license and must carry it when they are operating a locomotive. They are observed yearly and requalified as required by federal law.
You start at the bottom, switchman/brakeman. As you seniority increases, you can hold better jobs. At some point, the carrier offers engineer classes, again, based on your seniority, you apply for the class. Accepted into the class, you have a several weeks of in-house class, rules and procedure classes, then you get the hands on training. You are assigned to a teacher engineer, who helps and coaches you on your student trips. Graduation is when the road foreman of engines rides with you on a trip, and decides your qualified. The railroad applies to the FRA, submits your records, and then issues you a license based on the OK from the FRA.
At least that how it works here on the PTRA.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
I am not sure, but I know there was a “book of rules” school every so often. Do they still do that and does that also determine whether you keep your license?
During my time on the RR (1973-1992), the Book of Rules test was only given once–at the end of training class. Passing the test was required for promotion to either Conductor or Engineer (depending on the class of service one entered, either train or engine).
On the UP, requirements for rules exams have recently been lessened from every two years to every three. Engineers, however, are required to take an exam every year. It’s a special recertification exam (I’m not an engineer, so I don’t have all of the details).
Trainmen who qualify as RCOs (Remote Control Operators) will also have to take exams more frequently (I’m not interested in becoming an RCO, so I haven’t picked up the details on that, either). For initial RCO qualification (which I do have to go through), we have to consent to a state and national driver’s license search, to see about any convictions we may have; as well as have a vision and hearing exam. Those exams, which I took yesterday, showed me that I’m getting old! (But I still refuse to grow up!)
I once was pulling a cut of cars down a city street. As I eased up to a traffic light, a yellow VW beetle cut me off! The bottom step of my SW1 ripped the guy’s door off. A lady traffic cop was called in; she said, “I’ve never done this before with an engine. I guess I need to see your driver’s license.” We were going to keep my car insurance out of it. I said, “The B&O Rail Road Company is my authority to operate this engine; I don’t need a driver’s license.” (We had all heard horror stories of cops after the engineer’s license after an accident on the streets. That was the correct response.) Shoot, all the street tracks are gone today. That was some different railroading out there.
Every year i take a rules exam and every year a road forman has to ride with me. this is to stay current and keep my qualifacation as a engineer. when the railroad needs engineers they are promoted from the conductors senority toster. when they are told to report for school and sit down in class that is when they establi***heir firemans senority. and when in training will get paid at a firemans rate til qualified to be a engineer… As far as the vision goes it is like your stae divers lic. if you have 20/40 you pass otherwise if you get 20/20 with corrective lenses you pass. and you lic will reflect this, and when running a engine you better have your glasses on.
[:D]You has a senority toaster? Heck, I got a old coffee pot, the kind that perks. Now all we need is a hot plate and a can of ranch beans.[8D]
Stay Frosty,
Ed
Going to renew my driver’s license this year. [:0] No comments!
So now I want to know - briefly - I get hired on a railroad. What is the process after the hiring? It used to be 2 student trips and a new fireman would work with an engineer. But now - ?
And what authorizes you to run an engine? My car requires a drivers license.
What does the railroad give you - a framed certificate of completing your student trips, a plaque with your name engraved in gold, or a tattoo on your …?
Since there is no fireman to engineer, where do engineers come from? (take it easy on this one!)
You don’t have to get too graphic, since I am able to follow along pretty well.
Mookie:
When I graduated from Engineers School, I received a diploma, then went out as a student for 6 weeks, then started as a fireman (on-the-job training [pun intended]). Then after a period of time [determined by the “Travelling Engineer”], the “traveller” rode with me on a trip to ascertain my skill level. It was the travellers’ decision as to whether I was "qualified’. Around 1990 or so, the government implemented a program of Federal Engineers Licence. It had to be renewed every five years. It was subject to being revoked, withheld, or suspended depending on the rule violation. At the same time, rules were put in effect that subjected the engineer to federal fines for rule violations, as well as discipline from the railroad. The licence was valid for every railroad, and every engineer is required to have one.
Retired from the UP a little over a year ago and they get their engineers by hiring them as switchman (where applicable) or conductors, give them training as needed and after 1 year start them in a engineer training program that consits of classroom and field training with regular engineers.
They receive a license similar to drivers license and must carry it when they are operating a locomotive. They are observed yearly and requalified as required by federal law.