Most of you probably know, I’m a Yardmaster in medium size Class I terminal. Currently, we are short a few Trainmasters. In recognition of my Operations savvy, I was asked to step-in, like I did before.
Apparently, not having learned my lesson the first time, agreed. [8D] So be safe out there guys.
Nick
[%-)]Congratulations? on the promotion, I think.
Nick:
Would you mind describing the difference between the two jobs. My take on it is a yardmaster is in charge of a specific terminal or yard and the roadmaster is the supervisor for a specific section of track. If that is basically correct, could you please go into a bit of detail about the specifics of each job?
Thanks and good luck,
ed
Nick, I’ll refrain from congratulating you and just wish you luck–at least for now. Try to stay gracious and cool as you’re caught in the middle repeatedly.
At least you have a clue! I was just looking over a derailment report for a colleague–it was penned by an officer I’d never heard of (he had the nerve to be named Carl!), and was clever enough to match the job with the employee, but didn’t know that said job and employee (colleague) were not responsible for the track on which the derailment occurred! He never even bothered to come up and talk to the operator.
I’ve had little trouble with trainmasters in my career–even those who are complained about often by others. It’s been my experience that the good ones try to be troubleshooters; the bad ones are just troublemakers.
On most properties Yardmasters are contract (union) employees. They supervise movement within a yard. In large terminals, they may only control a portion of a yard - large hump facilities will often have separate YMs for the Arrival/Departure yards and Hump. In smaller terminals, they can be responsible for the main yard and any minor outlaying yards.
Yardmasters are typically the first point of contact for the crews, customers, and other railroad departments. They plan for the arrival and departure of road trains and transfer runs, create switchlists for yard and local crews, handle customer car requests, and verify Right Car Right Train, and Car Standing and ensure that trains are properly built. Some places, YMs also track 30/60/90 Hour cars, and handle power assignments.
Trainmasters are non-contract employees, - Company Officers. They are tasked to conduct Operational Tests, respond to and investigate incidents, and assess disciplinary action. They may also represent the Company to the public.
Line of Road Trainmasters are responsible for a given section of track, usually between major terminals. They respond to incidents, UDEs (undesired emergency brake application), derailments, broken knuckles, grade crossing and trespasser strikes, etc. They also handle line of road customer issues.
Terminal Trainmasters are responsible for a terminal, and supervise the Yardmasters. They have the same general duties as a YM, plus the added Officer duties. Many places the Trainmasters, handle the power assignments, and also crew balancing.
The Roadmaster, is the MoW supervisor for a given section of track.
Nick
Nick -
Good luck.
I hope they are giving you a company car. As I recall our TM put quite a few miles on his car before he could convince Sr. Management to spring for one.
I’ll look forward to hearing more about your experiences…
LC
Bragging,or complaining ? [%-)]
I was asked to try yardmastering almost 16 years ago by my trainmaster then.He knew my family who worked for the N&W that was yardmasters,conductors and one Superintendent.I told him no because he put in more hours than I did.He looked at me and said,"Your a very smart young man.You’ll have more time at home,being days to take off and not answer a phone,and when your on vacation,your on vacation ".He never asked me again.
So think wisely.I know alot of people who took supervisor jobs only to come back to their tools because of all the crap their higher ups put them thru.[2c]
Great explanation. Thanks and best of luck.
So, does the roadmaster and the trainmaster report to the Superintendent? I have always been interested in the lines of authority in organizations. This is interesting. Surprized that a Yardmaster is a union rank and file. Nothing against the union workers, but it is a position in which the person seems to have to straddle the line between his/her brotherhood and the company. That can be rough to do at times.
ed
Having put in a little over a year in first-level supervision in a different line of work, most of the posts have a familiar ring, especially regarding pay. My wife wondered what kind of promotion I got because my paychecks were smaller (no OT as a super). The position provided a generally positive experience and I learned a lot.
Frankly, the railroads would be much happier if Yardmasters were Company Officers, rather then contract employees. As contract employees, YMs can not actually “order” anyone to do anything. We instead provide “instructions”. As an Officer, the fine line we walk would be eliminated.
The railroad chain of command is well confusing. Chains of command exsist within each department, but only at the division level is there someone in command across department lines.
The Operating Department is organized something like this:
Terminal Areas:
Conductor → Yardmaster → Trainmaster → Terminal Manager/Superintendent → Director/Supervisor of Train Operations → Assistent Division Manager → Division Manager
Line of Road:
Conductor → Dispatcher → Chief Dispatcher → STO → ADM → Division Manager.
Of course, there’s also the Line of Road Trainmaster and Road Foreman of Engines, who also have authority over train crews, which can create conflicts with the dispatchers, because neither one can tell the other to do anything.
Nick
Nick - whether it is a smart move for you or not is entirely how you see it. The bottom line is if you are happy in what you are doing, then cogratulations! Be one of those that actually likes/enjoys their job, no matter what it is.
And thanks for the information. Houston Ed sent me a breakdown a few years back, but it is in my mess so a printout of this will go to the top again!
Mook
Coming soon to a railfan site near you…
Your’s truely, in a hard hat, staring grimly at a leaking covered hopper.
Nick
Nick - Driver wants to know what 30/60/90 Hour Cars are?
Mook!
Mook,
The true measure of how fluid your yard is, is Terminal Dwell, or how long a car “dwells” in your yard. In a fluid yard, Terminal Dwell should be less then 24 hours.
30 Hour Cars have been in the yard more then 30 hours. 60 Hour Cars, 60. 90 Hour Cars, 90.
A standing car makes no money. So once a day, we report on the number of 30/60/90 hour cars in the yard, and our plan for getting them moving.
Nick
I like that idea! You have no idea how much I have ranted about trains sitting still (due usually to signals or waiting for a crew). I keep wanting someone to hurry up and get them going on their way - to no avail - no one hears me but the Driver and he is pretty much deaf in the right ear! [:D]
I will pass this along to him.
Thank you!
Here’s a progress report on my Trainmastering…
As I was told by several people (railroads I respect immensly), Trainmaster really is the worst job on the railroad. You’re really at the pointy end of the stick. Motivating crews, calming irrate customers, dealing with often clueless big bosses, and handling the endless minute details of running a terminal. Including some really kindergardenish stuff…“He’s being mean to me.” “He’s won’t do what I tell him.”
You are responsible for everything happening, whether it’s your fault or not. The job is as much conference calls and filling out reports, as it is planning moves, and handling crew and locomotive issues.
Having said that…
I do enjoy the challenge of the operational aspects of the job, making sure the crews are properly balanced, the right power is in the right place, etc. It also allows me contact with other departments. I have a much better understanding of how the MoW, Mechanical and Intermodal departments operate.
My planning is primarily tactical…planning for the next 12 to 16 hours. I now have a glimps at the strategic planning…seeing the higher ups plan for the next 2 to 3 days.
As tough is the job is, it is regarded as a necessary stepping stone for further advancement. It’s is very rare for a Terminal Super, Division or Regional officer to not have been a Trainmaster.
So stay safe out there,
Nick
Station Agents had more power than TM’s. Sadly the agents are all gone around here. And a TM better not show up and try to change a move either. We had a TM do that once and he got his butt eat out royally by the conductor on the job. The TM didn’t do that again.
Just remember a TM is a supervisor. He is not a Fourth Grade Hall Monitor!
I respect what you’re saying, Jim. But…
That last conductor that talked back to a Trainmaster that way, was out of service the next day, and charged with Insubordination. He ended up with 15 days I think.
Nick
This is a neat and informative thread. Just as a ‘what if’ - suppose a loco breaks down in the middle of nowhere (train stalls, single track main, blocking crossings) what would you do to handle it?
Nick:
Thanks for the update. Your posts are always insightful. Hopefully, without jeopardising your career or privacy issues at work, you can keep us updated…sorta like a trainmaster blog.
ed