Railroad ENGINEER Crazy Train Handling & Job Advice

[@Kimmiesman24]

Welcome to the transportation industry fellas. As a trucker, i know exactly what it is like giving up free time for this lifestyle. I am on the road an average if a month at a time. It is very rewarding but hard all the same. I love trains and trucks and i respect all my fellow transportation workers. Stay safe on the rails dj and thanks for the awesome insight.

[@lawrencebrennan3122]

Being a engineer is like being a pilot HOURS AND HOURS of boredom followed by a minute of pure terror. Mountain grade is awesome.

[@michlo3393]

Spent my whole career on mountain grade. Not gonna lie, I'm over it.

[@4220greengates]

My friend, a former navy man said the same thing..29 days of boredom and one day of hell.

[@chucksdesk]

I am a retired airline pilot. Many, many of the things you said and advice you gave fit my world too.

[@djstrains]

I know. its amazing how similar our careers are.

[@jonnyfish76]

I"m a relatively new loco engineer....love it. Going to bed now, at 2Pm.. Later!

[@djstrains]

i understand very well, lol

[@tvm73827]

“Not a career but a lifestyle”. Well said! Respect for you guys!!

[@jacobw446]

And a lot are no longer working there. PSR is killing the career!

[@stanthomas9890]

I remember as a student engineer taking my first 100 car grain train down a famous hill.............the engineer and conductor had been digging me for about 8 hours about how out of control we'd be going down the hill. I was a nervous wreck...............old engines, no dynos, I throttled back to about 4 notch, set some air and drug that big SOB a LONG ways............went down the hill like a dream. I always liked pulling something down the hill instead of being pushed. It's all different now with todays powerful dynos. Happily retired these days!

[@djstrains]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@TexasAlabamaBoi205]

What railroad?

[@TexasAlabamaBoi205]

@@djstrains Have you all seen a lot of resignations at CSX!? BNSF we've had 100's quit n resign

[@mr.boomer8794]

I do have to say, after almost 2 years of working on a railroad (started halfway through my senior year of high school), I must add that the only thing high school can contribute to working on the railroad is dealing with BS on a daily basis

[@donaldswink6259]

And all jobs have BS I don’t care what your doing although some workers might have a little more BS than others.

[@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast]

May I ask how in the hell you managed a railroad job as a senior? I’m a senior as well and in no way could I manage this lifestyle right now lol.

[@barroningram7286]

i retired after 44 years in trucking 41 at ups freight i've been a rail fan sense i can remember , being out of the Greensboro NC service center i would have to deliver and pick up at norfolk southerns yard in lynwood , some of the guys there thought i was crazy for wanting to run trains they would say be careful what you ask for, after watching a cab ride video of a late night run in the snow i understood what they were talking about , that was no joy ride

[@donaldrgagne1691]

Ran Trains for 25 years ! 50 to 65 cars a day was normal. These fellas know the trade.

[@michaellake2359]

Transportation seems to work the same way regardless of the mode. I flew airplanes for a living and I drove trucks over the road as well. Sleep, food, mental stimulation or degradation - it was always there. Not physically challenging but stay on your toes. My hat is off to all of my transportation colleagues that pay the price and love it for the good and the bad.

[@842qwery]

I could listen to these two for hours. Thanks for posting.

[@djstrains]

Thanks for listening

[@fritzd2116]

This was fascinating. Been a railfan my whole life. Although I am an engineer(chemical) I don’t think I could have given up so much freedom to be a railroad engineer. I’m content to be just a railfan. Subscribed!

[@robertbraeuner2031]

So I found out how true this scenario was when I was qualifying as a LE between Denver and Cheyenne, most of that area is a serious roller coaster ride. My first Herzog ballast train through there made me remember this video and I'll never forget it.!

[@trafficsignalman]

Great advice on the math. 18,000 tons is equivalent to an Ohio Class SSBN pushing you down the grade. Many folks don't think of the logic and reasoning you all need to keep it on the track. Thanks for taking the time to put this in the open. Great series.

[@maxstrains]

I’m a conductor for Norfolk Southern and have been with the company for a little over a year now. Your advice about furloughs and seniority is so true. Right now in Atlanta they’re cutting jobs and people like crazy. I started out with 28 people below me and now I’m down to 3. People get on not understanding that lay offs are a real thing and WILL happen. Luckily I’m not one of the ones that got on and bought a new truck, decided to have a baby or buy a new house. It’s one of the worst aspects of working for the railroad, but it’s something that happens. Thanks again for the video. It’s always nice getting to hear from fellow railroaders on their experiences.

[@djstrains]

years ago I did a video about what you are saying and i got so much negative feedback I deleted the video. No one wanted to hear the truth.

[@maxstrains]

djstrains Lol I don’t doubt it. People have this general idea in their head that the railroad is ran smoothly and does anything that makes sense. When in reality it’s not even close. They do stuff that makes you wonder what the heck they were thinking. For example, why train hundreds of conductor trainees, costing $70,000 per person to train, then furlough all of them within a year? It doesn’t make sense to anyone, but the railroad literally just doesn’t care. They do what they want, when they want.

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

Even though it was demanding as ya'll say, I loved every minute of it. Retirement sucks, ----except for the model railroading as you two say!!! My railroad is the UP&W (The Utah, Promontory & Wasatch)---the Wasatch Range. HO scale---three levels!---2000+ feet of track!!!

[@tomcarr1050]

Awesome Video DJ...Really like when he was talking about the roller coaster hills on the western Maryland...Thank you for sharing Tom

[@gregferrin9104]

Love this series DJ. Candid conversation about your profession - always an interesting listen! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

It's not a career, it's a lifestyle. I say the same thing to the guys that approached me about driving truck. And for the same reasons you guys gave.

[@mikebob4195]

Sand train headed eastward from northtown MN St Paul sub with two engines that had no dynamics. Downpour raining day, that train handed me my ass and I will never forget that night.

[@philliplee980]

i stared in 2002 when i was 19. i used to work for NJT as a cleaner and i have learn a lot of stuff from some Engineer's. i've seen some things they go threw and i got a lot of respect for them and freight Engineer's to. i agree with you guys i've seen to many guys do this and lost. i was trying to help a friend out and he did not listen to me. i've try to tell him when you first start make sure you call if not they will forget you.

[@FishplateFilms]

Great series DJ! 15 yrs as a signal sparky and it looks like railroads are the same the world over..LOL. The right way ...the wrong way ...and the Railway !! Keep these coming and stay safe out there. Cheers Gregg.

[@Leadplug]

Great stuff guys. My Dad was an engineer who pulled up beside a rogue builders house who was awal on on extension to our home and read the riot act to thebuilder in front of the train load of passengers. The job got finished promptly!

[@donaldswink6259]

What amazes me especially when I see a very long train is that one person is operating it, controlling it telling that Locomotive what to do.

[@Deckhardt2]

He talked about the section called Maple Grove. It’s right outside my town of Hampstead. I know exactly what he’s talking about. It’s awesome to hear him talk about it.

[@stephenjohnson26]

I miss running on the Western Maryland, I learned so much and was fortunate to be taught by the best. I passed on all my experience to new engineers for 28 years

[@RWSBaden]

Hi DJ, I don't know how it is on the Transportation side, but I can tell you on the Mechanical side of the railroad you don't tell the people you work with you have an interest in trains. They will look at you like you have a 3rd eye and they'll think of you like you have an IQ of 3. Most of the guys I work with are only there for one reason, the money, they have no real interest in trains. Yes they are very proficient at their jobs, but for them it's just a job. What you said about holidays is also true on the Mechanical side of the railroad. The new people are going to work every holiday, they'll also very likely to work the graveyard shift and their rest days will be during the week. For the majority of people who work on the railroad, Thanksgiving is not a 4 day weekend. We had people working Thanksgiving day and the day after Thanksgiving. We always have people working on the weekends. We'll also have people working Christmas and New Years. Some folks don't really comprehend the railroads truly are 24/7 365. It seems like you spend more time with the people you work with, than your family. What's the greatest thing about working for a railroad, I get paid to fix locomotives, how cool is that, also the retirement package and benefits are pretty good. A final word, from what I've seen in my career on the railroad, the folks who think they're going to show the railroad how it's done are usually the first ones walked off the property. The best advice is follow the rules and keep a low profile. Cheers, Rich.

[@matthewbrozowski4155]

Hey DJ, you guys have some good comments on railroading. I've got a couple from the other side of the seniority roster... Things to learn in school: getting along with people. 12 hours with some dumbass conductor will be one of the most stressful days of your career, even with the easiest train on the smoothest terrain. Don't hire on early: I heard this a lot when I first got started a few years ago as an 18 year old newbie. "Go live your life, kid, and come back when you're 30". But I personally am very happy with the time that I got in and the amount of seniority I have accrued, which I would have missed out on if I had waited. I'm within the top 1/3 of the conductor roster, and have been marked up as an engineer for over a year. I have Thursday Friday off on our 5/2 extraboard, and am currently holding a bid local for the summer with weekends off. If I would have waited like you suggest, I wouldn't be hiring on for another year, and who knows if I'd even have a job at the railroad. I think 18-23 is the perfect time to hire on and risk the furlough, because you have less responsibility, kids, house etc to take care of. And you can enjoy that time of your life, when the furlough hits! They don't care about your opinion: Sounds like your dispatchers are worse to work with than ours, which is hard to believe. I never tell them how to do their jobs, but I do like to offer up a good solution to their problems if I see it. Usually, this results in my co workers and I having better runs, or not having to tie down a train unnecessarily, etc. These massive corporations like to compartmentalize the different trades to the point where it can become an "us versus them" mentality. But at the end of the day, we are all here to move trains - as a team. Just wanted to throw out my two cents, keep the videos coming for the next batch of new hires!

[@djstrains]

no doubt!

[@uhlijohn]

I have heard that mountain railroading engineering is one of the most stressful occupations. I was a flatland RR engineer working in Chicago for 39.5 years with only a few moderate grades.

[@heronimousbrapson863]

That's why a railroader I knew who drove trains through the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia took a promotion after a few years to Winnipeg, where railroading is very flat.

[@chrisbeard5794]

I live 10 minutes from hagerstown MD and would love a career in rails.

[@jdportillo7641]

dynamics can handle and control any train , doesn't matter how short or long train , I was an engineer on uprr for 27 yrs

[@ericthered1140]

New sub here....there so many videos from conductors on YT. Nice to hear stories from seasoned engineers. One thing is for certain and that is you be be furloughed. Im currently in year two with UP and got laid off. Im so glad I didnt buy anything expensive. Oh well such is life on the rails!!!

[@robinroberts3335]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 great talk very lnteresting guys . Be safe keep on RailRoading Thxs 👍🏻Robin Ontario 🇨🇦

[@brianburns7211]

“Hey I’m in high school ad want to work on the railroad.” My advice, learn a trade or go to college. Look at all the guys cut off between PSR and the epidemic. Some guys with 10 years are cut off. You’ll need the side skill set then. Same goes if you’re unfortunate to get in trouble. Then you’ll also need that skill while in the penalty box. As a trainee, never tell the training conductor or engineer “I know” because you don’t.

[@timpatterson3789]

16 and a years seniority here, and furloughed last jan, engineer since 2006, thats good advice, "find something else," with all the technology coming down the pipe, and greed, I really don't want see me getting my 30 years in!

[@NScaleRailroad]

Very interesting, when I worked for the CNW we had waycars, no fred's, we had two way radios for communications. The highest point in Iowa on the double track main was at Arcadia, Iowa. Talk about short trains, one night we had 3 units and 15 cars, plus the waycar. Never knew what the CNW would do at times. Question? I know when I got fired for 15 days or so (I had fire insurance) I got paid more than working, never could figure that out. It was alright by me, no midnight calls or just got to sleep and the phone would ring. I was running hot shots before I left, get on, get off and most were scheduled.. Miss family get togethers, you bet your bottom dollar you do, when the caller calls you go to work.

[@djstrains]

these fools rang my phone on my off day and were going to Miss Call me. I called them and told them its my rest day! He asked why I answered the phone, and I said "CAUSE YOU ARE WAKING MY FAMILY AT MIDNIGHT!!!" Grrrrr.

[@waltersobchek2465]

@@djstrains thats a gnarley career! Many of us just love the romantic outside perspective of watching the trains. Respect!

[@NScaleRailroad]

@@djstrains Some callers are not to bright, they don't check. One thing with the CNW hot shots they knew our off days. Isn't railroading FUN! I'd rather model as I'm out of the weather, ice, blowing snow, and train masters trying to catch you doing something wrong, like sleeping on the job.

[@jbflight405617]

DJ can you please make a video for us train sim enthusiasts detailing how and when you use the dynamic, automatic, and independent brakes? I’m having trouble understanding the theory behind then and when it is appropriate to use each of the three. That would be much appreciated as I haven’t found a good explanation in layman’s terms. Thanks!

[@djstrains]

my new videos I touch upon that.

[@thomasklimchuk441]

On Canadian Natioal RR engineers are instructed to use their throttles as the first step in controlling their speed followed by dynamic brake If dynamic brake is unable to control your speed then a combination dynamic and atomic brake is used If no dynamic brake is available then you'll have to use your atomic brake If your throttle reductions cannot Your independent brake should never be used at speeds above 15 mph because of skidding your engine wheels plus damage to freight cars from the resulting slack coming in

[@IMRROcom]

love this stuff, thanks

[@1tombensky]

Really enjoy this series! More, please. Thanks!

[@djstrains]

more coming

[@chazco]

thanks for this series. it is a real eye opener. Chuck

[@ChrisOBaugh]

I love the comment about people who come on board and start telling you how to do your job. I had an engineer one time who complained about every decision i made as a conductor while working a road switcher. I finally told him if he didn't like the way I ran the job, call a relief and take his home.

[@ruffian2952]

Good work, lad. As a more silent type, when there was unrest among the crew I had one simple directive, if you don't like how I'm doing things call the chief. Never happened. I also had a particularly disgruntled engineman, I cut off the engine, told him to take the power and find a relief. He folded. It wasn't a conductor versus engineman contest either. Remember always train orders (19) are addressed C and E in that order. No one who ever worked with me was ever out-of-service.

[@jeffreyknoop5363]

Agreed about the short trains. Short locals suck. I'll take 12000 feet anyday

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

I loved this video! Sounds like y'all have the same crap rolling downhill from the brass as we do in the medical field. Stay safe out there my friends keep the knowledge coming. This video was VERY educational.

[@hubertfitzgerald7534]

Hey DJ when I worked on the CSX as an Engineer most of our crews had binoculars and hand guns in our grips if you broke down in a bad area no CSX police would be anywhere around so you needed to protect yourself !

[@terronsession1344]

Love the talk guys ,really informative I love trains and everything that's railroad. Thanks fellas keep it up. !!!!!

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@savannahhirano]

The part about complaining about being in a fast train stuck behind a slow train made me laugh... It makes sense though, because while it may be a slow train, it may be time sensitive, so it stopping to allow a faster train to pass could be the difference between on time or late. Actually had this happen the other day while taking Amtrak from NYC(NYP) to Rochester, NY. Ride was great, engineer at the speed limit the entire way, making great time... until just after Syracuse... Engineer goes on the PA apologizing for the wait, as we were stopped behind a westbound mixed freight that was waiting for some eastbound CSX Q trains to pass... I completely understand it, CSX owns the lines, Amtrak just has track-rights, so those time sensitive Q trains take priority over our train, because a passenger train getting held up for a 30 minute is going to cost a lot less than a time sensitive intermodal will cost if it’s late. I grew up on LI with the Long Island Rail Road, and as is the notorious saying goes for the LIRR, “6 minutes on time”, because while it might be late, it’s on time in the eyes of the LIRR.

[@steveamurray59]

Love these Stories. Thanks Guys.

[@djstrains]

I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@railspike7057]

Great advice. When anyone asks me about hiring on, the first thing I ask is "today can you pass a drug test?" because if you cannot, there is no reason to waste anymore time on questions. And in Canada at least, if you get a DUI while employed (even if on holidays) you are prohibed from operating any motorized vehicle, which includes a locomotive (or a boat, plane, seadoo). So you are done. I disagree with waiting till you are 23, with senority how it works, hire on at 17. You will be much farther along and might not get laid off when you have house payments. At first take any job on the railway, you can then apply to transfer and will be the first one considered, and will already have knowledge of how things work and have an up on your classmates. My railway will not hire you for any job unless you have a drivers licence. You might have to go somewhere or to a conference or course and just cannot take a Uber or transit. Finally there are two kinds of conductors, Players or Spectators. If you want control over what happens or how long your carreer is going to be get in the game. Others prefer to ride on the coat tails of the engineer and cannot figure out why they are getting demerits or fired. your choice. Regardless which way you go, in your carreer you will smash up or break more in equipment then you will ever earn in your lifetime.

[@JoshRidestheRails]

Awesome talk and great advice.

[@railbuilderdhd]

Thanks for the great insight to what your job requires. I’ll be sharing with my son who says he will be an engineer one day. He may be just like you DJ.

[@TexasAlabamaBoi205]

This guy knows his stuff❗

[@newls1]

great video, thank you

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

Such amazing insight! Thanks for these videos!

[@jamesmartinez1246]

Thanks for the advice

[@djstrains]

You bet

[@spoosh13x13x13]

these segments are very interesting and fun to here what its like behind the seen's of being a engineer... Thank you for sharing and creating this grate content with us.. also best life advice was given I know NOTHING! works for just about any job ;)

[@slr379x9]

Great video sir. Still like to hear some stories from you sometime. It's too bad they don't allow you to record yourself at work. I've had a couple job offers as conductor from regionals and just couldn't get myself to make the move. I drive truck and love it but somedays all the bs I deal with i think about the railroad but I think there's a good share of bs there too. It's a toss up lol

[@randallbyrd1973]

Awesome video thank you both for sharing

[@djstrains]

this was the first time we met, and we laughed a lot.

[@CR3271]

I hated driving through western Maryland in a tractor trailer. Can't imagine doing it in a train!

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

I’m really enjoying this series your doing. Very cool insite to how things really work. Thanks for sharing buddy

[@djstrains]

more to come

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

djstrains I’m looking forward to it. I have no real interest in working for the RR but I do enjoy learning about the job. Thanks again.

[@Toto-ci6pr]

Could you do a video on how you all call signals

[@djstrains]

I'll see what I can do.

[@Tsass0]

That was really good :)

[@freddythomas2112]

I like this series

[@chadmartin2170]

This was truthful,and accurate. My Uncle's started out Penn Central,and then retired CSX. Avon yards in Indianapolis ,In. I was a very lucky guy at 13 yrs of age. Wayne my uncle would take me over during summer break. We would work the "hump",on the westside sometimes. And the "pullers", on the eastside. One day our engineer "Hal" said to me" You wanna run her? It was a sd38-2 with a slug behind her. It was better than winning the lottery. My uncle "Butch" was the conductor so i had to be on my A-game or I was deep water if I didn't follow his commands when pulling cars out to make a train for Ohio. We had 3 crews at both ends of the yards for this. Best dam memories I will ever have. Dj your channel is by far is an excellent source of prototype,and modelling as well. Take care Sir.

[@djstrains]

That means a lot to me. Please see more of my videos on life as an engineer. Have a great day. Thank you.

[@joelvale3887]

I think I'll stick to model trains or become a hobo to enjoy the train ride.

[@kens.3729]

Why does it seem that these Q & A sessions are over so quickly ? 😬👍

[@devernepersonal3636]

7:46 is the general life advice i need to hear.

[@Kmaster2007]

I’d really like to hear more about Steve’s work on Conrail and CSX, I live really close to the CSX section out of Hanover and was really interested hearing about that hill I’d never heard of before

[@djstrains]

Message him on Facebook. Steve Johnson. Fredrick, Maryland

[@Kmaster2007]

@@djstrains thanks!

[@thejmc4074]

When I was running, I almost preferred the big trains because with the little shooters I would have to fiddle with them constantly. A lot of times the terrain helped with big trains. Speaking of lifestyle, I hired out at 22. I agree that you should not hire out until you are a bit older. Idk about where you are, but the new guys weren't the only ones with the nice truck or new car. In fact, most guys I worked with (large terminal) made themselves slaves. With the seniority and more money come bigger houses and nicer cars, along with spoiling their wife and kids to make up for not being home. I am so glad you touched on the issue of how the RR should work. There are numerous reasons a slower freight train would be in front of a faster van train. The fact that a van can go faster does not mean it should. Sometimes, being early is worse than being late. If the intermodal yard isn't expecting the cars for a while, it makes sense to let the freight train slow it down. I get so tired of these know it all COs and Engs who think they have a clue. Just stay in your lane. This is not to say that the chief's office is above making mistakes, they most certainly are not. Great video.

[@nathandelay]

Very interesting DJ are there any GP30s still used for CSX because The Reading and Northern railroad uses GP 30s to this day. And it sounds like the CSX Railroad thought of everything for safety.

[@djstrains]

I see mostly 38's and 40's

[@randknu1]

As an engineer in norway this was super interesting. What you said at the end is so correct. The first thing we learned was that, dispatcher is GOD. You don't argue with them. If you make an enemy of the dispatcher they will ruin your day, week, month even if they hold a grudge. That being said, they are still human beings and they do screw up like everyone else. Also sometimes when they are unsure which train to hold back, they may call and ask "can you get to here by this time?" If you say yes you better be there or your word means nothing afterwards. I have had to call back and say i'm sorry but i cannot make it, the rails are really slippery and it's going much slower than anticipated or whatever. That will help the dispatcher do his job better, and on the railroad you all work together as a team. You help eachother.

[@randknu1]

Sorry to hear about your work demands. We do sometimes get calls like "how fast can you be at work?" type calls but mostly it is the day before or so. We also work on a 6 week schedule (duty roster?) (usually 6 weeks) and any change to this scedule that is announced in less than 2 weeks is payed overtime for all hours outside the original duty. This is the benefits of a strong union. If the bosses fuck with us, no trains are moving. But if they are good to us and treat us with respect, we will go the extra mile and do the extra work even if i miss dinner with my family.

[@mikel5295]

I love ho scale trains but no way do I want to be a railroader in the real world , learned that at a early age after talking to some railroad employees at a small switching yard in Johnson City , TN years ago ( Clinchfield railroad ) .

[@Baumeister40]

Is that a picture of a storm trooper surrounded by trombone players? Behind your guest's head. Yeah. I'm pretty sure they've got trombones. Great stories DJ! THANKS

[@djstrains]

CHECK IT OUT:thirteenthfloor.us/collections/art

[@GrandTrunkWestern85]

DJ anything you can tell us about the 6000s? You ever run one and were they really known for ripping trains/knuckles apart? Thanks man

[@djstrains]

Actually the bigger the engine, the slower it starts. Sometimes I can be in the first notch and think "This isn't even trying to move, its like idle".

[@robertcampbelljr.3195]

Thank you for the realistic advice on how to run a locomotive!😀 I'm trying to get it right so I can be a better engineer. Some people say I'm "slowpoking" my train but I'm just trying to run it at scale speeds.HO scale is smaller and slower than the real thing. The only train of mine that should be in notch 8 the whole way is my UNSTOPPABLE TRAIN(yes, I'm modeling that train😀)

[@cdavid8139]

Having run the 1 to 1 gauge for years it always drives me crazy to see model railroad videos where the locomotives appear to be pulling industries at 30 mph. Slow going in yards and industries is the realistic way.

[@natecofga4679]

Hey DJ love your modeling and real life videos. I'm planning on joining the RR this coming year 2019. I have several years a military service and understand that there is BS in both the civilian world and military world. How do railroaders look at prior military service guys? I also wanted to know if their is a difference between NS and CSX RR companies. I've been to a couple of hiring sessions with NS but life in the service (long story) and life in general halted that for me for a few years. I too love model railroading but know that there is a HUGE difference between the two; anyone who is thinking about joining who loves model railroading should keep that one on the down low for a awhile. Most railroaders have told me that one.

[@djstrains]

NS is slightly better than CSX, but its like trying to get the best seat on the Titanic. Good luck, be safe.

[@robertaustinhamilton5487]

What does a engineer make to begin with what is there wage in the begining

[@djstrains]

varies from RR to RR. Dont wanna give false info.

[@wrakca6049]

Also don’t know because I don’t operate a train but to me yes is hard an to be a good to judge grades. one but I’m sure the steam engine days was a lot More work .

[@1rmrider]

As a child I always wanted to work fir the RR. Ended up being a plumber instead.

[@djstrains]

You'll always have more job security than me. 23 years and options keep dwindling.

[@1rmrider]

@@djstrains that’s sad, it has to be an awesome profession though. You get to see parts of states that no one else gets to see.. I was a plumber for 32 years. I worked with the same company for 29 years. Made it up to second in charge of the shop. I quit because I needed a change and had another plumbing job an hour later. I got out of it though. I have rheumatoid arthritis and i couldn’t do it anymore. I a super for a custom home builder now. Lol not that you care. Any way, I enjoy your videos. They’re very informative.

[@davidrayner9832]

One of my great loves (other than trains) is martial arts. I've been on the railroad since age 20 and finally began training in HapKiDo at age 43 and now at 59, I hope to grade for my black belt this November. Why has it taken me so long? Because I could only ever get to around 1/3 of the classes so it's taken me 16 years to do what most people can do in 5 or 6. Had I been an office worker, I'd have gotten my black belt at around age 50 and would be a senior 3rd degree (or maybe a new 4th degree) by now but when I do it (and assuming I pass), I'll be a 60 year old 1st degree and because the gradings are so exhausting and I'll be into my 60s by the time I'm up for 2nd degree, I think 1st degree is as far as I'll ever go. I'll keep training for as long as I can, but I'll never make it to the master grades. That's just one example of how the job gets in the way of everything else in your life. Forget about team sports, most family gatherings, etc. Being an engineer (and you could be the best in the world at it) is also a useless skill, outside of work. You can't trade it with your friend, the plumber. "If you do the plumbing in my new bathroom, I'll drive your train for you". No you won't because he doesn't own a train and neither does anyone else you'll ever know. You might do something for him but it won't be anything you learned at work, or you'll just pay him cash. If you want to learn a useful skill (eg; welding or machining), forget about doing a college or night-school course. Well, you can but you'll miss at least half the lessons, fail, and have to do it over again just to make up the required hours if you want or need your certificate. If you can't live like this anymore and want a change of career later in life, there is no other job that's crying out for ex-railroad engineers because they have a certain skill that no one else has and there's no hobby or interest you might have that being an engineer will help you with. It's also not something you can do in retirement or for fun. Yes, you could get a volunteer job with a preservation society but you'll be working when they want you, not when you feel like it. A retired truck driver can buy an old cab-over like he cut his teeth on a drive it anywhere and anytime he wants. A retired ship's captain can do the same with a boat and a retired airline pilot can buy a small plane but you can't buy a locomotive and run it. OK, you can but they cost more than any engineer can afford and even if you did, you'd need somewhere to store it, have to pay the track owner to run it, fit in with other traffic that has priority because they've paid more than you have, be qualified over that road, have a qualified person who shares your passion and is available on the day with you if the rules require a two man crew, etc. Had you been in another branch of the transportation industry, once you've bought your hobby truck, boat, or plane the highway, ocean, and sky are free to use any time you feel like it and when you've had enough for one day you just turn around and come home. You can't do that in a train. Don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed my 40 years on the job (34 as an engineer). The characters I've known, the stories I could tell, the places I've seen, the pictures and video I've taken are priceless to me and I doubt any office worker would have any of those things. I retired three weeks ago and whilst I'll love trains (and driving them) until the day I die, I won't miss being awake at 3.00 am and creeping around the house trying not to wake my family as I get ready to go to work, or them doing the same for me when I'm in bed, or having just fallen asleep on a Sunday morning after a night shift (couldn't go out with the boys on Saturday night because I was at work) and the neighbour starts mowing his lawn, or not seeing my favorite band when they're in town, etc. Driving trains IS the best fun you can have with your clothes on, it's WHEN you have to do it that's often not and anyone who works in a 24/7 industry will attest to that. I've come to thinking that for as much as I love driving trains, if I can't do it whenever I want to I have no wish to do it again. I'll devote my time now to other interests like building a hot rod and when martial arts classes resume in another week or so after the Christmas break, unless I'm on holidays (which will be at a time of my choosing, not when the company says) I'll be at every last one of them for the first time in my life. If you're thinking of a career on the railroad, especially as an engineer, give it a shot. I did and I had 40 great years but those great years came at a huge cost to me and my family. If you think that cost is worth it, then do it. If you get years of enjoyment out of it, great but if not and a few years down the road you want to find a new career, at least you won't die of old age wondering what it would've been like every time you see a train go by.

[@ronaldholtslander7958]

Thank you for this video it answers many of the questions I had about the mainline railroading lifestyle I would like to consider myself a railroader as I have been a breakman at a railway museum in Wisconsin for 3 going on 4 years now and I enjoy the job greatly and would one day like to be an engineer and I've even considered applying for a conductor job for the up, cn or wsor however I don't know if I could trade my family time for the mainline railroader lifestyle but this is my question you, is it worth giving up your family life for the lifestyle/money? And if so what is the reward?

[@ruffian2952]

It is a two-edged sword. For any alleged benefit there is a rock-solid drawback. Money will ease your conscience for short-changing your wife(lover) and children. You will decide on the rest when they happen to you or them.

[@spencerbass7142]

That was great. Question, is it a normal progression to go from conductor to engineer? Or do you start out as an engineer in training?

[@djstrains]

always with CSX is conductor to engineer

[@WAL_DC-6B]

The Canadian Pacific/Soo Line is similar to CSX whereby you go from conductor to engineer. On some occasions, the CP will hire licensed locomotive engineers from other class 1 railroads. I retired from the CP/Soo as a locomotive engineer in March, 2018. Great video on what it's like to be a train engineer!

[@geraldmarcus947]

Try a covered hopper with fertilizer thy knock you out of your seat

[@djstrains]

Man, I hear ya!!!

[@anonymousperson9610]

Hey DJ I got a few questions now about Amtrak what do you think of Richard Anderson ? Why is bad to never bash csx and any other railroad also too I have a model trainset my uncle got me its those European high sipped rail train and what’s your favorite train to run on csx ?

[@djstrains]

I don't know who he is. As for favorite, the CSX 3000 series. BEASTS!!! Gevos

[@donnlowe9129]

You have to pay attention,cant let your mind wander.

[@djstrains]

not...for...a...second!

[@misssouripacific]

thanks very interesting

[@kevineckert6073]

Is this Steve Johnson that models Penn Central? Modeled Spring Grove and Waynesboro PA?

[@djstrains]

He is modeling Union RR in HO if it is same guy

[@kevineckert2939]

Met him in Timonium last weekend…same guy..good guy

[@stephenjohnson26]

@@kevineckert2939 You are correct, I modeled the WM and PC yeeeeeearrrrs ago, but tore that layout down and got out of the hobby for 10 years. Now I am back.

[@sparky107107]

now this i like.. real MODEL railroading. lol

[@lostb01]

sounds just like truckin, Got to love the lifestyle tho, I'm enjoying it

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@dcurbatsch]

Good stuff

[@djstrains]

Appreciate it

[@outlaw2191]

DJ, Outside of knowing how to operate the engine and it’s controls and gauges, how much does an engineer have to know about the mechanics of the engine? If your engine breaks down, what do you do? 03/18/2020

[@djstrains]

engine school in 1999 is different from now. We had to learn so much unneccesary stuff back then. Now we just call mechanical department, lol.

[@ellisjackson3355]

Were those kids in the picture of you as a teenager throwing up gang signs 🤣

[@doubleutubefan5]

Which company is better though? NS, CSX, Amtrak etc. Who do i choose

[@djstrains]

not csx

[@goonies80s98]

djstrains Why is that?

[@BNSFFur]

BNSF I know few crews who drive for BNSF they said it's nice

[@johnriso4323]

Interesting!

[@wrakca6049]

Ok so I don’t drive run or work the rr but .. first of all I thought yrs ago a train was only to be of 100 cars . Since then an ( money crunch) the rr claims is the added a few engines .so say they put two up front on say in the middle an one like 30 from the back .so if all the engines are mu’d together so how is that different if they stuck all four up front .well they put them through the length so they can haul more cars like Extra 50 ish .right I under stand by up an down hills by weight going down the hill Compressed an next Engine is still pulling the weight up the hill .that’s like Cruze control on a car .so technically the first engine would slow down while the sec an third engine is full bore .notch . Don’t understand how this recent derailment in Ohio happened .why is everyone beating around the bush .it’s not that hard to figure out .the axle burned up an broke apart due to heat .why wasn’t the engine slowed by this new ptc an the hot box detection signal stop the train .it’s like driving a truck with trailer .ya it can stop but add another trailer behind that .that infact jackknife.well if you had a truck two trailers an another truck in the back that would certainly be the same way as the rr hauls .the back truck would slow the train while the front engine coast with minimal braking.so with four engines or five on this train why wasn’t it a controlled stop .the axle busted probably due to heat or hit switch . The rr should start thinking of getting all the rail they scraped yrs ago for money they needed LOL.they need to start putting in more double tracks an more longer sidings an shorter trains .that train should of been caught by first the shop guy or signal or the boss of the shop . Rush rush it will make it get it out the door .they shouldn’t be allowed to haul such a train with that many cars hauling that much chemicals. The rr better wake up for the owners .they keep cutting cost by less people.reminds me of the PC DAYS . PTC was or is supposed to be the best since sliced bread but apparently that didn’t help here

[@jimmydcap]

Thats why there are so many problems in the rail road nobody stands up and speks. They only stand up after a disaster happends.

[@djstrains]

100% agree

[@mikelowery5741]

Rule of thumb being a locomotive engineer ain’t easy hahah

[@centralohiorailfan]

Thanks for your Advice!!! Looks like I finally learned I shouldn’t drive a train after high school but till at least 23. I want to get married and all of that but I can’t do that with a job so maybe I might not go till I’m 40 or 50 so Thanks!!!

[@eoinpkav152]

Start young, the older you get the harder the job will be, but like DJ said not too young.

[@geraldmarcus947]

The worst train I ever had was fertilizer in covered hoppers

[@davidrayner9832]

No matter where it is, the short answer is 'undulating country'.

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

More stories, please!

[@djstrains]

playlist: LIFE AS AN ENGINEER. They are all located there. Enjoy

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

@@djstrains I've already torn through them all!

[@djstrains]

Lol

[@Mike-tg7dj]

Common Core is dumbing this country down. I see it every day.

[@utahrr1]

Amen brother.

[@jamesmartinez1246]

If I'm interested in getting a job as a train engineer at Amtrak what is the best way to alert Amtrak staff members that I'm interested in getting a job working as a train engineer how do I succeed and past the test with 90% or higher what is the best advice for that so that I can live my dream

[@djstrains]

Amtrak website. Lots depend on right time/place. See my playlist about life as an engineer, plenty of videos on the subject.