I just got hired for Canadian Pacific and I’ll be starting the classes pretty soon. Your videos have been awesome preparing me, and others for the challenges of being on the rails. It’s nice to stay ahead of the game, and stay safe. Thank you for videos man.
Also,always lock your doors if it’s early morning/late night hours and you’re stopped in the middle of nowhere. You’d be shocked at the trespassers that try to climb up in the engine with you. Conductors carry a high quality pepper spray with you at night as well. Depending on what part of the country you’re in and you’re walking a train, I’d hate for y’all to run into a rabid wild hog,bobcat,mountain lion etc.
….part of that “etc” should include this scenario… You gotta get down and walk the train for some reason. It’s dark, as usual. It’s raining just enough to have to wear your slicker suit (top only cause the rain will probably stop by the time you get back to the head end. So now you’re walking, diligently doing your job: watching your footing, making a visual inspection, paying attention to your surroundings and then… The rain falls on that plastic top a little harder, creating a nice, peaceful “white noise”… Just about now you realize y’all stopped in the part of the territory that, recently, wild rumors have been goin’ around the crew room about a nice 8 foot crocodile that’s taken up residency in that big mud hole you’re desperately trying to stay out of - and that peaceful, pitter-patter white noise sends shivers down your spine because it’s concealing that big son-of-a-bitch hissing a warning to you that you are now in his territory. Sweet dreams, y’all!
@@markieschofieldjr9076 where to start!?! I always listened to the old heads, most had valuable advice to share, if I showed initiative… and I took plenty of NOTES! Get track profiles and diligently fill in the “learned from experience” parts as you encounter them. Also, if you’re on the road, pack a small version of the essentials from your medicine cabinet at home: extra glasses, headache powders, visine, etc. Extra flashlight and batteries, extra radio battery (swipe one if you have to), extra air hose gaskets (5 to 10 - depending on how bad a day you’re having :-), extra reverser - never know when your dependable Engineer might forget theirs, metal utensils for meals - those plastic things will break!, snacks that travel well and can be eaten cold (there are tricks to heating food up on an engine, but, hopefully they’ll show you those areas)
If you see something, say something - I noticed a downed tree on my local scenic railroad’s tracks. I was able call the company and they were able to locate/ move the tree avoiding a hazard.
I tried that for a few crazy things such as leaking tankers and failed track joints. Ill never call again at how rude the railroad is when you call.I laugh everytime I see the fake derailment cause in a certain large derailment cause i told them bastards.Broken axle my ass
I recall from back in the early 1980s of being told about a fatal accident that took place on the Chicago & North Western Rwy. (my employer then) in Wisconsin involving a pulpwood truck. This straight truck was stacked high with pulpwood logs and pulled in front of a C&NW GP type engine at a crossing. The locomotive struck the truck broadside and the wood from the truck crashed through the engine's cab and tore the engineer in half killing him instantly.
As a CDL driver of 10 years id like to say that you stated the weight of the load IN those trucks, combined with the trucks weight a loaded truck can and likely will weigh about 80,000lbs
The locomotive hitting that truck is likely a “wide body” and weighs 437,000 pounds. That locomotive could be pulling a combined total of 31,000 tons (my heaviest). Most of my trains tip the scales these days at 6-12000 tons.
as much money as these railroaders make, i am so glad i decided to keep it as a hobby, even as i sit here trying to figure out my art dreams, because everything you are talking about makes it seem like this job is hell
Excellent job on this topic, Joey… Wish I had an award for you, How ‘bout I just give you my respect …P.S., always hated being the first out train after a storm 💨🌲 RXR
Most of the trainers I have right now have told all of us that eventually we'll hit something and to prepare ourselves for the day we hit a car or a person.
As a 30 year old head there really isn't much you can prepare for when hitting a vehicle. 9 times out of 10 you will see blood and guts. If you hit somebody lying in-between the rails then you end up rolling them under the power and usually the head 10 or 20 cars. Then it becomes a bio hazard clean up. At least in Wisconsin it is. I won't say how many times I have experienced this stuff, but it will happen and I recommend you take the counciling that the company has to provide to you post accident. Good luck to all the new hires. I started on the Wisconsin Central and finished on the CN.
We went around a curve one night and there was a car in the middle of the tracks thankfully it turned out to be a stolen and was abandoned car but it definitely gets the blood pumping.
Lmao. We live in the most advanced and safest time in human history. 100 years ago there was no 911, police, or emergency personnel everywhere. Most diseases had no cure. No cell phone to call for help. Imagine living 150-200 years ago. You had to worry about waring tribes kidnapping your women and children after they killed you. We have it made and yet people cry about everything. “Just stop oil” yet everything is made from oil and gas. Very dumb people.
Wow I can't believe railroads never tell people that, I think that's really stupid of them to never tell people what to do when you see something after rounding a corner, thanks for telling us and see ya at the stream!
You really have two options, 1. Get down, and hang on, or jump. I have herd stories of both happening there are videos on the crew jumping off also. You will more than likely get hurt jumping and could also get crushed from the railcars behind you if they derail. Or you could stay on the head end and hope the nose doesn’t fully collapse. It’s really hard to say unless you’re in that moment which I hope nobody will every have to go through. Very good question but super hard to answer.
Good video. Just out of curiosity. When would you decide to bail out? Locos are supposed to be more collision worthy than they were. I know a lot of guys probably quietly think about it. The Road I Worked for had a head on back in the 70's. The second and third units on the Coal Train climed up the back of each other. The short hood folded completely back into the cab on the second unit. The two brakemen riding in the second unit in the seen it coming and bailed. Both crews were alright. Sometimes, I wonder how well anti-climbers work.
I always talked about this stuff....if there is a train that went by a red at a meet!!! they dont tell you anything!!! Self preservation and EF the railroad is the first thing that comes to mind. your choices are to bail off (not actuate) and possibly get smothered by your train....or.... ride it out and burn alive and get crushed. The railroad will not have a response. all they want are warm bodies on the the train. they could care less of what you do. they'll just hire more with a pathetic bonus and lip service safety talk. Im sure railroaders can relate. its not bashing any company, its the truth. id say within the last few years it has gotten so bad, people are just quitting because they see no light at the end of this tunnel. if they go to one man crews it will get exponetially worse. they will reap what they have sewn.
I just applied to CSX. What's the best move to try to get their attention and get hired? I'm qualified, through work history and qualified physically. Is there anything I can do to get their attention?
If they turn you down, just keep applying. The only way I know to get the AI attention is to be sure and out 100% willingness to travel and no on tobacco use. I figured this out with NS and I’m sure CSX has something similar.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors Nice. Thanks for the fast reply too bro. I did put 100% travel availability, I am a smoker but I'll be sure not to mention it. It's not much of a problem anyways as I don't smoke heavy. Good Looking! Thanks!
@@foxmacnamara8809 i put no and was dipping at the time. I don’t believe they look into especially now being so short handed. Good luck man! Keep me posted on how things go. I read every comment
I sound amateur, but....I have crap tires on my car, with an appointment to switch them out. To get there, I will be taking back roads. As such, I will be taking my curves & Hills slow--to heck with the complainer behind me, especially in the short run. Why not adopt the same defensive driving technique with railroad? Is the lost time really that bad?
I have, most of them are cool and mean no harm. But you gotta be safe 🤣. I caught a guy trying to jump on our train one night. We were only going like 10 miles per hours through Huntsville Alabama. I shined my light from my flash light in his face and he ran away from the engine lol
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors I filled out all my background and medical questions and now just waiting on the email to set up my medical appointment. If hired I will be running out of the Birmingham terminal. Was just curious how you handled the hobos. I don’t really care what they do as long as they leave me alone and I will leave them alone lol.
@@CodyGates I was with nucor and have moved on to one of their biggest competitors. Nucor is a great company to work for and you’ll have a work life balance. Highly recommend applying with them as long as it not nucor tubular products in Birmingham Alabama.
@@CodyGates if you are in the Birmingham area, the bar mill is best. If nothing is open there and the tubular plant is the only option get in get your time in and transfer out to the bar mill after your year.
@@CodyGates oh I got cha lol. It may take a little time but based on what I have been seeing recently, around the first of the year hiring should pick up a lot.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors good deal I’ve been binge watching your videos trying to get a better understanding of the rail industry so far you haven’t disappointed keep up the good work
It doesn’t say on their website that you need one, but you’ll be working on call so if you don’t have one I can only imagine this could possibly cause problems with getting hired. Hopefully I’m wrong. Give it a shot
My very first run on the road we hit a tree. I just balled up and was like fuck fuck fuck. We just went through it and kept going, the engineer laughed at me
I just got hired for Canadian Pacific and I’ll be starting the classes pretty soon. Your videos have been awesome preparing me, and others for the challenges of being on the rails. It’s nice to stay ahead of the game, and stay safe. Thank you for videos man.
Good luck man! I wish you the best and always here if you have any questions. Thank you for the support and the kind words!
Also,always lock your doors if it’s early morning/late night hours and you’re stopped in the middle of nowhere. You’d be shocked at the trespassers that try to climb up in the engine with you. Conductors carry a high quality pepper spray with you at night as well. Depending on what part of the country you’re in and you’re walking a train, I’d hate for y’all to run into a rabid wild hog,bobcat,mountain lion etc.
….part of that “etc” should include this scenario…
You gotta get down and walk the train for some reason. It’s dark, as usual. It’s raining just enough to have to wear your slicker suit (top only cause the rain will probably stop by the time you get back to the head end.
So now you’re walking, diligently doing your job: watching your footing, making a visual inspection, paying attention to your surroundings and then…
The rain falls on that plastic top a little harder, creating a nice, peaceful “white noise”…
Just about now you realize y’all stopped in the part of the territory that, recently, wild rumors have been goin’ around the crew room about a nice 8 foot crocodile that’s taken up residency in that big mud hole you’re desperately trying to stay out of - and that peaceful, pitter-patter white noise sends shivers down your spine because it’s concealing that big son-of-a-bitch hissing a warning to you that you are now in his territory.
Sweet dreams, y’all!
@@rxrtraindriver2845 can you bring a gun for situations you come across animals or trespassers?
@@markieschofieldjr9076 …not sure (probably doubtful) been out since October 5, 2014.
FOLLOW COMPANY RULES!
@@rxrtraindriver2845 First time I start In a couple weeks. Besides follow company rules, anymore tips or advice?
@@markieschofieldjr9076 where to start!?!
I always listened to the old heads, most had valuable advice to share, if I showed initiative… and I took plenty of NOTES!
Get track profiles and diligently fill in the “learned from experience” parts as you encounter them.
Also, if you’re on the road, pack a small version of the essentials from your medicine cabinet at home: extra glasses, headache powders, visine, etc.
Extra flashlight and batteries, extra radio battery (swipe one if you have to), extra air hose gaskets (5 to 10 - depending on how bad a day you’re having :-), extra reverser - never know when your dependable Engineer might forget theirs, metal utensils for meals - those plastic things will break!, snacks that travel well and can be eaten cold (there are tricks to heating food up on an engine, but, hopefully they’ll show you those areas)
If you see something, say something - I noticed a downed tree on my local scenic railroad’s tracks. I was able call the company and they were able to locate/ move the tree avoiding a hazard.
Thats true Nix, sometimes it can be avoided for sure.
I tried that for a few crazy things such as leaking tankers and failed track joints. Ill never call again at how rude the railroad is when you call.I laugh everytime I see the fake derailment cause in a certain large derailment cause i told them bastards.Broken axle my ass
The Atlantic Hurricane season does in fact start today. Pacific started May 15th. Thanks for this video!
I recall from back in the early 1980s of being told about a fatal accident that took place on the Chicago & North Western Rwy. (my employer then) in Wisconsin involving a pulpwood truck. This straight truck was stacked high with pulpwood logs and pulled in front of a C&NW GP type engine at a crossing. The locomotive struck the truck broadside and the wood from the truck crashed through the engine's cab and tore the engineer in half killing him instantly.
Man, that’s wild..
I had never actually thought about this, good information man
As a CDL driver of 10 years id like to say that you stated the weight of the load IN those trucks, combined with the trucks weight a loaded truck can and likely will weigh about 80,000lbs
Very true. I was so use to seeing trailer weight on our pick list between 40-48k.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoorsas a truck driver myself I knew what you meant.
The locomotive hitting that truck is likely a “wide body” and weighs 437,000 pounds. That locomotive could be pulling a combined total of 31,000 tons (my heaviest). Most of my trains tip the scales these days at 6-12000 tons.
as much money as these railroaders make, i am so glad i decided to keep it as a hobby, even as i sit here trying to figure out my art dreams, because everything you are talking about makes it seem like this job is hell
It’s not that bad buts it’s not for everybody that’s for sure 🤣. It’s a completely different life than just about anything else
Norfolk Southern just had a big derailment here in the Pittsburgh area from a big dump truck crossing in front of the train.
Man you are right. They never went over that down at NS training school in McDonough, GA
They never will..
Excellent job on this topic, Joey…
Wish I had an award for you,
How ‘bout I just give you my respect
…P.S., always hated being the first out train after a storm 💨🌲
RXR
Good enough for me lol. Appreciate the kind words man.
Most of the trainers I have right now have told all of us that eventually we'll hit something and to prepare ourselves for the day we hit a car or a person.
They’re right. It’s not a matter of IF, but when unfortunately
As a 30 year old head there really isn't much you can prepare for when hitting a vehicle. 9 times out of 10 you will see blood and guts. If you hit somebody lying in-between the rails then you end up rolling them under the power and usually the head 10 or 20 cars. Then it becomes a bio hazard clean up. At least in Wisconsin it is. I won't say how many times I have experienced this stuff, but it will happen and I recommend you take the counciling that the company has to provide to you post accident. Good luck to all the new hires.
I started on the Wisconsin Central and finished on the CN.
Thanks for your honesty
I've just started a job at Railserve. And it's thunderstorm season soo, that's going to be interesting Lol.
We went around a curve one night and there was a car in the middle of the tracks thankfully it turned out to be a stolen and was abandoned car but it definitely gets the blood pumping.
Thank you for the information 🙏
It's just crazy what we as humans have to endure just to live an okay life.
It is, but by comparison to what people had to endure 100 years ago, we have a pretty good deal.
Lmao. We live in the most advanced and safest time in human history. 100 years ago there was no 911, police, or emergency personnel everywhere. Most diseases had no cure. No cell phone to call for help. Imagine living 150-200 years ago. You had to worry about waring tribes kidnapping your women and children after they killed you.
We have it made and yet people cry about everything. “Just stop oil” yet everything is made from oil and gas. Very dumb people.
Wow I can't believe railroads never tell people that, I think that's really stupid of them to never tell people what to do when you see something after rounding a corner, thanks for telling us and see ya at the stream!
If round a corner and see a train. What do you do? To quote Bill Cosby "First you say it, then you do it."
You really have two options, 1. Get down, and hang on, or jump. I have herd stories of both happening there are videos on the crew jumping off also. You will more than likely get hurt jumping and could also get crushed from the railcars behind you if they derail. Or you could stay on the head end and hope the nose doesn’t fully collapse. It’s really hard to say unless you’re in that moment which I hope nobody will every have to go through. Very good question but super hard to answer.
Keeping it short cause we all stuff to do ya say, man i'm on youtube, ain't got shit to do as it is, was hoping this would be longer lol.
🤣🤣🤣
No lie. Today during the the lecture we talked about hitting full trucks. Wasn’t any mention of the trees though
I am glad they are at least bringing this situation up.
…you’ll hit waayyyyy more trees than trucks!
@@rxrtraindriver2845 good point RXR. 👍🏼
It is possible to have east and west action on a north and south railroad lol
Good video. Just out of curiosity. When would you decide to bail out? Locos are supposed to be more collision worthy than they were. I know a lot of guys probably quietly think about it. The Road I Worked for had a head on back in the 70's. The second and third units on the Coal Train climed up the back of each other. The short hood folded completely back into the cab on the second unit. The two brakemen riding in the second unit in the seen it coming and bailed. Both crews were alright. Sometimes, I wonder how well anti-climbers work.
I always talked about this stuff....if there is a train that went by a red at a meet!!! they dont tell you anything!!! Self preservation and EF the railroad is the first thing that comes to mind. your choices are to bail off (not actuate) and possibly get smothered by your train....or.... ride it out and burn alive and get crushed. The railroad will not have a response. all they want are warm bodies on the the train. they could care less of what you do. they'll just hire more with a pathetic bonus and lip service safety talk. Im sure railroaders can relate. its not bashing any company, its the truth. id say within the last few years it has gotten so bad, people are just quitting because they see no light at the end of this tunnel. if they go to one man crews it will get exponetially worse. they will reap what they have sewn.
I just applied to CSX. What's the best move to try to get their attention and get hired? I'm qualified, through work history and qualified physically. Is there anything I can do to get their attention?
If they turn you down, just keep applying. The only way I know to get the AI attention is to be sure and out 100% willingness to travel and no on tobacco use. I figured this out with NS and I’m sure CSX has something similar.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors Nice. Thanks for the fast reply too bro. I did put 100% travel availability, I am a smoker but I'll be sure not to mention it. It's not much of a problem anyways as I don't smoke heavy. Good Looking! Thanks!
@@foxmacnamara8809 i put no and was dipping at the time. I don’t believe they look into especially now being so short handed. Good luck man! Keep me posted on how things go. I read every comment
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors Will do for sure! 👍🏻
They didn't tell you about dealing with wild animals either
My trainer was real about these topics but only on break.
I'm glad to hear that, I would do anything to be a trainer down there lol. NS would not allow that though
whats the csx ceo mean by one man crew you got the conductor and egineneer so
How bad was the damage to the locomotive with that tree you hit?
18 wheelers weigh much more. They’re usually at 80,000 lbs total vehicle weight. 44,000 lbs is just the payload. Killer video though👍👍
I sound amateur, but....I have crap tires on my car, with an appointment to switch them out. To get there, I will be taking back roads. As such, I will be taking my curves & Hills slow--to heck with the complainer behind me, especially in the short run. Why not adopt the same defensive driving technique with railroad? Is the lost time really that bad?
If you don't do time table speed the company can fire you for delay of train.
Going 2000MPH. Oj rheres a truck. 2 hours later!
Do you still work for the railroad and how is it going so far?
How long does it usually take after medical and background to get your start date?
Typically between 3-6 weeks
Had my offer about 4 days after the physical.
Still waiting on mine almost a month now
Or when you round the corner and there’s a banner test
TRUE
what's a banner test?
@@chazknowsbesta flag test by management usually!
Are you allowed to take a chainsaw with you on the train to cut the tree off the track if your going slow enough to stop I wonder
No your payed by the hour so you have the RTC call the section out to clear it.
One more question, did you ever have a run in with any hobos or train jumpers?
I have, most of them are cool and mean no harm. But you gotta be safe 🤣. I caught a guy trying to jump on our train one night. We were only going like 10 miles per hours through Huntsville Alabama. I shined my light from my flash light in his face and he ran away from the engine lol
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors I filled out all my background and medical questions and now just waiting on the email to set up my medical appointment. If hired I will be running out of the Birmingham terminal. Was just curious how you handled the hobos. I don’t really care what they do as long as they leave me alone and I will leave them alone lol.
@@toospeed31 i never dealt with any in Birmingham thankfully 🤣. I’m sure they’re out there somewhere though lol
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors hiding amongst the bushes 🤣🤣
the way csx what ever that means run a one man crew you can work at burger king and have more pepole then that
There’s nothing you can do if there’s something in the way
You can always try to kiss your ass good bye depending on what is in front of you. (Retired railroader)
Stupid question or maybe not, is there a toilet on the train?
There is, they’re in the nose of the engine very tight and normally smells horrible lol
Some locomotives yes, others no.
@@jpmikesh really?? That’s interesting. I have been fortunate to always have one on whatever engine i was on thank goodness 🤣.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors I’m sure it’s better than a 5 gallon bucket 🤣🤣
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors units are supposed to be restricted to yard or not lead, I'm sure your familiar with how well that works.
Maybe they don't tell you what to do because they think the train never looses?
Complete irrelevant but I notice you wear Nucor hats a lot are you still on the trains or with Nucor?
@@CodyGates I was with nucor and have moved on to one of their biggest competitors. Nucor is a great company to work for and you’ll have a work life balance. Highly recommend applying with them as long as it not nucor tubular products in Birmingham Alabama.
@@CodyGates if you are in the Birmingham area, the bar mill is best. If nothing is open there and the tubular plant is the only option get in get your time in and transfer out to the bar mill after your year.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors I’m currently trying to get on the rail road and out of the steel mills lol I was just curious
@@CodyGates oh I got cha lol. It may take a little time but based on what I have been seeing recently, around the first of the year hiring should pick up a lot.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors good deal I’ve been binge watching your videos trying to get a better understanding of the rail industry so far you haven’t disappointed keep up the good work
Semi loaded is 50k to 125k lbs total. Empty wgt is 35k lbs avg... (trucker)
Ok NUCOR coin hat! I see you.
Yeah if they dont tell you about this HAZARD yet they preach SAFETY... Sounds like an oxymoron to me...
Do you need driver license to become a freight conductor?
It doesn’t say on their website that you need one, but you’ll be working on call so if you don’t have one I can only imagine this could possibly cause problems with getting hired. Hopefully I’m wrong. Give it a shot
I did I’m in the background check stage.. they just sent me the info to take the drug screen
How does the drug testing process go?
My very first run on the road we hit a tree. I just balled up and was like fuck fuck fuck. We just went through it and kept going, the engineer laughed at me
🤣
Question if you have a DUI on your license does this prevent you from being a freight conductor even if your still able to operate a vehicle legally?
Dump the air!
He is hot
You plug it….and ride it out. It’s all you can do. Hit a bulldozer once on the rail. You get down and they teach you that in Georgia.