Conductor Training Survival 101 - Important Tips for New Conductors
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- I want to share some important tips for all of you new conductor trainees out there. Rather you're working as a Norfolk Southern conductor Trainee, or a CSX Conductor Trainee, BNSF, UP, all of the things I talk about can be applied to your training to help you become a great efficient conductor.
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Paying attention in school is very important to learn the basics like signals, safety, and just railroad common sense overall. Definitely take the practice tests until you're scoring at least 95 each time on knowledge and 100 on signals. To be totally honest though, s**t doesn't get REAL until you get back to your yard and start ojt. The school basically teaches you just enough to where you shouldn't get yourself hurt doing silly things. When you go on a job, be respectful towards your COs and ENs and show a sincere desire to learn. If your CO is on the ground doing work, get out there with him. I usually ask my CO if I can perform the task myself while he walks me through it. I retain better by doing the motions myself rather than just watching. By going in with that attitude, I almost always end up having a good time with the crews and get all kinds of good tips and advice in addition to learning the specifics of a particular job. I'm currently halfway through training with 4 weeks on the road and 4 weeks in the yard. I've liked the road more personally so I've got my fingers crossed that I'll get to go on the road extraboard.
Great advice Donald
Honestly I’m way way way more overwhelmed than I thought. Seems like the classes are flying too fast and I can’t write it down fast enough
Where can we find the practice test or do they provided it to you once training starts?
@@SReyes-ux6xc they'll have practice tests on your learning portal. I'd recommend you study about 2 hours each night, maybe taking a "day off" on the weekend. Ideally, if you end up making friends with some of your classmates at your hotel, I'd recommend that you get together and do a study group.
Anywhere we can see/ take those test?
I worked 40 years as an engineer for the Union Pacific. Watching different individuals talking about Conductor training or their Conductor training, this guys does it the best! Good job!
Thank you Scott! Congrats on retirement and your years of service. That’s awesome. Thank you for your kind words!
Take that practice test over and over and record the ones that you got wrong. Study those ones! I’m starting week two and am starting to feel confident. It’s overwhelming, for sure, but it is do-able
Thank you Darius! You got it man!
How do I take or study for a practice test
The information will be given to you at your training center
Is there really 100 signal questions
How long did it take between passing the background and being told your start date?
Study study study. Don't rely on technology or your engineer to always have the answers. Know your job, rules, and signals and do it 100% It will save your life! Love the video Joey!
Everyone freaks out about the signals. It’s not that bad. Number 1 thing to do is learn how to read the signals. Do Not Memorize the signals. Understand how they read then remembering the signal is a piece of cake. After your third or fourth practice test you should be at or near 100%. Number 2 make sure you read all the answers complete because there are a few that are very similar but they take out a word or two.
Number 3 pay attention, keep your mouth shut and listen. If you don’t understand ask the question right then and there and have them explain it again. Do not wait until class or outside training is over. Number 4 relax and take it all in. You are literally set up to pass. You will see every test question on the computer, the classroom work and talked about outside. When I took my final in ‘17 I knew all the questions about half way through reading the question because I saw them so many times in the previous weeks. Number 5 NEVER EVER be late. You will be dismissed immediately and sent home unless you call and explain what your problem is. If you are early you are on time, if you are on time your late and if you are late you are fired.
This was great as advice
Hey is there a way to take these test before going to training? Like are they on a website I can access?
@@thehookgodz nope you go in blind I hope you can absorb thing really quick
@@travisriddick3809 figured that. I’m a firefighter in Iraq but moving back to the US pretty soon and was going to take this route so I understand how the testing and grasping information can be. Are you employed?
@@thehookgodz I wouldn’t do that. Wait until you get to school. If you can’t “read” them then all you will do is waste your time trying to memorize them by color indications. That’s the wrong thing to do. You want to understand how to “read” the signals, not just memorize them. Once you get the indications down, (medium clear, medium approach, approach medium, etc…)you’ll get the definitions down in no time. Once I learned how the signals read, (took all of 15-20 minutes) I and the rest of my classmates were getting 100% on the signals practice test by day 3. Take the practice test everyday and twice if need be. There are a couple RUclips videos explaining how to understand signals that may help you get an idea but in all honesty if you can pass high school you’ll be just fine as long as you pay attention
I’m heading out in 4 hours 0300 first OTR run , this video definitely helped me feel more confident
Always be a student and learn to master your craft. Even during your off time, go over rules, physical characteristics, and signals. Don't let anybody rush you!
Headed to Atlanta today for ground school with CSX! This Chanel has helped answer many questions I’ve had thus far!
Love to hear it Caleb! Good luck buddy!
How long did the entire application process for CSX take for you from the time you applied until you started training in Atlanta? Thanks in advance.
At NS, I didn’t like how they did my assessment as a CT, I felt like they were intentionally trying to screw me up. They and talked and really didn’t let me focus on the task at hand.
Didn't get the conductor job but applied for a track labor job with same company and got a phone call couple days later fir a interview it was very fast and never had to deal with the out of state hiring process
Channel rocks! My two cents when your on OJT, learn how to move cars and your power around facing point and trailing point switches. Including crossovers. This was minimized at the Redi and McDonough when I was there. I know you have to know the basics, but when you get marked up and set free, it can be overwhelming on the locals and the yard. When you are with a conductor ask why are these cars in a particular order and how do we switch them out. Google maps is a great way to learn your track layouts at an industry or yard. Good luck and ask questions. Use those timetable, it gives you a guideline to what is going on at your territory.
Thank you so much for this video Joey! I especially liked how to handle a difficult situation with a co worker.
Thank you for the great question, I’m going to get to your exact question this week buddy. Thank you again.
Just to add, situational awareness… know where the hell you are and expect a train on any track anytime any direction. It can be a dangerous job if you make it that way. Railcars don’t give a shit about you, stand back when your pulling a cut out. Don’t put yourself in a vulnerable spot. I see foamers even get so close to the rails with their cameras and I think I’m a qualified conductor and I wouldn’t even stand that close. Just be aware
Great video man
Great point buddy! I have thought that myself when seeing Railfans out lol.
@@Railroad_Talk Lol right, you wanna get that close to a 50mph freight train... probably not ahah
Finished school in Atlanta. Starting OJT tomorrow. Really nervous about week five signal test "Conrail"
Yeah man those conrail signals are rough.
Talk to someone in your terminal who knows them. See if they will take 10 minutes to explain how to understand the signals. Contrails pretty easy once you understand how the signals work. You probably don’t need to know the old a Pennsylvania style signals. Those were tough besides the dwarfs. It also sucks you go down to McDonough twice. It was easier when you went for 3 weeks straight.
@@ohboy2592 figure I'll have two weeks with conductor's and engineer's I'll pick there brain. Thanks for the feedback.
@@davidcotter4556 good idea. Once you understand them, start with 5-6 signals a night and focus on those for 10-15 minutes only. Next night do those snd 5-6 more and within a few days you’ll have them all
How long did the application process take you from the time you applied to starting training in Atlanta? Thanks.
Just finished week 1 so far so good. Darius is spot on, it is overwhelming at first. If your coming down here thinking you wont be challenged, think again. Conrail signals UGH !
Let me know if you need a study buddy for the conrail signals. I’m finally understanding them
I'm picking them up now, it's like you study them for a couple days and then the light comes on. Thanks Darius.
Does anyone have any helpful suggestions on studying for signals test? Is it multiple choice? Are Conrail signals on test. Thanks
Do the signals e learning. I have conrail as well, and the e learning helped the most
I'm waiting on a start date... How long till I find out that I gotta go to conduct school?
Hey Joey Thanks for all the great info. I hope to be getting on soon with CSX with the help of a friend so I found their signals online and I`ve been studying them. It took some time but I`m getting them down pretty good. What concerns me is the final test at the end of the 4 weeks and trying to remember all those rules which are an insane amount, plus 2 of those 4 weeks are in the yard so that basically gives you 2 weeks in the classroom. Just seems like a small amount of time to cram in so much information. I`m subscribed to the channel and you have a been a huge help. THANKS
Also Good luck with your interviews and I hope you get back on with NS.
Thank you for these videos!
Great video RRT and I'm not even a railroad employee and you made me understand what to do. Very informative subjects you focus on in your videos. Its totally understandable of why you were appointed to train conductor's bcuz of your experience and knowledge! Thanks again for sharing your videos and look fwd to seeing the next one!
Hey man love the content it’s really helped me. I finally start conductor training with NS at the end of February to be a conductor. I do have questions if you have the time
1. What would you recommend studying ASAP before ct school to be as ready as possible?
2. I saw your boots video, this might come off as silly but what other gear would you recommend ( pants, shirt, etc) ?
Just got myself a waterproof watch and the corolina boots you recommended. Thank you for your time man, keep up with the great content just turned on the notification bell
iv got video coming out this week for cold weather gear and in the next few weeks my fav warm weather gear. As far as studying, if you have a friend who works for the railroad or you happen to know which type of signals you will be running, I would say focus on signals cause the rest they will teach you. They set you up to pass, the thing that gets people the most is signals.
@@Railroad_Talk gotcha thanks a ton I’ll start studying my signals
If your gonna get wet.. rainy climate.. avoid cotton made clothing. Cotton sucks the heat out of ya when it is wet.
Did you make it through training?
How often do you have to manually throw a switch, let the train pass, throw it back, and walk to the head end? Does that happen a lot still or is most of it automated nowadays?
For me this was common in Sheffield Alabama but when I transferred to Birmingham they were all controlled by the dispatcher for the most part. It could be often or you may have a mix of both and may have to walk from time to time.
Garant vs Norfolk Southern Railroad, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Manslaughter/ Assault, and Fired Whistle Blower.
I saw your comment the first time you posted it buddy.
@@Railroad_Talk it's sad and true. Don't worry, you will see.
@@91stealthman I made a note in my phone to look into this. Was this the incident that happened in Memphis?
@@Railroad_Talk probably but I'm from Detroit, eid # 1000477, one of the best days and most worried days at work, walking a train for inspection, and see a woman and her kids jumping knuckles to get through the train.
I'm deciding between conductor and signalman, and advice?
Would you recommend working with a shortline for experience before moving to a class 1 railroad?
Hey Joey! I’ve been lurking on your channel for a long time. Finally got a Contingent offer. I’m worried that I may not pass the medical part for the BMI portion. I’m not super heavy, but I’m not super skinny. Just built thicker than most. How strict are the in terms of that deterring for hire? Everything else checks out in terms of physical and background
Man I’m not sure how strict they are I do know they have sent some guys home because of it though but again I’m not sure what their BMI was i wish I did.
Keep me posted man, i hope everything works out. 👍🏼
@@Railroad_Talk hey I wanted to update you. So after hearing back from my physical, I didn’t make the cut this time. However I’m going to work hard to get down this BMI so that I don’t have to reapply within the 6months. Wish me luck!
@@ractooni4172 you got it man! Stay after it buddy.
@@ractooni4172 What are the BMI requirements?
Quick question, I'm on my 2nd week of training at Mcdonogh, and I'm not sure what happens next after they send me to my home terminal to begin my "on the job training" *(assuming I pass my exams next week)*
Will the school provide with the information I need, like what address I need to go to, what building/yard entrance, who I'm meeting up with, what time, what I need to bring, etc.
Probably a dumb question I'm asking, but I wanna make sure I'll be provided with all the details for my first day on the job. I'd rather not commit career suicide cuz I didn't get where I needed to go on my first day ya know👍
(BTW, hired out in Harrisburg)
Should receive an email from your terminal superintendent, or a trainmaster from your terminal. If you don’t receive an email with your training schedule you can call HR or show up and go to the main tower and start walking around until you find someone and tell them what’s going on. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
It’s funny I’m leaving my job to go work on the railroad . You left the railroad for a job that’s tied to the job I’m leaving 😂
I just got a conditional job offer from NS in muscle shoals. Awaiting a training date. Do they honor vacations that have been planned/paid for prior to being hired? Just curious
Depending on the time of the vacation, HR may work with you. I would reach out them and see.
Hey Joey, Thanks for the information on being great conductor what tips should be aware of far my first weeks of class, Because I will heading to NS Training Center in couple week
Right on! Congrats Damien
Are you in training now?
@@jasonreed797 I don't go until tomorrow
@@nmpxxx ok cool, I just started the process, I have an interview on Wednesday.
@@jasonreed797 I wish you the best
How do people end up pinned in between carts? What to do to avoid that? Is it common?
Not common but I believe it comes down to becoming complacent. There is no need for anyone to be in the middle of 2 uncoupled rails cars that aren’t at least 50 feet apart or more.
@@Railroad_Talk Thank you brother. God bless!
Hey man. So can you get hired as a conductor if you are color blind? Red/green proficient? Any insight?
I think it all depends on which colors you can’t see. They give you that goofy test and you have to spot the number inside the 500 thousand colored dots. If you can pass that test, you should be good to go. I think they focus on green, yellow, red of course.
Great info failed signals by one signal reapplied.... study study study signals
Man, hate to hear that. Hey, they hired you for a reason, they’ll hire you again. Stay after it buddy.
Hey Joey yea I still learning OJT for my first week just few thing I need to work on like on talking on the mic communication, Because the word don't come out right also I be nervous on top of that, So what I need to do improve on that, Thanks you
Hey Damien! That just sounds like nerves man. I do it everyday recording videos, i get in a hurry and stumble on my words. All of that will go away with time and it will be like riding a bicycle.. just jump up and go.
@@Railroad_Talk hey you need to do video on railroad interview for new hired who's trying to get on the railroad or back to the railroad industry
Are there any specific things I should take with me for the first two weeks at the training center?
Boots, watch, a laptop if you have one. Will help with studying. Other than that you’ll be good.
Maybe some of the guys/girls that just got through the class can shed some light. Cause things have changed since I was there in 2017 lol.
Any reason why they sent me a virtual interview, then another virtual, then a one on one one live interview. Which he said within 5 days you will get an email yes or no. Then a week later they send me an email to do a 2nd interview. I join know one is there, I call the train yard and there's no knowledge of my interview. Now I have another email stating due to inconvenience of scheduling the interview was canceled, then asking if still interested select a date to do the 2nd interview
Yeah this is very common, i am going through the same thing lol. A lot of people have gone through this in the past year or so.
Where can I find practice test for everything I will need as a conductor trainee?
I know there is a few signal test on quizlet, but as far as brake test, c-100, C-102 etc.. I’m not sure of anywhere but this channel. Those videos are coming. I have just been caught up fishing my life away literally during the spawn 🤣
nucor? the steel mill? did you drive trains for them? i deliver to nucors all over the country.
Nah they have a few rail positions in Decatur Alabama. I started on the mill and just recently moved to shipping working mon-Friday in Birmingham
@@Railroad_Talk thats funny i just was down there on friday! but i dont think i was at nucor, i believe i was some plant that galvanizes steel but i believe its very close.
What is the highest paying railroad?
Question should I bring my own rain gear or do they provide that?
I would bring your own just incase. Im not sure if they provide it or not Chaz. It never rained when I was there loo
@@Railroad_Talk Thank You Sir!
how long does it take for a response after second interview? Is there a way to check the status?
Hey Johnathan! You can look at your online profile with NS but you should hear something within 4 weeks I would think.
If you application says "closed" don't pay it any attention.. mine says closed, and I am in the process of setting up my interview with the terminal manager in Birmingham.
@@Railroad_Talk Thank you kindly sir!
@@Railroad_Talk if it says closed, I’m one week past the interview, and the same job has reposted with a new posting date, would you hang tight or reapply?
@@AmillennialMillenial i would reapply and just keep an eye on your email just incase 👍🏼
I got mine same day a few hours after the interview.
How do you get a job with the main line ?
I put my application in. I hope I get it!
I went through the whole hiring process. The 2 interviews, medical questionnaire and background check. They sent me an email 3 weeks ago that I was essentially hired and they will get back to me with a start date and that the medical evaluation will be performed on site. When I check the site it still says awaiting start date. I’ll be in the Jacksonville yard. Any idea how long it takes before they send the start date? It doesn’t seem like I really got the job until I start doing my training.
it's a waiting game for sure man. I think the current wait time is around 4-8 weeks.
@@Railroad_Talk one more thing is there a place to study the signals? I saw the video where you said google images has them, but is there a study guide online somewhere I can look at them? Or maybe flash cards?
@@BrandonGetty i think quizlet has one but I’m not sure if it’s 100% accurate. I need to get on there and make one myself for this channel.
@@BrandonGetty did you get your start date
@@jgraddy8955 no I did not, The website has been saying awaiting start date since 01/20/22
Is their really 100 signals to learn
No lol, there are only a hand full of signals lol.
There is 1 stupid question. The one not asked.
👇 Promo>SM!!!
great video but audio mixing sucks really bad, could barely hear