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RAILROADER JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Printed From: Southern California Live Steamers
Category: Railroad Information
Forum Name: Railroad Trivia & News
Forum Discription: Interesting information on the history of railroading and how it has evolved.
URL: http://www.southerncalifornialivesteamers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=109
Printed Date: Sep 30 2023 at 5:46am


Topic: RAILROADER JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Posted By: PhilC
Subject: RAILROADER JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Date Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 12:12pm
I came across this on one of my yahoo groups. Thought that I would share it.

Phil


RAILROADER JOB DESCRIPTIONS:

SWITCHMAN - A man dedicated to doing less today than what he did yesterday. Looks his best when standing in the rain. Some of these men, after years of training, can spot a returnable bottle at 75 car lengths if the light is good. Can also carry three times his body weight in copper, brass or grain -- depending on the season.

HEADEND BRAKEMAN - A new man who does all his thinking with his feet. Target of criticism for the rest of the crew. He can generally add short columns of single digits if not rushed.

REAR BRAKEMAN - The conductor's stooge; a lazy fellow of average ignorance who bosses the head brakeman, tries to act like an old head while silently contemplating on how he would do the work were he the conductor.

CONDUCTOR - A grouchy individual, void of soul, with a big head and flat feet. Continually advising rear brakeman as to both handling women and running engines.

FIREMAN - A mental midget with a pointed head, hero worshipper of the engineer. He is usually found talking to beanery queen or trying to figure his time. Also coaches student brakemen.

ENGINEER - A marked success story, an authority on government and financial matters. Can usually write his own name. Has a burning envy of road foremen; spends most of his time at the water tank taking slack or oiling around.

CREW CALLER - An absolutely friendless character who takes fiendish delight in making calls too short when you want to eat and too long when you want to sleep. Passes the buck and sheds crocodile tears for the rawhided crew. Apathetic soul when timeslipped.

TRAIN DISPATCHER - Dot-dash expert wired for sound. Tonnage hog and side
track artist. Sees all, knows nothing, poor guesser whose hobby is delaying trains.

ROAD FOREMAN - A rare blend of talent and tact. A job taken by those engineers with a marked inability to handle switch engines. Usually promoted at insistence of customers to prevent further damage to their goods.

ASST. SUPERINTENDENT - Typewriter expert greatly impressed by his own importance. Loves to make tests and instruct students. Chief qualifications: learn to smoke cigars and look intelligent.

SUPERINTENDENT - A brakeman or switchman who couldn't add short columns of single digits, abhorred criticism; couldn't act like an old head because he didn't know how to do the work. Chief qualification: has a name with a nice ring to it to go on the timetable.



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I used to be a rocket scientist, now I am just a space cadet.
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You only need three tools in life - WD-40, Duct Tape, and a Hammer. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.


Replies:
Posted By: mrngorickets
Date Posted: Jul 14 2011 at 11:20pm

Hi,

 

Good ideal, pls try to keep posting. I like this topic very much and I will digged this one. Tks again.


If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: http://railroadjobguide.info/railroad-conductor-job-description/ - Railroad conductor job description

 

Best regards.


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