Railroading and Railfanning

[davelemmo]

Ive been into trains for as long as I can remember. I'm especially interested in  rare and vintage equipment. I'm considering becoming a Train Operator as well.

[davelemmo]

I would recommend you go and get a 4 year degree anyway before you go looking for work as an operator. Having a degree will look better on your resume than just having general work experience. Also, direct trainee hire is quite competitive, so pretraining is through interning at Modoc Railroad is a wise investment. However, they dont take anyone under 21, and require either work experience or college education to qualify for internship.

[davelemmo]

 @NudieDaniel I couldn't agree with you more. I think alot of young people, myself included are lost on their career path. I am 25, and I am facing the obligation to work hitting me like a brick wall.

[Ad1210]

An old topic I know but as Im a train driver I thought Id contribute. Ive been involved/employed on the railways for about 11 years now, first in preservation/heritage and then with a freight operator. Ive always had an interest and being involved with them but the job isnt for everyone. Shiftwork, nightwork and a lot of away from home travel can be tough on family and social life. You might get home from a shift early morning and the spend 90% of the day resting for the next night.
That said, its an extremely well paid job and the 'weekends' can be up to 5 days long.

Im also still involved on the heritage side as a steam locomotive fireman- this is the hobby side.

[cc71]

Some videos of the Tranz Alpine

[Ad1210]

Had a little.oopsy at work the other day...might be of interest

[Fishandchips]

Had a little.oopsy at work the other day...might be of interest

Oh lovely I always dreaded derailments when I was at a rail museum. We had no equipment to lift things back in the track so everything was manual with ramps, jacks and wooden blocks.

[Fishandchips]

A4 Pacific Sir Nigel Gresley (named after the designer) taken some years ago at North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Engine is currently undergoing its 10 year overhaul at National Railway Museum York.

[Ad1210]

Had a little.oopsy at work the other day...might be of interest

Oh lovely I always dreaded derailments when I was at a rail museum. We had no equipment to lift things back in the track so everything was manual with ramps, jacks and wooden blocks.

Haha yep done that a few times.  Build it up and try to drag it back on.  This one required cranes though

[Fishandchips]

At least you had them.

[Ad1210]

You volunteered at NYMR?

[Fishandchips]

No a different railway, small ex Coal Board line further up north.

[Ad1210]

Nice so little 0-4-0s and austerity types?

[Fishandchips]

Yup, a couple of 0-4-0 Barclay steamers 0-4-0 Planet and Hensley diesel, there were also a couple of 0-6-0 diesels but never out of the shed in my time there as they were too big and heavy for the weak bendy track. We had enough trouble red railing things without them dropping off the line too.

[Ad1210]

Sounds a nice little operation