New Download Section
Posted by Lou on Feb 24, 2009
Back from my first trip. Bumped, of course. At last it was a very nice trip. I had a very nice Engineer with me who understands my situation (off work for a long time). We had some good talks and a nice trip. After staying in the Hotel for almost 24 hours I got a Dead Head (a company van brings you back to your home terminal instead of bringing a train back – usually to save time and money because there are too many crews away from the home terminal). Bumped 2 hours after arrival, that’s not too bad (if you are used to it). Thanks for the bumping guy to let me have my first trip – there are good bumpers out there and somehow everybody must make a living.
Anyway, time to start a little project on my homepage that I was planning a long time. During all this time with the Railroad I got a lot of Download able material that I want to share. You will understand that I am not responsible for the Content or Actually, but everything is hand picked and checked. Most of the Files are for the Roseville, CA Area, but many are working for other areas, too. I hope you find something useful out of it. The furlough File section will be much bigger in a few days. So, furlough followers, check often for more information that will / might save you a buck or give you more information to survive. As always, keep your feet on the tracks and be save.
Just follow the Download Button on the Top of the Page.
Update: The Downloads didn’t work. Fixed the problem, now everything should be fine. Thanks Pete for the hint.
First work since September
Posted by Lou on Feb 22, 2009
Just a Miracle happened to me today. I got back on the board and somebody forgot to bump me. So I went out on my first Job since sometime in September last year. Got bumped so many times between those days, but now I mad my first trip and I must say : It feels good. Went out on a rainy Sunday, got my Train and here we go. I am happy – first time. They actually needed me to do some work. Something I was trained for and something that I know. But I must say it was not as easy as it supposed to be. Listening to the Radio is a training thing. Mostly you hear the Dispatcher mumbling something and it takes some time to figure out, what he wants. You must know, the Loudspeaker is on the other side of the Engine and it’s very loud in the Cabin, too. As another handicap, my native language is not English. Wish they would talk to me in German or I can answer to the in my native tongue. Happy, I had a great older guy with me who understood my situation and helped me. I am very thankful for that. It’s not always like this; sometime you have a grumpy next to you who is not talking for hours and who is doing only his own thing. Don’t they know that this is ’still’ a new world for me ? I discovered a lot of bad guys through my Railroad time (specially the sharpshooters and bumpers) but I also found a lot of good guys who love their job and willing to help and understanding others. That’s what I remember from the German Railroad. We were all Family. It’s sometimes here, too, but it comes more rarely. But those guys (the good guys) make the work enjoyable. What can be better than sharing old stories ? I still love my job, regardless the bad things. Hope it stays like that and I pray I will not discover the dark Force of the Railroad.
Now I am sitting in a nice Hotel far away from home waiting for my turn back. Counting the hours for a good Head time (10 hours unpaid rest, everything over that is good payed money). Will be back tomorrow or so hopefully in one part with lots of new stories.
Western railway Museum Solano
Posted by Lou on Feb 21, 2009
RAILWAY MUSEUM — The Western Railway Museum, Highway 12 in Rio Vista. Hours are 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Hop aboard and take a 10-mile ride on the authentically restored historic railcars. Visitors can also view electric railroad exhibits, tour the car house and have a picnic lunch. Cost: $9-$12. Call 374-2978 or visit their Internet Web Page.
You can experience California as it was 100 years ago. Take an electric train trip through the peaceful, picturesque Montezuma Hills over the original historic main line of the Sacramento Northern Railway. As a living history museum, the Western Railway Museum gives visitors the opportunity to ride authentic historic streetcars and interurban electric trains from all over California and the western United States.
Kick in the butt
Posted by Lou on Feb 19, 2009
Well, here we are again. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. Sometimes you have to find out that goodness is not with railroaders.
Yesterday again I got a call from the Crew caller that my application was finally accepted and an open spot would be filled with my little body. Yep, I was happy. Another chance to work – that sounds so great. My last work day (not counting the rules classes last month) was in September 2008 for ONE day and before that I was able to work a few shifts in March 2008. Don’t ask me how we managed it to get through all the time but somehow we did. Now after yesterdays call I was first out, a very good chance close to 100% to get out and work. Watching the whole day the boards and train lineup. Several Trains were re-scheduled so the waiting time for my train got longer and longer. I had a slight bad feeling that is not a good sign – every minute counts. Every minute you can get bumped. But hey, I was first out, so what could happened ? My working boots were positioned in the doorway next to my grip, just to jump in and get out. According to the train lineup I supposed to bring a train to a big harbour in North California. Nothing big, I have done that before. But it could not hurt to check again the Timetable and the Rules that changed every week. Hard to be on top of it if you don’t have to deal it on a dayly basis. 8pm was my train scheduled. Now it’s 3pm – time to go to bed and take a nap. About 6:30pm got up and grabed a snack – want to be fit for the trip. Just finished my last bite the Crew caller gave me a phone call. Fine, I tought, they are telling me to get ready and be at the train station in 90 minutes. That’s the time they give you to get ready. Luckly my drive to the station is only about 10 minutes. I had other times where I had to drive 3 hours to work so you have to watch closely the boards. But instead of getting the train news I got the Girl on the phone telling me that I got bumped. Silence. Long Silence. “But I am first out and my train should leave in a few hours” was my response. Like a robot she tould me I was bumped and if there is anything she could do for me. “But I was first out” my response again. “Is there anything I can do for you ?” her response again. There are Thousands of things you can do for me, but not this one. Let me do what I am supposed to do and what they called me for in the first place. “Have a good day sir”. Yeah, how good can my day be after that. Bumped again with a kick in my ass. I feel like one because again I believed the Railroad needs me and cares ‘a little bit’ about me. Because I am willing to work and I can work.
The nicest feeling is to get bumped first out. Why can’t they wait to bump you after your turn ? Just one day will expland my medical benefits, will give me a little bit self respect back, will bring a few dollars into my life. All that was printed on the Boots that kicked me was “NO. NOT YOU.” As a bitter pill : got bumped by someone who was in my hiring class. His birthday is just a few days before mine. Thought he would understand the ‘not spoken rules’ and the codex between railroaders. But things changed and changed people. This times brings out your real character. If you are tough and mean, don’t care about others only about yourself, you are a winner in this game. If you are try to be nice and care about others, you are the looser here with a Boot sticking out of you rear telling you what a fool you are. Since I am not going to change, nor I will not turn to the dark site, I guess I will not get out to work. The closest to be with the railroad will be sleeping under the bridge watching trains go by – without me.
Update: See my wifes blog about how hard it is to be a railroaders wife. Find it under www.myheartvoice.com.
Grants and Stuff
Posted by Lou on Feb 13, 2009
Wildlife Heritage Foundation gets UP grant .The Wildlife Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving California’s rich heritage of open spaces, agricultural land and wildlife, has received a $5,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Union Pacific Corporation and Union Pacific Railroad, to support their Outdoor Environmental Education Program. The program’s goal is to promote conservation education and experiential learning to grades K-5.
The Union Pacific Foundation is funded each year from the operating profits of Union Pacific Corporation.
That’s great stuff. But it makes me a little bit jealous. As important as it is to support the local Community, especially for the Wildlife Heritage Fund (what the heck is that ?), I am going to need some support, too. As an employee I am sitting closer to UP than some Outdoor Foundation. At least I thought I was. Help the outdoor furloughed people. We are increasing and we can be still useful to the Company. As I was told at the hiring session some years ago. This session was very interesting. During the session I was asked several questions about my willingness to work and be ready for some ‘unusual’ work conditions – like be off work for 4 months and than be called to get ready to work in 90 minutes. Hmm, they didn’t mention the 14 months out of work, but surly the 90 minutes call time. The recruiting Manager was an old army guy who sure did know his handwork. “If you don’t have a cellphone to be called to work, UP will provide you one.” Yeah riiight! “ During your first year you may not be able to reach $75.000 but I can assure you that it will be around $50.000. And than the sky is the limit.” HAH!! So, how does this sound to you if you don’t know the background and the real possibilities they provide you ? Pretty good, eh ? So I thought, too. It took me about 5 months to figure out the truth of it all. Now I am still with the company, after 2 years, and I try to work as much as possible. I get here and there a trip, that’s all. Just for ’standing by the Railroad’ and a ‘willingness to work at any time’ we, the furloughed People should get a grant or something else. I would be happy to get some more training on the road. That helps everybody when we get back to work. We will be a 100% rules fit, know the territory and we will be motivated too deep in our work boots. But since Circus Cars in a parade ($30,000 worth!) and the Wildlife Heritage Fund is more important that I am I should dress up like a clown and run through the woods to get a little token of appreciation to keep my fridge full. Just some thoughts…..
Hard for the Family
Posted by Lou on Feb 12, 2009
Being furloughed is not only hard for the railroaders ego – it’s the hardest for the Family. Not everybody is blessed with a wife like mine. During the hiring session we were told that the highest divorce rate is among Railroaders. I could not believe it at first. How hard is it to have tons of money and a good pension and health insurance ? But I guess I was wrong. Being on call is one thing. How often are we are getting called during family meetings or while shopping ? As it is convenient sometimes – it’s hard most of the time. During my first years with the Railroad I discovered how much I was asking for my wife. We had no home most of the time because I was chasing my seniority. The other times I was not able to work or being furloughed. Sleeping in a Motel or in a RV in a campground can be fun and exciting, but only for a short time. Another thing is the Fridge level which I mentioned in earlier postings. Once it gets below 20% the moods of family drops considerably. How often did I ask myself: “Why am I doing this and how will it end ?” Right now I am still motivated but for how long ? A Family Health Plan and the excitement of a good pension are good reasons for staying. But to know that you are not wanted to work railroad wise for the company is on my mind all the time. Why did they hire me and offer me all the goodies ? Why am I not important for the Company ? Do they really care about me ? Or am I just another card you have in your hand for bad times or only when needed ? Yep, too many questions. I have no answers to these. All I know is there are 41 others in my Station asking the same questions, and over 140 in the Hub wondering what’s going to happen. I feel really bad for the furloughed State workers who cannot work every other Friday (unpaid). But at last they have work the other days and have a steady (even if a very low) income they can count on. I can only count on the help of others during this hard times. Again, I am thankful for a wonderful wife who still stands by me, but not everyone is in that position. First you don’t work, than you lose your home and than you are going to loose your closest ones. Why are we not sharing the work we have with everybody ? A trip less for some will not hurt that much – but others can make a living out of that. We can all have a life with the ones they care about.
Who is left ?
Posted by Lou on Feb 8, 2009
Leftovers
In a few days is my 2nd anniversary Railroad wise. In November 2006 I joined the Railroad and my Seniority date was set to February 2007. Sadly, since they go by your date of birth, I was born on the 25th. That means I have to blame my mother for the situation I am in now. Why couldn’t she have squeezed me out on the 1st? That would be so much easier for me. But I am sure if I was born on the 1st the seniority date would be after my shoe size or the circle size of my Middle Ear. But what the heck, everybody from my class is now furloughed. Everybody who is left, that is. The smart ones figured out very quickly, from which side the wind is blowing and left the Railroad after a few months. Some other ones, who did not get pregnant during that time, got back to their old jobs. Some changed their positions and are now watching homeless people under bridges so they don’t get rolled over by trains. Some are no longer in California and chose to get furloughed in other States. And than there are the many who got fired. You know it’s very easy to get fired when you are not experienced enough to find out what’s going on between the Rails. So there are only a few left. We are the Hardliners, the War Socks, the Foamers who would never admit to be one of them. The positive thinking souls who are still thinking of better times to come. The one’s who are dreaming about a Conductors Position on the Extra Board. About a guarantee that will be payed every half month. Dreamers of not being nervous about getting bumped after every trip. The one’s who dream about making plans to get settled down and having the fridge level always above 80%. Dreaming about earned Vacation and regular time at home with family and friends. My only friends during the first 2 years with the railroad are the ones who have eMail. Who are sharing the few adventures on the Train. The diehards, the ones who are left …..
Freight Trains in Germany
Posted by Lou on Feb 4, 2009
Some Freight Trains in Germany. Recorded at my Home town – Luenen.
Lifetime German Railroader
Posted by Lou on Feb 1, 2009
After 6 years of Service for the German Railroad the Deutsche Bahn (German Railroad) offered me a Lifetime work protection. It means: you are now an official Government worker. With a lot of other things comes the guarantee not to be fired from the Railroad. Whatever you do, you can’t be fired. If you can’t work at one place they have to offer you another position. Of course when you do something illegal, you have to go to jail. But if you come out, you are with the Railroad. It’s really a nice feeling – you and your family are protected forever and ever. Somehow, I miss that here with the Railroad. Ok, the American Railroad is not a Government institution as the German is (was, they are no longer hiring you as an official worker) but Railroad is Railroad, so let me compare both (setting smile on). There are some managers out there to look after you. But the difference is: you will not get fired or terminated or locked up in a Closet. My big boss came over sometimes to have a visit – to talk with me about some new stuff they are going to do, but before that he called me on my phone and asked me if it’s OK to come by and have a talk. And talk means: you sit down with him over a cup of coffee and some cake (germans have coffee and cake every day around 2pm). Sure, if I did something wrong (which never happened – cough..sniff) there was a lecture that comes with the talk, but always in a very nice way. I miss that a little bit. Sure, things are really different here – Managers are now here to help you and give some advice, but it always comes with a test or a lecture. And if you did something wrong (or they think you did something wrong anyway) you get some points taken from you, fired for a few days or weeks, Toilet paper is positioned in a ‘non reachable place’, your weekly chocolate ratio will be terminated – you get the point. No wonder you make a mistake – the pressure is very high with the axe rotating over your head. My point is this, get the pressure off and talk with us, the workers out there. PUFF – If my words fall onto the right ears – they are doing exactly that. There are not so many managers out there, so instead you will get a visit from a person who is like you; somebody who trained you or somebody you worked with last week. So what am I wanking about? Nothing, just some thoughts. Hmm, the reason for these thoughts must be that I got tested 2 weeks ago and I wasn’t at work! It was not a good test because it reduced my perfect score of 1000 points by 12 points! What a bad furloughed person I am. I really have to take my furlough a little bit more seriously. Silly me, I got tested without even being there. Perhaps that was my mistake so I must get some points taken off. After all they must be right, right?
