I've been pursuing a job on a Pennsylvania shortline, and they invited me to ride with one of their crews last week and get a feel for the operation. I was pretty shocked with what I saw. I don't think the conductor had much classroom training before they put him out on the road, and the engineer was reacting a little too quickly to unclear commands. I finally worked up the gall to ask him why they weren't using three-step protection, and he told me that their rulebook doesn't require it.
I was really amazed that the cardinal safety rules could be disregarded like that, and even more amazed that the FRA allows them to write off some of the most fundamental precautions. Is this common among small railroads? I know how to watch my back, but will that be enough to stay safe on a line like this?
2007-12-14
13:06:35
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3 answers
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asked by
highball116
5
in
Rail