New PROTOTYPE RAILROADING area created!!!

[Donnell Wells]

In trying to keep with the spirit of the original Atlas Forum, I created a virtual copy of the original format with the exception of the "Crew Lounge". My thought was to keep things simple, but it seems that we have outgrown simplicity. Reading through many of the posts, I saw a desire from many of you to have a dedicated area to discuss real trains that was separate and apart from the model railroad areas. Thus, the "Extra Board" was created to discuss all things related to prototype railroading.

Have Fun!

Donnell

[madlatvian]

Donnell,

Thank you for giving us another spot to talk "Trains". Many of us model but we also enjoy the 12 inches to the foot scale just as much. Hopefully this will become a very worthwhile spot for all things prototype and current.

Thanks again!

[Brakie]

Donnell, Thanks! That's cool since many of us enjoy railroads and that will serve as a outlet.

I could give a topic on how in the 9 1/2 years I was a brakeman the only waybills I seen was in the conductor's hand or on his desk. My work was govern by a switchlist, car number and switch key..

[antoniofp45]

Brakie,

I'd enjoy reading about your experiences as, from my understanding, you were railroading during the 70s-80s. That was a time where we saw a huge slew of changes. Weren't you on the Penn Central?

Oct 7, 2016 13:22:51 GMT -8 Brakie said:

Donnell, Thanks! That's cool since many of us enjoy railroads and that will serve as a outlet.

I could give a topic on how in the 9 1/2 years I was a brakeman the only waybills I seen was in the conductor's hand or on his desk. My work was govern by a switchlist, car number and switch key..

[Brakie]

I hired out on the PRR in '66 then worked for PC after the merger. I was laid off in July of '69-to many brakeman on the roster and the low seniority brakeman got the axe or offered a transfer to another division and would work the extra board road pool.I declined. Then in '78 I hired out on the C&O under the Chessie banner as a brakeman on the road pool and in September 84 FRED stole my job.

[kcjones]

Donnell, Thank you very much.

Brakie, I know the feeling. I worked as a clerk for the ICG back in the day and the "kids" today look at you like your nuts when you ask them if they had ever been a PICL clerk!!

[fr8kar]

That's funny. Yardmasters still use the term PICL. Only a handful of them left who started out as clerks, though. We have a few left who started as trainmen in the 70s and 80s, but most are fairly new and have gone through the yardmaster program in the past ten years.

[Brakie]

Oct 9, 2016 9:58:00 GMT -8 fr8kar said:

That's funny. Yardmasters still use the term PICL. Only a handful of them left who started out as clerks, though. We have a few left who started as trainmen in the 70s and 80s, but most are fairly new and have gone through the yardmaster program in the past ten years.

That's a scary thought.. IMHO the best yardmaster had boots on the ground and worked his way up the ladder while these "program" yardmaster has no real experience beyond what they are taught.

[fr8kar]

Oct 16, 2016 7:38:43 GMT -8 Brakie said:

Oct 9, 2016 9:58:00 GMT -8 fr8kar said:

That's funny. Yardmasters still use the term PICL. Only a handful of them left who started out as clerks, though. We have a few left who started as trainmen in the 70s and 80s, but most are fairly new and have gone through the yardmaster program in the past ten years.

That's a scary thought.. IMHO the best yardmaster had boots on the ground and worked his way up the ladder while these "program" yardmaster has no real experience beyond what they are taught.

When I say most are fairly new, I mean they are all post-85 trainmen who went through the yardmaster training program, so yes, they all have "boots on the ground."

Now trainmasters, that's a different story. We have lots of those who are fresh out of college and this is their first or second real job.