C-b-b trawling through 7 pages of comments (too many of them negative), but what does each of the three controls do, L>R, L hand, R hand, and so on? I can hear the click-click of a graduated mechanism. Could someone please explain what's going on, especially between 2.25 and 5.40. Thanks.
@hughvane The clicking is the throttle,Red is train brake far right independent for locomotive.Hes taking off out of LaSalle street Stopping at a station and getting the two bells to go signal.
@aloozer You need your ass kicked real bad. Who in the hell are you to look down on anyone's profession. Oh and FYI the national average for freight/passenger conductors 75k and locomotive engineers 120k also nationally listed as one of the most mentally stressfull careers in exsitance. So before you go back to your job in the fast food industry tomorrow THINK!!! before you make these uneducated comments on subjects which you know nothing about. So to put it simply leave the professional career
What a great job. My grandfather was a engineer on the old PRR. He started off as a fireman on coal and ended becoming an engineer. He put in 30 years and loved going to work. Some of my fondest memories was him taking me to the rail yards. He kept in contact with everyone after his retirement and would go down and play cards with the guys. Learned some choice words from those guys...LOL
Thanks for the post. Excellent! A friend of mine was talking about becoming a conductor and eventually an engineer. My current field is cool, but I am essentially being forced to make a career change. Long story... I was curious on what they did and this was an excellent video. Well.. at least to give me some understanding as I am sure that beyond the huge responsibility, their knowledge likely matches. In either case.... Nice post....
I wonder, Did Jim ever win that card game, LOL. My brother in law is an engineer for whom Id rather not say but I get to ride up front and it is awesome. What can I say, Im a 41 yr old kid. I wish I had his job. And that comment up above, Yes, He makes well over 100K per year. My sister in law works the rails as well, Rear Brake. I know it looks easy but one mistake and its game over. Nice post, I enjoyed it.
@aloozer the fact he's large doesn't mean he's a "slob". What he wears is totally irrelevant. You are basing all of your arguments on a bias towards airplanes. At least those who ride the train don't have to arrive at the station 2 hours before the train leaves, pass through security and get molested by the TSA. No matter what anybody says to you, or shows you how you’re wrong, you'll constantly fallback on meaningless arguments, trying to prove that you’re right. You don’t know what it’s like.
Quite different seeing a locomotive operated via a desktop style controller instead of the AAR type control stand. From what I've read in journals, a number of engineers prefer the traditional AAR style stand to the left and some railroads order new locomotives with that instead of desktop styles.
@aloozer Wow....I can't believe that I'm wasting my time trying to tell you that this is a very decent and interesting job to do. "Oops" my ass. You must be one of those "douchey" anti-train people. I've heard tell of something called a "block" button. I'll think I'll use it.... So pogo on that you twat.
@aloozer Holy shit... I think we have found the perfect candidate for the "Pinnacle of Human Evolution to 2012" award. I mean look; he's arrogant, ignorant, a total asshole, and can't see two sides of anything!! Can we all agree on my assesment?
Why do they all seem to be in their mid to late 50's? Is Metra only for guys with that much time in? I'm just wondering, Metrolink engineers are usually in their 30's or 40's. Do you have to be high in seniority to have a "cush" commuter job?
Very cool video. The engineer looks very comfortable & relaxed at his job and I definitely would want someone like that operating the train I was on. This headset he is wearing in the cab? Is that for communications or strictly for hearing protection? If it's for the latter, how does he hear any warning sounds from the instrumentation?
My father new an engineer on the Rock Island, and I got to ride up in the engine twice, and he let me work the throttle and brakes!! (under very close supervision) I was about 14yrs old at the time (31ys old now) It was an experience that I will never forget, wish I had video of it, I do have pics of it though. I would love to ride up there now, especially with the new fancy controls they have now a days
Seems kinda easy to be a conductor on a train such as this. Just adjust speed, stop and open certain doors when needed and get goin again. Prolly don't make a whole lot of money
@medleyguy lol yeah but it's different for a 5-10 car commuter train than a long heavy freight. I guess throttle modulation isn't as necessary on a light and fast commuter.
This was good, but how cool it could have also been had this been shot this from the cab of an F40C! Nevertheless, it's nice to see EMD power still pulling passenger trains. The horn sounds like a Nathan P5.
Wow, I have a totally different respect for Engineer/ Conductors at work. I can't imagine what it's like to work with something that massive. And the funny part about it is you make it look so easy. lol
Wow, I have a totally different respect for Engineer/ Conductors at work. I can't imagine what it's like to work with something that massive. And the funny part about it is you make it look so easy. lol
Why the phone for communication? Since he has to wear ear defenders anyway, why not make them head-phones with a mouth-piece for talking on the radio?
@JetMechMA I'm not sure, the sense that I got was that Metra could be cheap in some areas. The Rock Island seemed more family oriented. I say that because Metra was the one that said "Okay, no more free tickets for family and friends".
I'm surprised they haven't digitized the operation of the locomotive by now. The aircraft autopilot is controled by three knobs in the manual mode...speed, heading and altitude. The last two wouldn't be needed on a train, of course. But it would be EASY to control the speed of the train by use of auto-throttle and have a knob as the interface. You could even have auto-braking for pulling into the station. The engineer takes over braking when it reaches zero MPH, while passenegrs get on and off.
@JetMechMA then it wouldn't be really running a locomotive, it would just be sitting there with controls set for speed and braking waiting for a red signal or obstacle to pop up along your trip into or out of Chicago.
@Amtrak1194: then it wouldn't be really running a locomotive...
JM: Well, that's what some pilots say about airplanes and auto-pilots. But I doubt any of them would want to go back to the old days without digital controls.
Noisy environment. Unbelievable they didn't make the cab any quieter for the Engineer. I just can't believe it. Airliners are many times louder than a locomotive yet the cockpit is at conversational levels of noise. This is the year 2010....how can this be at this late date in railroading history? My father worked 33 years on the IHB as a signal maintainer.
@Amtrak1194: I think they should compare trains and planes. I operate aircraft engines, and just open the window while they are running and see how loud they are. I'm pretty sure they could install more sound insulation in a locomotive cab. I'm surprised the workers haven't pushed for it, by this late date in railroading history. Amazing.
Great video, enjoyed it a lot, RIP for your father.
I was an engineer on Caltrain for a few years out of San Francisco, CA, but do not do it any longer due to a serious work place injury to my lower back, I miss the job greatly, this brings back memories.
@tubefilmvideo Oh your most welcomed, feel free to check out my channel, go to the very last page and I have some cab ride videos, my mug isn't in there, just video aiming down the track but you can see the territory I worked, very similar to your fathers, just in the west coast of California.
Yes he does most of the time. But i know a guy who works on the milwaukee west line and he has to know the north central service line and both milwaukee roads even though hes a milw-w line engineer.
I want to be an engineer so badly. . . To see all the sights, to do all the fun things, meet all the new people, everyones so old as an engineer though. Is it even possible to have your first job at a locomotive company being an engineer?
Thanks for putting this video up here. Pretty good stuff. Jim seems like a really good guy and guys like me that will never get the opportunity to do what you did really appreciate it.
@tubefilmvideo My dad worked for the Rock Island for 49 yrs. as a engineer. He retired in 1992. I worked for the Rock island for 7 yrs. My dad died in 2006.
@han0115 With the throttle in idle, making an automatic reduction will setup blended braking. When the dynamics kick in, it will bail that automatic set on the locomotive off.
So that everyone knows and I set the record straight- I will be putting on youtube an interview with my dad back in 2005 2 years before he died. In the interview he explains how he started out as a clerk then got promoted a number of times.
@MetraFan77 That I know of very hard it pays very well. Back in 1981 during a recession, I tried and put my dad down as a reference and I could not get in.
@pilotmanmax Yes that's true, You do not start out as a train engineer - you have to prove yourself by starting out usually on the bottom of the totem pole.
@MetraFan77 that's probably true - remember they are the guys who give the go ahead for the train pulling out of a station - again peoples lives in thier hands as well as the engineer.
You don't start an RR career as an engineer, you have to have a few years experience as a condcutor usually with a freight operator because unlike some I don't believe Metra hires non engineers, they onyl hire seasoned engineers. Do your research.
Maybe he felt lonely but you have to realize that he has to be serious - he has in his hands peoples lives. He had to always be alert - believe me he joked around a lot at home.
Tell Jim to wave at me when he cross the J! I would much prefer to be bored running passenger trains then the junk I am bored driving now!
rattacular12 2 hours ago
very nice, good job Jim
arcebrasil 3 days ago
C-b-b trawling through 7 pages of comments (too many of them negative), but what does each of the three controls do, L>R, L hand, R hand, and so on? I can hear the click-click of a graduated mechanism. Could someone please explain what's going on, especially between 2.25 and 5.40. Thanks.
hughvane 1 week ago
@hughvane The clicking is the throttle,Red is train brake far right independent for locomotive.Hes taking off out of LaSalle street Stopping at a station and getting the two bells to go signal.
rattacular12 2 hours ago
is it just me, or does he look bored as hell? almost like he could do this in his sleep? like he would be sleep if that camera wasnt there?
slowpoke96Z28 1 week ago
Ive been on that Metra plenty-o-time.
S190K 2 weeks ago
On time index 01:11, where the caption "duffle bag" pops up, from what I remember I believe railroaders refer to the engineer's bag as a "grip".
ACLTony 3 weeks ago
Excellent video. I have watched them all, (engineer Jim). Thank you for posting these, they are very good.
sancependray 4 weeks ago
Good video would hv been better with some narration of what he was doing. Either way I watched to the end. Thanks for sharing!
gm076132 1 month ago 2
i wonder what the other trains thought when they saw you filming when they were going the other way
alexander1485 2 months ago
more safety gear these days...
alexander1485 2 months ago
what type of unit is that 211 ??
northlanderdude 2 months ago
@northlanderdude Metra units 185–214 are F40PHM-2 locomotives.
PieMaster1994 2 months ago
@PieMaster1994 Thanks for the info :)
northlanderdude 2 months ago
JIM IS A GOOD TRAIN OP
hawver7765 2 months ago
To the adults you child
CHOOCH8258 2 months ago
@aloozer You need your ass kicked real bad. Who in the hell are you to look down on anyone's profession. Oh and FYI the national average for freight/passenger conductors 75k and locomotive engineers 120k also nationally listed as one of the most mentally stressfull careers in exsitance. So before you go back to your job in the fast food industry tomorrow THINK!!! before you make these uneducated comments on subjects which you know nothing about. So to put it simply leave the professional career
CHOOCH8258 2 months ago
интересно поглядеть изнутри на профессию,
mik33037097 2 months ago
Great Video thanks. I'm applying for Train Driver job (Locomotive Engineer) here in New Zealand, gave me a good idea of what goes on.
kiwiguy46 2 months ago
I see he put his jacket back on towards the end and I've always wondered, aren't locomotive cabs climate controlled?
kyla2112 2 months ago
wow thats a loud cab.
Tidermans 2 months ago
What a great job. My grandfather was a engineer on the old PRR. He started off as a fireman on coal and ended becoming an engineer. He put in 30 years and loved going to work. Some of my fondest memories was him taking me to the rail yards. He kept in contact with everyone after his retirement and would go down and play cards with the guys. Learned some choice words from those guys...LOL
cbarsonfire 2 months ago
Thanks for the post. Excellent! A friend of mine was talking about becoming a conductor and eventually an engineer. My current field is cool, but I am essentially being forced to make a career change. Long story... I was curious on what they did and this was an excellent video. Well.. at least to give me some understanding as I am sure that beyond the huge responsibility, their knowledge likely matches. In either case.... Nice post....
mnash3 2 months ago
I wonder, Did Jim ever win that card game, LOL. My brother in law is an engineer for whom Id rather not say but I get to ride up front and it is awesome. What can I say, Im a 41 yr old kid. I wish I had his job. And that comment up above, Yes, He makes well over 100K per year. My sister in law works the rails as well, Rear Brake. I know it looks easy but one mistake and its game over. Nice post, I enjoyed it.
THEATREofPAIN270 3 months ago
@THEATREofPAIN270 You're a 41 year old "kid"? o.O
trainsforever8 3 months ago
Sit in a comfy chair and move a lever once in awhile. That has to be the easiest job ever. Where do I apply?
niselat 3 months ago
WHY DO ALL TRAIN CONDUCT ENGINEERS DRESS THE SAME
osamabinsmokinkush 3 months ago
Comment removed
aloozer 3 months ago
Great Job Thank you
69THGILF 3 months ago
Wow they rev hard at idle.. well closed throttle, our trains in Australia have Head end power for car lighting, so the engine idle at normal speed.
aussietraindriver 4 months ago
@aloozer Because they operate engines. Hence the name ENGINEER.
RSSsailing 4 months ago
@RSSsailing that's not true. explain 'computer engineer'.
aloozer 4 months ago
@aloozer the fact he's large doesn't mean he's a "slob". What he wears is totally irrelevant. You are basing all of your arguments on a bias towards airplanes. At least those who ride the train don't have to arrive at the station 2 hours before the train leaves, pass through security and get molested by the TSA. No matter what anybody says to you, or shows you how you’re wrong, you'll constantly fallback on meaningless arguments, trying to prove that you’re right. You don’t know what it’s like.
MrMCD191 4 months ago
@MrMCD191 sorry i hurt your ego, Mr.Locomotive Engineer.
aloozer 4 months ago
Quite different seeing a locomotive operated via a desktop style controller instead of the AAR type control stand. From what I've read in journals, a number of engineers prefer the traditional AAR style stand to the left and some railroads order new locomotives with that instead of desktop styles.
ACLTony 4 months ago
@ACLTony yea i like those cabs too.......i hate the crappy "desktop" style controls.....
CSX2665 3 weeks ago
@aloozer Wow....I can't believe that I'm wasting my time trying to tell you that this is a very decent and interesting job to do. "Oops" my ass. You must be one of those "douchey" anti-train people. I've heard tell of something called a "block" button. I'll think I'll use it.... So pogo on that you twat.
trinityct 4 months ago
Comment removed
aloozer 4 months ago
@aloozer If I'm on the "lower" rung of society, (despite the fact that I'm actually in the upper class) then why is your user name "alooser"?
trinityct 4 months ago
@trinityct Because I am opposite of what my nick suggests.
aloozer 4 months ago
@aloozer Ah. Well, at least that's settled.....
trinityct 4 months ago
@aloozer Holy shit... I think we have found the perfect candidate for the "Pinnacle of Human Evolution to 2012" award. I mean look; he's arrogant, ignorant, a total asshole, and can't see two sides of anything!! Can we all agree on my assesment?
PieMaster1994 2 months ago 2
@PieMaster1994 sorry your dad's a train engineer
aloozer 2 months ago
Why do they all seem to be in their mid to late 50's? Is Metra only for guys with that much time in? I'm just wondering, Metrolink engineers are usually in their 30's or 40's. Do you have to be high in seniority to have a "cush" commuter job?
phillyslasher 5 months ago
how do you not fall asleep. Boring as hell. but pay is good.
AO3ANDERSON 5 months ago
Comment removed
aloozer 5 months ago
@aloozer Well if you're using them to throw at peoples faces (including my mom's) then you are in fact using them.
trinityct 5 months ago
lol at 3:33 . I always wondered if engineers waved at each other the same way bus drivers do.
phillyslasher 5 months ago
Comment removed
aloozer 5 months ago
Click on "aloozer's" username to see his posts of the past......
Self explanatory
Railoffroader2 5 months ago
thank you so much, I have NEVER seen the inside of an engineer cab, love this video :D
KetchupAndMustard55 5 months ago
Very cool video. The engineer looks very comfortable & relaxed at his job and I definitely would want someone like that operating the train I was on. This headset he is wearing in the cab? Is that for communications or strictly for hearing protection? If it's for the latter, how does he hear any warning sounds from the instrumentation?
walkerbelle 6 months ago
i like mayonnaise
nottocfj 6 months ago
whats with all the Plad shirts is that requirement?
simking01 7 months ago 2
Is the cab really so noisy that the engineer has to wear hearing protection?
isomolle 7 months ago
its a rule on most railroads to wear ear protection
alx2925 7 months ago
Just about every little boy's idea of a dream job... Nice vid - Cheers
pyrofella 8 months ago
This had me watching the whole thing more than once, Cool video. Thanks for posting.
kellingc 10 months ago
My father new an engineer on the Rock Island, and I got to ride up in the engine twice, and he let me work the throttle and brakes!! (under very close supervision) I was about 14yrs old at the time (31ys old now) It was an experience that I will never forget, wish I had video of it, I do have pics of it though. I would love to ride up there now, especially with the new fancy controls they have now a days
Scoottmy1 10 months ago
I used to ride the rock island. Always wondered what it was like at the controls. Thanks for the video!
truckinjeff 10 months ago
@truckinjeff Your very welcome, thank you for watching the video Jeff !
tubefilmvideo 10 months ago
this was always a dream of mine...that never panned out, but i make one heck of a passenger. fun video.
jfybby2 11 months ago
@andrewcbro Because computers are designed by Humans...
produKtNZ 11 months ago
Did they retire the locomotive that he is driving?
distantsignal1 11 months ago
Seems kinda easy to be a conductor on a train such as this. Just adjust speed, stop and open certain doors when needed and get goin again. Prolly don't make a whole lot of money
rvngexisntxjstce 1 year ago
I like how he just goes straight from run 1 to run 8 in one move lol! He wouldn't survive a day pulling real freight.
medleyguy 1 year ago
@medleyguy he only did a real little bit of feight and that was in the mid 60's
tubefilmvideo 10 months ago
@medleyguy lol yeah but it's different for a 5-10 car commuter train than a long heavy freight. I guess throttle modulation isn't as necessary on a light and fast commuter.
phillyslasher 2 months ago
@phillyslasher well, with 2 kind of underpowered engined on a 9000 ton freight, your basically in 8 almost the full time unless slowing down lol
alexander1485 2 months ago
@alexander1485 That sounds like a very long day.
phillyslasher 2 months ago
Wow, way to notch it back....? What happen to Throttle Modulation?
swervingto 1 year ago
This was good, but how cool it could have also been had this been shot this from the cab of an F40C! Nevertheless, it's nice to see EMD power still pulling passenger trains. The horn sounds like a Nathan P5.
ACLTony 1 year ago
Holding the train with the independent?
LIRR175 1 year ago
@LIRR175 I don't understand what you mean by independent.
tubefilmvideo 10 months ago
@tubefilmvideo the independent brake handle is used for the locomotive brakes only. the automatic handle sets and releases the train brakes.
notalott 10 months ago
@tubefilmvideo he was propably talking about the independent brake ~
trainsforever8 3 months ago
Hogheads...Gotta love 'em...
deetjay1 1 year ago
wonderful video. I really enjoying seeing him work the brakes. Wonderful cab sounds too.
generfeld 1 year ago
@generfeld Thank you
tubefilmvideo 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Wow, I have a totally different respect for Engineer/ Conductors at work. I can't imagine what it's like to work with something that massive. And the funny part about it is you make it look so easy. lol
Great video and
Thanks for sharing! 5/5
NSX86R 1 year ago
Wow, I have a totally different respect for Engineer/ Conductors at work. I can't imagine what it's like to work with something that massive. And the funny part about it is you make it look so easy. lol
Thanks for sharing!
NSX86R 1 year ago
@NSX86R What always cracked me up is the sign behind him that is on a different video that says "Danger 600 volts "
tubefilmvideo 10 months ago
@NSX86R If I ever get a trip when no managers are out and about, I'll nab you a video of a freight train where it takes more than 10 foot to stop
Krause12689 9 months ago
reading non railroad material in front of a camera?
idula27 1 year ago
@idula27 Idiot trainmaster wannabe
Nerfherder3 1 year ago
how come we don't hear you calling out signals?and what are tthose two rails in between used for?very nice Nathan p5!!!!!!!
386bigDee 1 year ago
I've been interested in trains ever since i played spirit tracks :P
ziberteck 1 year ago
Nice video!
justkiddin08 1 year ago 2
@justkiddin08 Thank you !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@justkiddin08 Thank you !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
Fascinating video. Loved it. Thanks so much for sharing it. My Uncle was an Engineer on the Belt RailRoad, last in the '80s.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
@JetMechMA thank you !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@JetMechMA At the time of recording this I did it so we could have it for the family. But then youtube came into existence.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
Why the phone for communication? Since he has to wear ear defenders anyway, why not make them head-phones with a mouth-piece for talking on the radio?
JetMechMA 1 year ago
@JetMechMA I don't know why but remember this was shot in 1997.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@JetMechMA I'm not sure, the sense that I got was that Metra could be cheap in some areas. The Rock Island seemed more family oriented. I say that because Metra was the one that said "Okay, no more free tickets for family and friends".
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo: I say that because Metra was the one that said "Okay, no more free tickets for family and friends".
JM: What a shame. Thats the end of an era right there. Thanks again for such a nice video.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
I'm surprised they haven't digitized the operation of the locomotive by now. The aircraft autopilot is controled by three knobs in the manual mode...speed, heading and altitude. The last two wouldn't be needed on a train, of course. But it would be EASY to control the speed of the train by use of auto-throttle and have a knob as the interface. You could even have auto-braking for pulling into the station. The engineer takes over braking when it reaches zero MPH, while passenegrs get on and off.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
@JetMechMA Hey, I can't argue with that. Your right on the money !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@JetMechMA then it wouldn't be really running a locomotive, it would just be sitting there with controls set for speed and braking waiting for a red signal or obstacle to pop up along your trip into or out of Chicago.
Amtrak1194 1 year ago
@Amtrak1194: then it wouldn't be really running a locomotive...
JM: Well, that's what some pilots say about airplanes and auto-pilots. But I doubt any of them would want to go back to the old days without digital controls.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
Noisy environment. Unbelievable they didn't make the cab any quieter for the Engineer. I just can't believe it. Airliners are many times louder than a locomotive yet the cockpit is at conversational levels of noise. This is the year 2010....how can this be at this late date in railroading history? My father worked 33 years on the IHB as a signal maintainer.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
@JetMechMA yeah they should have made it quieter, most engineers speak loudly to each other.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@JetMechMA With airliners your cabin is pressurized and the two or four engines are 10 to 50 feet behind you.
With a locomotive the engine is massive and you are sitting right on top of it.
You can't compare a train to a plane...
Amtrak1194 1 year ago
@Amtrak1194: I think they should compare trains and planes. I operate aircraft engines, and just open the window while they are running and see how loud they are. I'm pretty sure they could install more sound insulation in a locomotive cab. I'm surprised the workers haven't pushed for it, by this late date in railroading history. Amazing.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
Great video, enjoyed it a lot, RIP for your father.
I was an engineer on Caltrain for a few years out of San Francisco, CA, but do not do it any longer due to a serious work place injury to my lower back, I miss the job greatly, this brings back memories.
fjcaron 1 year ago
@fjcaron thank you, I take it as a great compliment when a train engineer enjoyed watching one of my video's !!
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo Oh your most welcomed, feel free to check out my channel, go to the very last page and I have some cab ride videos, my mug isn't in there, just video aiming down the track but you can see the territory I worked, very similar to your fathers, just in the west coast of California.
fjcaron 1 year ago
WOW My dream is near reality. To be the engineer heading the passenger train.
lailasalas 1 year ago
@lailasalas really, that's great !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
great vid!
marklodge231 1 year ago
@marklodge231 thank you !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
Love your video man
cherishall 1 year ago
@cherishall Thank you
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@cherishall That's the kind of compliment that makes it worth editing and downloading.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@cherishall Thank you !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
My son wishes to be a train engineer and just started this YT account for him.......this vid is great stuff
AwesomeTrains2010 1 year ago
@AwesomeTrains2010 Wow, what can I say . Thank you
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
Why did he notch up so fast? Are you supposed to do that with passenger consists?
s7o0a0p 1 year ago
@s7o0a0p Short train so usually OK but at meal time be carefull or the conductor may call up and give you a little shit:)
han0115 1 year ago
does an engineer only work one division?
skullcrusher301 1 year ago
@skullcrusher301
Yes he does most of the time. But i know a guy who works on the milwaukee west line and he has to know the north central service line and both milwaukee roads even though hes a milw-w line engineer.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
More great videos! Like I said thanks for sharing!
metraF40PH163 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing the ride, I love these type videos, Great ride. Sorry to here of your loss.
steveott1969 1 year ago
I want to be an engineer so badly. . . To see all the sights, to do all the fun things, meet all the new people, everyones so old as an engineer though. Is it even possible to have your first job at a locomotive company being an engineer?
videoman223 1 year ago
@videoman223 For metra you work for one year as a breakman. then you take a 9 month class and u can become an engineer.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
Thanks for putting this video up here. Pretty good stuff. Jim seems like a really good guy and guys like me that will never get the opportunity to do what you did really appreciate it.
My name is Jim too!
jjaagg5050 1 year ago
@jjaagg5050 I don't know why it's taken me so long to comment on these postings.
I should have gotten to them earlier. Thank you Jim for the compliment. I never called my dad Jim. Even when I was 45 I was calling him dad.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo Ha Ha! It's ok. Thanks very much! Pretty neat way to remember your father. Thanks for sharing him with us.
jjaagg5050 1 year ago
When you set the automatic brake I knotice you don't balle off, are you on a grade?
han0115 1 year ago
@han0115 This is my dad in 1995 on the Chicago to Joliet line. My dad passed away in 2007.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo My dad was a engineer for the Rock for 49 yrs. He retired in 92', and died in 2006. I worked for the Rock Island for 7 yrs.
CrazyGrandpa2 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo My dad worked for the Rock Island for 49 yrs. as a engineer. He retired in 1992. I worked for the Rock island for 7 yrs. My dad died in 2006.
CrazyGrandpa2 1 year ago
@CrazyGrandpa2 WoW ! well he beat my dad then. My dad worked only 43 years.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo aw man im so sorry to hear!!!!! I hope his passing was peaceful mate. May I ask what your father did to get in this line of work?
tomkkkkk 1 year ago
@tomkkkkk The answer is in the engineer Jim interview here on youtube. He talks about starting as a clerk.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@han0115 With the throttle in idle, making an automatic reduction will setup blended braking. When the dynamics kick in, it will bail that automatic set on the locomotive off.
railroadjeep 1 year ago
@han0115 We always bail off the independent break, to avoid overheating the locomotive breaks.
trainman2816 1 year ago
I heard engineers could make up to 100,000 a year. All benefits paid for. I heard if you have a four year college degree your in at Metra.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
So that everyone knows and I set the record straight- I will be putting on youtube an interview with my dad back in 2005 2 years before he died. In the interview he explains how he started out as a clerk then got promoted a number of times.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo That should be a cool video.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
How hard is it to get a job for metra as a locomotive engineer?
MetraFan77 1 year ago
@MetraFan77 That I know of very hard it pays very well. Back in 1981 during a recession, I tried and put my dad down as a reference and I could not get in.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo
It pays very well? So you never got in? I would love to be a metra train engineer someday.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo Wow. If you dont mind me askig do you know the pay? I would love to make a career as a metra engineer.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
You don't start as an engineer! If you did that it sounds as if you didn't do your homework.
pilotmanmax 1 year ago
@pilotmanmax Yes that's true, You do not start out as a train engineer - you have to prove yourself by starting out usually on the bottom of the totem pole.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
If you mean by doing entry level RR jobs than yes. Examples are brakeman, switchman, condcutor etc., etc.
pilotmanmax 1 year ago
@pilotmanmax I know you sont start out as one. I do know quite a bit about it.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
@tubefilmvideo Oh. I heard a conductor makes $70,000 a year.
MetraFan77 1 year ago
@MetraFan77 that's probably true - remember they are the guys who give the go ahead for the train pulling out of a station - again peoples lives in thier hands as well as the engineer.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
You don't start an RR career as an engineer, you have to have a few years experience as a condcutor usually with a freight operator because unlike some I don't believe Metra hires non engineers, they onyl hire seasoned engineers. Do your research.
pilotmanmax 1 year ago
How hard is it to get a job for metra as a locomotive engineer?
MetraFan77 1 year ago
@MetraFan77 Right now, I don't know but my dad started out in the mail room and worked his way up.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
This was back when they could let you in the cabs of locomotives.
ChicagoRailMan 2 years ago
@ChicagoRailMan exactly !!!
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
I hate those type of horn buttons. They can be hard to press as opposed to the "mushroom" style buttons.
protection8050 2 years ago 8
@protection8050 I didn't know that, The kids who want to be train engineers are the ones who want to know about the hoirn button
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@protection8050 Well I wouldn't know but it sounds like your right.
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
fantastic video about your dad and his work.
KIWIT4 2 years ago
Thanks, for 20 years I video taped weddings, and legal depositions.
Back when I taped this stuff I thought - someday I'll put something together.
Then youtube came along and I thought that train people would get a kick out of seeing the footage.
tubefilmvideo 2 years ago
wow he looks sad! they must feel lonely.
TheRealReasonForDP 2 years ago
Maybe he felt lonely but you have to realize that he has to be serious - he has in his hands peoples lives. He had to always be alert - believe me he joked around a lot at home.
tubefilmvideo 2 years ago
I love this! I wanna be an enginner for rock island when I get older!
metroliner89 2 years ago 6
@metroliner89 cool !
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@metroliner89 I love metra!
metroliner89 1 year ago
@metroliner89 I like metra too but I preferred when it was the Rock Island
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@metroliner89 sounds good to me
tubefilmvideo 1 year ago
@metroliner89 rock island is now IAIS
re49991 1 year ago
This is great!!!
Gladiator0719 2 years ago 2
I live in Chicago and I wanted to know when was this shot?
Jabbajawz4life 2 years ago
either 1996 or 1997. my dad retired in 1997/
tubefilmvideo 2 years ago
@Jabbajawz4life This was shot in the late 90'