Not only is my husband always on call for the railroad, he is the Local Chairman of his union. I am really proud of my husband and the work that he does as a Local Chairman, even though his phone rings non stop. Day, night, it doesn't matter, he is always getting calls. Some of them are urgent and some could have waited until a more decent hour than 2am. He will always answer his phone, unless of course if he is sleeping. We could be in the middle of a conversation when his phone rings and he will answer it. That's ok, I am used to it by now. What he can't do anymore is have his phone on when we go out to dinner. I told him I would divorce him if he answered during a night out again. (just kidding, I would never do that!)

We used to have a difference of opinions when it came to unions. I used to work for a retailer that is anti union (though they say they are not, just pro associate) and he is all about the union. It made for some interesting arguments! Now that I have taken the blinders off, I can see why some companies need unions. His definitely needs it. If it was up to the carrier, there would be only one person on the train, the engineer, and they would probably be working 18 hour days. There is a whole list of other reasons why the railroads need the union, but I don't have the room to list them all.

He is always there for his guys and willing to do whatever he can to help them. That could be going into an investigation to save a job, listening when they need to vent, helping them get days off,or going to the hospital if they get hurt. He does all this and a whole lot more with loads of patience and compassion. I know a lot of the guys look up to him and are grateful for the work he does. I for one am proud of my railroader!

Did you know a freight train could weigh up to 16,000 tons, it's speed is up to 70 mph, and it can be over a mile long. It could take a train over 2 miles to come to a stop. So a freight train cannot stop quickly in case of an emergency, nor can it swerve out of your way.

In 2007 there were 986 injuries and 389 fatalities at railroad crossings. These figures were found at Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit organization dealing with railroad safety for the public. Believe it or not, some people still try to go around the gates at the railroad crossing, hoping to beat the train. The last thing that an engineer and his crew wants, is to hit someone on the tracks. Is trying to save a few minutes by not waiting for the train really worth your life and possibly the lives of the train crew? The psychological damage done to the engineer and the crew when they hit someone is life altering and effects not only them, but their families as well.

So the next time you come to a railroad crossing and the gates are coming down be safe and stop. Use those few minutes that you have to wait to reflect on your day, jot a few notes down or return a phone call. Believe me those are not wasted minutes, they could be lifesaving.

On The Road

It's 3 am and my husband's cell phone is ringing, but he doesn't hear it. I nudge him to answer his phone. It's the railroad calling him for work. He is on call 24 hours a day, 7days a week, 365 days a year. He doesn't get days off like most people do on their jobs. He usually works 12 hour days, but it sometimes is a lot longer than 12 hours that he is on the train. They are not allowed by law to work more than 12 hours, so if they are not where they are supposed to be, they then have to stop the train and wait for a ride. Sometimes their ride comes quickly and sometimes my husband has had to wait to 5 hours or more for his ride. It's on days like this that he is so tired when he gets home, he barely gets his boots off and he is asleep.

I mentioned in my last post that his run is from Colton, California to Yuma Arizona. When he gets to Yuma, he rest for usually 12 hours before making the return trip home. When he gets home, he again gets 12 to 18 hours rest, sometimes more before going back to work. With him being gone so much, our son doesn't usually see his dad very much through the week. On weekends he gets to spend some time with him if my husband is not working.

It's not aways easy for me with him being on the road so much, but I have learned over the years to cope with it. I use to work outside the home, but it got to be too much for me because I was always worrying about our son being left alone so much of the time. He is almost 17 years old, but my husband and I both feel that this is the time he needs at least one of us there. His grades had been slipping and he was not very happy. I am glad to say that since I have been home though, he has pulled all of his grades up and now he is a very happy teenager. What a difference having me at home has made! Since I do stay home, I started my own internet business, and it is my goal to have a nice thick blanket of financial security so my husband can spend more time at home.

It's Not Alway's Easy

My husband works for the railroad. He is a freight train engineer that has a run from Colton, California to Yuma, Arizona. Needless to say, he is gone much of the time. With this blog I will attempt to tell you how this effects our lives.

I found these Wedding Vows http://nScale.net


Dearly Beloved, We are gathered here today in accordance with the FRA, AAR, TC and other regulatory bodies to unite these two units in M.U. service. If anyone takes exception, file your grievance or get in the clear. (Insert groom's name here) Do you take this woman to be your trailing unit, tying down your pin lifter forever, and permanently restricting yourself from interchange service, even with newer, freshly painted units, remaining coupled despite flat wheels, sticking brakes, even unto bad orders and major derailments, until you are both rendered unto scrap? If so, signify by sounding your whistle as prescribed by CROR Rule 14(b). And, (groom's first name), do you promise to pull this unit up ruling grade, using throttle and brake wisely to prevent rough train handling, broken knuckles, and pulled drawbars, applying sand as necessary to prevent wheel slip, so that you both crest the hill together, regardless of the trailing tonnage? If so, signify by sounding your whistle as prescribed by CROR Rule 14(b). And do you also promise not to cut away from your trailing unit, even when her side sheets have rusted through, and her paint job has faded? If so, signify by sounding your whistle as prescribed by CROR Rule 14(b). Now, (insert bride's name here), do you take this man to be your lead unit, tying down your pin-lifter forever, and permanently removing yourself from interchange service, even with newer series, high adhesion, high horsepower units, remaining coupled despite flat wheels, sticking brakes, even unto bad orders and major derailments, until you are both rendered unto scrap? If so, signify by sounding your whistle as prescribed by CROR Rule 14(b). And do you promise to respond promptly to throttle and brake commands from your lead unit, handling your share of the tonnage, and helping your lead unit up ruling grade when necessary, being ever cautious to avoid unnecessary drawbar buffer forces? If so, signify by sounding your whistle as prescribed by CROR Rule 14(b). Do you also promise to remain coupled to your lead unit, even when he has traction motors cut out, and can no longer develop full horse- power? If so, signify by sounding your whistle as prescribed by CROR Rule 14(b). Now, (insert bride and groom's name), as a token of your intent to M.U., make the joint and stretch the slack. By the power invested in me by the General Manager, Superintendent of Operations, and the Road Foreman of Engines, I now pronounce you permanently coupled. You may cut in the air.