SEPTA channel chart

[trentbob]

He started out as a brakeman and worked as a conductor and yardmaster. He was a Superintendent of Rail Traffic at the Dundalk Marine Terminal in Baltimore when he retired. When I was a kid, he put me on a diesel switcher at the Canton yard. The engineman had me sit down in the engineer's seat and operate the locomotive. What a thrill for a kid! Even then, I knew how dangerous railroad equipment is and I was very careful. You could be fired for doing that now.

As always you and I are on the same wavelength Jim and I had the same type of experiences. My two family members, uncles, 1 was an engineer and the other was a signal maintainer. I thought it was amazing that in the snowstorms he would go out and light the pots under the switches. It took him all night.

I got the bug pretty early but had another career. I did dip into railroading as an engineer and in operations but left just under five years so as not to convert to Railroad Retirement. When I was an engineer I wasn't awarded my own job and worked the extra list so I had to be qualified on the entire Railroad both sides. I worked the yards a lot just shifting and doing protect Crews.

As far as safety goes I was always taught to follow the book of rules. You don't get hurt on the railroad you get... well... you know.

 

[tvengr]

I wouldn't even think about stepping on a rail. I have several rule books. When operating or being around railroad equipment, safety is the only thing that matters. Also, I am fully qualified at nitpicking.

 

[trentbob]

I wouldn't even think about stepping on a rail. I have several rule books. When operating or being around railroad equipment, safety is the only thing that matters. Also, I am fully qualified at nitpicking.

It's funny Jim, I have not been posting at all and all of my watched list have gone dead and this is one of them so when I saw your post I never even looked at your username, it was like a knee-jerk reaction. I was so surprised to see anybody even responding to me as I have not posted. If I see one more request for help for a 18 year old technology scanner still being sold and bought as new... ugh, I don't know how you do it, but kudos to you, you're always there to help. Very interesting talking about the Pennsylvania Railroad (SEPTA). Thanks.