A New Railroader

Disclaimer: This isn't directly related to the Frisco; please forgive me for that.

After 13 years of law enforcement, I am resigning my position with the Union Police Department to accept a position with the Central Midland Railway, a subsidiary of Progressive Rail. My duties will include doing light maintenance on the locomotives, inspections, and filling in for train service as needed. The Central Midland Railway operates 60 miles of former Rock Island trackage between St. Louis and my home town in Union. The line serves various customers in St. Louis, Maryland Heights, Chesterfield and Union, as well as the giant Ameren electric plant in Labadie.

Being a police officer became very stressful for me in the last few years, and I saw a lot of things that caused me to lose sleep at night (or during the day). But in 2009, it was the very thing that started what became a strong connection to the railroad. I was called one Monday morning to take a property damage report that was the result of someone breaking the windows out of a SW1500 that had been parked in town over the weekend. I immediately stuck up a friendship with the crew, and later the general manager, which led to me riding numerous trips over the line as a guest, winding lazily along the beautiful Missouri River bottom lands.

I thank God for the little punk who threw the rocks at the switcher back in 2009. I never found out who he was, but if I ever do, I intend to slap the s%@# out of him, then shake his hand.

Pat Moreland,
Union Mo.

 

I would wish you well, on your journey. Rail lines bring about a little different kind of stress, but I think its the good kind. Keep your wits, about you as the railroad can be just as dangerous, don't take anything for granted and ask why, something is done in the manner its done.
One thing on the down side, that I want to tell you about as a friend. Don't take it wrong and look at this in a positive light.
One of my most heartfelt moments came in Denver, I was called to a accident scene in the yard and a guy got what we in the industry call "coupled up" between the knuckles. Slack is the reason, you separate the cars, don't ever break the 50 Ft. Rule. Just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes, after all these years. I wont go into details, but the guy lived, but if the cars were separated, would end his life. His only wish was to talk with his wife, before passing. He got that one wish.
The time waiting, for her to be rushed their was the worst in my life. Thats all I have to say about that.
You can always PM, me or others on the site, there is a lot of experience on this site and no reason you can not take advantage of it.

If something does not seem right, then ask. I have worked just about every kind of rail line out their. Lots of great times and some not so great, but never the less I learned something at every level.
If you can hang, with the railroad the retirement is the best, anywhere.
Bill Jackson

 

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice, Bill. As Don said, safety, safety, safety is the rule of a first responder, especially police officers, who always have to be aware of their surroundings, whether it's responding to a burglar alarm, conducting a traffic stop, or flagging traffic at an accident scene. In the case of the latter two, you always have to keep a watch out for the careless, inattentive driver who can smack you at 55 miles per hour as you're standing roadside. And Bill, I still have those FEC safety glasses that you gave me a couple of years ago. I used to wear them to the firing range. Now I will wear them on my new job.

Keith is right about life being too short to live with constant stress. I've done rotating shifts for the past 13 years, and missed countless holidays and birthday parties. Last summer, I answered the call for a traumatic death of the child of a close friend and co-worker. I had thought that I was tough and nothing was capable of shocking me. I was very wrong.

Unlike a Class 1, working for the CMR is a Monday through Friday operation with no night shifts. Being the father of a small child, it's a good fit for me.

Pat Moreland,
Union Mo.
Pat

 

Pat, as someone who was a police officer for 12 years before being retired from line of duty injuries. I think that this is the best thing that you can do for yourself and particularly for your family. Leaving while you still have your health and physical abilities means that you can enjoy engaging in all kinds of activities with them. My years as a police officer were good years and I guess I still miss them. However my family has paid a high price for them. No matter what. Put your familys welfare and coming home to them FIRST always. God Bless and the best of luck on your new career.

Robert

 

Best of luck to you, Pat. Railroading is either in your blood, or not. You'll find out now for sure. Hope it works out for you in the best possible way.

 

Thanks Robert and Andre. Robert, you are correct. My family has suffered enough. I remember leaving for work one evening a few years ago with my son hanging onto my leg crying. The divorce rate for law enforcement is something like 80%. My wife is a trooper (no pun intended) for having put up with it for all of these years. As far as railroading being in my blood, I believe that it is, at least on my mother's side. Her father worked for the Frisco for 20 plus years, as did most of his cousins. The last one retired from BNSF just a few years ago. All of them were involved in maintenance of way, and they all loved their jobs. When I told my mother that I was going to work for the railroad, she (with more than a little bit of emotion) said "Your Grandpa would be proud".

Pat Moreland,
Union Mo.

 

Thank you for your service Pat and Robert, and anyone else I missed.

 

Best of success with the change, Pat.
Just remember to be careful where you stick your hands ... Things will bite you quickly and when least expected.

 

Sherrel, good advice. Seems like the first year is about the worst although with Pat's background, he's well prepared. As time passes you get less and less alert. Everyone wishes all the best for Pat. It is more dangerous than most people think.

 

How well I know, William.
I spent my summers while in H/S and College working as a roughneck and a roustabout in the oil fields.
Witnessed the death of two people and numerous other injuries.

 

Thank you, Craig, for your comment. It was the expressions of gratitude like that from citizens that made police work rewarding.

I appreciate the words of wisdom from all of you with regard to safe train operation. My Grandpa talked of how his best friend was killed in Lindenwood Yard by stepping in front of a moving train while walking across multiple tracks between cars. That story always stuck with me.

My first real job was working for Briggs and Stratton when they had a plant in Rolla (before they packed up and headed for China). I ran a die-cast machine making flywheels. It was a hot, greasy, and overall dangerous job. A ladle attached to a robotic arm would dip into molten aluminum, pour it into a funnel, then a plunger with some insane PSI would push it into the mold. If the dies weren't sealed well, the aluminum would shoot out of the sides, burning clothing and any exposed skin. When the machine was down for repairs or maintenance, a locked safety switch was supposed to be activated to prevent any accidental closing of the dies. During my five years there, at least two co-workers lost fingers while running or repairing die cast machines, and to the best of my memory, it was due to human, not machine, error.

Like Bill said, I believe that the experience from my previous jobs have well prepared me for railroad work, although I take nothing for granted.

Pat Moreland,
Union Mo.

 

Congratulations on the job, Pat. I've known a few cops who came to the railroad and all but one has been a good fit with the railroad.

I always try to think of GCOR 1.1 "In case of doubt or uncertainty, always take the safe course." If you're unsure of a movement or can't see it, just stop the movement. Sounds simple, but a minute or two of repositioning yourself is better than the hours of rerailing a derailed car or worse.

Here's some more unsolicited advice: expect movement at any time on any track in either direction. Especially if you're on a car prepared to ride. Riding the end of a cut of cars is like hanging onto the end of a bullwhip, so be prepared for movement.

Stay safe, and enjoy yourself. It's quite a thing to find yourself smiling for no particular reason while you work.

 

Thanks, Ken. Come to Union some time, and I will introduce you to the crew. They are a great group of guys, which is another plus for me, since I've known most of them for the past five years. And by the way, being in Florida right now doesn't seem like much of a problem! It's 35 degrees here in the St. Louis area as I write this.

Ryan, thank you as well. I really do appreciate the advice that all of you have given me, and I never really thought about it until you mentioned it, but riding a cut of cars must be a little bit like riding a bucking horse, with the rocking and the slack action. I promise you all to keep safety at the forefront of my mind, and do my best to return home to my family everyday, just as I did when I was a police officer (which, by the way, I still have four shifts to go).

Pat Moreland,
Union Mo.