I was a rail for 15 years for BNSF,for reasons beyond my control I’m no longer employed there,I miss the job,the pay and even more I miss my brothers. It really became my family.
Congratulations on starting your next RR career! Thank you so much for taking us along - even though it’s a different line of work, I always learn something that crosses over into pieces of wisdom I can utilize.
As a ex Renzenberger driver I was lucky to get into the Southern pacific training center in Lenexa Kansas many years ago through a road foreman I had met
My experience there when I went through the program last year, they treated us pretty good. I drove from New Mexico to Kansas, so they paid per diem. the hotel we stayed at was very nice. It was Home2 suites. Pretty much each room there was a Small apartment. Great food everywhere. They fed us every day. This place called grandmas but eventually you get tired of sandwiches. Hear a lot of interesting stories about new conductors coming in of their hotel stays
Went through UP program in 2011. Sounds like similar program. We had disgruntled instructors against the carrier that guaranteed us we would pass. Congrats, that card opens doors. I work for the ihb out of blue island il now with a daily bump 2 days off. Class 1 money working for a class 3. I trained to run out of Joliet g4 down to ft Madison on Chillicothe run while at UP. Funny, Bnsf dispatchers knew you were running 69 mph not doing 70 mph so we would do 71, 72 and 73 for less than 90 seconds. Your video brings back memories for me. Thanks and blessings for your career.
Very Very Cool Jon and I can remember when I was in high school, my dad was Roadmaster for the FRISCO and then the BN out of KC to Springfield. Brings back so many memories 40 years ago and I remember he would go their for refresher courses on welding or LET for strike service if it were to ever arise. Look in the timetable on the Ft. Scott Sub for what is now C.P. Charlie and that was renamed that for his management skills and practices at the time. Sorry didn't mean to ramble on about nothing when this is supposed to be about your experience(s). The full motion Locomotive Simulator was state of the art at the time and is really cool to run. Anyways Thanks for the video Brother and most importantly, Have Fun 😘🙏👀 Andy
The program has changed quite a bit since I was there in 2014, I also stayed at the Extended Stay off Metcalf.. anyways keep up the good work brother, I just left BN in October after 10 years for Amtrak (their program… needs some adjustments 😆)
hey if you remember, ask about what BNSFs procedure is for if you're involved in a grade crossing incident... as it relates to the cops asking you for your drivers license ... i mention this because there have been engrs who have given the cops their state issued drivers license while being involved with a grade crossing incident and then that municipality assess points and car insurance goes up as a result... unless they've changed things, that was a grey area during the 90s when i was railroading
Never ever give them your driver's license and you really shouldn't hand your certification card to the police because they have trouble giving it back. Now that it's electronic instead of a physical card that is less of an issue.
Sounds to me like they really want you to be familiar with what you're getting into and then see you are willing to learn the rights and wrongs of the position and be able to implement as you're studying along. I know when I was in college that I really didn't do much goofing off even in time off because I wanted to get it done so I didn't have to cram like a fool or have to retake it because once I got out on the real time off, I could honestly goof off knowing I had everything done and tried to get ahead of the class.
I wish I one thing is very interesting on the information you gave me. It is kind of messed up that if you failed the test the second time your time with BSFN is over and a fire you it’s kind of messed up but I guess it’s called life.
I was a rail for 15 years for BNSF,for reasons beyond my control I’m no longer employed there,I miss the job,the pay and even more I miss my brothers. It really became my family.
Been there in 2022 and now, I'm back for conductor training.Signal, mechanical, and engineering was also something I was aware.
Great job describing the 3-week Kansas City Portion and Glad to hear the Experience was Well Planned. Thanks! 👍🙏
Congratulations on starting your next RR career! Thank you so much for taking us along - even though it’s a different line of work, I always learn something that crosses over into pieces of wisdom I can utilize.
As a ex Renzenberger driver I was lucky to get into the Southern pacific training center in Lenexa Kansas many years ago through a road foreman I had met
Got my engine card in 2022 at Minot. Made some good friends down there in KC and had a blast. Good luck with it and the check ride at the end!
How old were you when you started with BNSF. And what does the retirement look like, I am looking to get in at 39.?
My experience there when I went through the program last year, they treated us pretty good. I drove from New Mexico to Kansas, so they paid per diem. the hotel we stayed at was very nice. It was Home2 suites. Pretty much each room there was a Small apartment. Great food everywhere. They fed us every day. This place called grandmas but eventually you get tired of sandwiches. Hear a lot of interesting stories about new conductors coming in of their hotel stays
Being in the program now is smart with all the cuts they are making...I'm kinda surprised they are still having classes coming up
I completed my interview and medical test for BNSF waiting for final offer letter to eventually reach my destination of LETP someday.
Nice bro ! Congrats keep up the hard work
Went through UP program in 2011. Sounds like similar program. We had disgruntled instructors against the carrier that guaranteed us we would pass. Congrats, that card opens doors. I work for the ihb out of blue island il now with a daily bump 2 days off. Class 1 money working for a class 3. I trained to run out of Joliet g4 down to ft Madison on Chillicothe run while at UP. Funny, Bnsf dispatchers knew you were running 69 mph not doing 70 mph so we would do 71, 72 and 73 for less than 90 seconds. Your video brings back memories for me. Thanks and blessings for your career.
Hey trucking too. Get it under limit before time expires lol.
Very Very Cool Jon and I can remember when I was in high school, my dad was Roadmaster for the FRISCO and then the BN out of KC to Springfield.
Brings back so many memories 40 years ago and I remember he would go their for refresher courses on welding or LET for strike service if it were to ever arise.
Look in the timetable on the Ft. Scott Sub for what is now C.P. Charlie and that was renamed that for his management skills and practices at the time.
Sorry didn't mean to ramble on about nothing when this is supposed to be about your experience(s).
The full motion Locomotive Simulator was state of the art at the time and is really cool to run.
Anyways Thanks for the video Brother and most importantly, Have Fun 😘🙏👀
Andy
The program has changed quite a bit since I was there in 2014, I also stayed at the Extended Stay off Metcalf.. anyways keep up the good work brother, I just left BN in October after 10 years for Amtrak (their program… needs some adjustments 😆)
Keep up the good work my friend!
Thanks, will do!
Was at the training center in 98' and 99' for electrical training, perdium was 30 dollars per day then. Retired in 2022.
Yeah I had a blast k Kansas, LETP was neat
What area are you from i have some buddies that run usually from enid to Tulsa
Are you at a pretty senior terminal hogger wise? How long until you'd be fully set up holding?
Yeah my terminal is pretty high engine wise. It'll be several years for sure
John, curious as to what the training program layout is. And for your OJT do you start on yard/locals or straight to the road?
What terminals have the greater need for engineers? Like, you don't have to wait, seniority wise, to get started in the program?
Did you meet Summer behind the front desk? That little plastic control stand is called Rail Driver.
hey if you remember, ask about what BNSFs procedure is for if you're involved in a grade crossing incident... as it relates to the cops asking you for your drivers license ... i mention this because there have been engrs who have given the cops their state issued drivers license while being involved with a grade crossing incident and then that municipality assess points and car insurance goes up as a result... unless they've changed things, that was a grey area during the 90s when i was railroading
Never ever give them your driver's license and you really shouldn't hand your certification card to the police because they have trouble giving it back. Now that it's electronic instead of a physical card that is less of an issue.
It’s still a thing. It say right in our TT
Good memories in K.C good BBQ. Anyone been to Tangos or Bonita Flats😅
John,How would you advance to level 5 engineer status brother? I'm proud of you
I have no idea what a level 5 engineer is man lol
Level 5 means how big your Head gets to be after becoming an engineer... LOL...
@@stephenthompson439 okay, but which head lol
Sounds to me like they really want you to be familiar with what you're getting into and then see you are willing to learn the rights and wrongs of the position and be able to implement as you're studying along. I know when I was in college that I really didn't do much goofing off even in time off because I wanted to get it done so I didn't have to cram like a fool or have to retake it because once I got out on the real time off, I could honestly goof off knowing I had everything done and tried to get ahead of the class.
just curious, Any idea of the success rate of the ~60 attendees ?
Bnsf sent people right out of conductor training when I started the bottom seniority was forced to go a week after
I wish I one thing is very interesting on the information you gave me. It is kind of messed up that if you failed the test the second time your time with BSFN is over and a fire you it’s kind of messed up but I guess it’s called life.
I agree it is messed up
Have the layoffs hit the transportation department yet
Obviously not! lol lemme guess,you have insider information on when/if cuts will happen?
No I work for another railroad and heard about the big hits in the mechanical side was just curious about transportation side?
How many people failed while you were down there?
John,Now your an engineer now right brother?
Not yet, still doing ojt
Camera for security on campas but NOT on trains lol
What is the woman doing in the background?
That's my wife doing online school work
Is that your daughter?
That’s my wife if you pay attention to the video
I know I was just messing with you
The " blind leading the blind" just like trucking etc. Lots of ways to inprove. Is it " kosher" ? So sorry so sad. Lol