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Originally Posted by Wes Tausend
Bill,
I liked your post about the 8000 ton freight whizzing by your elbow; brought back memories. Most of the time now, though, I'm forced to engine service and tucked away "safely" inside the cab. 
Still I worry when I'm stopped in a siding and desperate for a nap. We're allowed short official lull-naps now that the airlines allowed same, as long as the conductor promises to stay awake. 
So my theory is that I feel safer napping when the siding makes the mainline freights pass on the conductors side... just in case something goes horribly wrong. Extra 8 feet of room, you know. A man without illusion is disillusioned.
Speaking of adequate sleep, are you guys swamped with work lately? I think they sucked about 100 hours out of me this last week in spite of my attempt to take my days off (if we work 7, can get 3 off). I say attempt because they caught me an hour before the magic midnite hour of the 1st scheduled day and I didn't get back till late the 2nd, pretty well missing out. Again. Second time in a row. It's making me crazy. 
Chained to the screaming locomotive for 12 hours, then chained to a creaking hotel room for 12 and chained back to the locomotive for another 12 hours. Average 36 hour round trip, 2 to 3 per week. No wonder they call the job class, "Chaingang", at least locally. 
And my wife wonders why I would like to pound Margaritas when I get home. I need to rinse the smell of diesel fuel, coal dust and creosote from my nostrils. 
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Wes,I've turn down engine service countless times.There are enough FNGs below me that i shouldn't have to go.One craft in the cab is a long way off and one person in the cab is a carrier pipe dream 20+ years down the road.I work the Tucson-Yuma pool(254 miles) and i'm 31 out of 95 in senority.Right now we are turning about about every 55-60 hours on the west-end.12 over,12-24 in Motel 2 and 12 back.
The pool miles are being regulated artificially low by the TPA bastards at the UTU.The extra board is turning about every 24-30 hours during the week(no 7 & 3 thing) and turning on your rest on the weekend.(people laying off on the weekend-imagine that)
Caught you?You mean in a moment of forgetfullness-you answered the phone.
UP is double tracking the Sunset route and there is DT now from El Paso to Tucson with the exception of Wilcox.This January they're going to start in Tucson and go west.And of course DT will solve all problems with getting trains over the rails.
If it said Lionel on the side-UP couldn't run 'em.
Yeah,your safe in the cab all right.
But you'd still be safer 2 ft from a rig going 60mph.
And the carriers are scared to death of that rial safety bill before the Senate right now.