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Conductor Dave and Fireman
Jim have a job in common. When the train is going to do a
runaround, where the engine moves from the front of the train to the back of the
train, they will both need to be working with the break pressure,
and working with the coupling mechanisms on the backend of each car.
The pressure is checked, and the conductor will ask for the engineer
for a three point protection before he re-boards the train.
This is done as a safety measure so that no one is hurt should the
train move suddenly. |
The conductor must have
a good interpersonal communication skills with people as he/she will
do a lot of talking with passengers. He/she will point out
interesting facts about the areas as we pass, and answer questions
about the train car's history, questions about what he/she is doing,
and sometimes reassuring passengers on safety issues.
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During the time while
passengers are waiting for the train to begin its run again, there
can be all kinds of events taking place on the train.
Passengers watch the crew as they work on the switches and break
hoses, go to the concession car to purchase snacks, take pictures of
the scenery, and occasionally passengers riding the train as a group
family reunion adventure (such as pictured below), they will break out in song!
As a conductor you'll need
to learn about watching the track to make certain it is lined
correctly as the train backs up. The radio is a very
important communication tool between the engineer, the fireman, and
the conductor as they all work in harmony to keep the train running
correctly, and to do the best possible job so that people are safe. |
 
In the Double Decker car
(right)
the conductor talks to passengers above and below. He is
pointing out the features that make this car unique. For
example, the
seats can be swiveled front to back. If you'd prefer to be seated
alone, you can move the seat ahead of you up and away from yourself.
You can see in
the picture above where the seat has been moved so that passengers
can be seated facing each other.
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While the train is backing
up, the conductor will radio the conditions at the
crossings "before" the train reaches them such as if the railroad crossing lights come on; if
the crossing is clear of cars and/or people:, and, how many car lengths
are between the backend of the train and where the engineer will
need to
stop the train.
Pictured to the right you
can see the tracks are not lined up to go straight ahead, and need
to be changed. Fireman Jim is making sure that the tracks are
going in the direction the train will be going.
Below, you can see
that the rail has been switched so that the train will go straight
ahead and not to the right, or head on into the train leaving the
station. The Switches will need to be pulled again for the
train leaving the station after we have cleared the way. |
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