Allllll Aboard!!

[didimauw]

No, I'll actually never get to say that. But as some of you may know, I started my in-class 7 week training session for Canadian National Railroad as a freight conductor, 7 weeks ago. Today I passed my final exam! The most nerve racking time off my life so far!

So I'm officially a conductor trainee! Off to start my orientation to begin my real work next Monday.
I know some people posted in my cob thread, that they had questions, or wanted to hear more about it, so without derailing (see what I did there?) that thread, I figure I'd start this one for inquiring minds.

 

[vokaa]

Do they provide you with a train conductor hat, or do you have to buy one for yourself?

 

[alan73]

Congrats on passing final exam. Always exciting to be done with any major exam.

 

[aquadoc]

Congratulations!

 

[saltedplug]

I am sure I'm wrong, but wouldn't you agree that conductors. . .conduct? I mean seven weeks of trying and then a big exam. . to conduct?
Oxford online defines conduct as:
1 Organize and carry out.
2 Lead or guide (someone) to or around a particular place.
1. So they taught you how to conduct a train. But trains are already put together in the appropriate cars, and the engine pulls, and you have nothing to do with either! How can one conduct something that's self-maintained? You neither have to organize the train nor aid it in carrying out its functions as a train.

2. N/A
Just wondering ha, ha.
(Congratulations!)

 

[philobeddoe]

Congratulations on passing your exam, how long is the Conductor Trainee stage.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Do they provide you with a train conductor hat, or do you have to buy one for yourself?

Yes, I want to know this too. Because if you get a super cool train conductor hat, that would be awesome! And if so, you must take a photo of you in said hat with pipe in mouth.
Congratulations!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:
And now, for your enjoyment.....

:mrgreen:

 

[warren]

How long until you become a "train boss?"
Many an old man, I'm one, envies you for achieving an old dream. Congratulations indeed!
The question: How many hours of training were there in "hobo wrangling?"

 

[leatherman]

Lol Warren!
Congrats on passing your exam! Good luck in your training!

 

[puffy]

Congratulation

 

[jpmcwjr]

Congrats! I bet you'll conduct yourself well in that arena as you have here.
And thanks for keeping the threads on the track by starting a new one.

 

[beefeater33]

Congratulations! That is too cool, I think everyone has dreamed of a job on a locomotive at one time or another.......... I know I have. This songs for you Didi............ :clap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piUWIqWSthA

 

[tuold]

Hearty congrats on you career path! Keep us posted on your progress.
I have some ancestors who were railroad workers in the early 1900s.
This is the closest I ever got to doing that myself, a conductor at Disneyland =)

 

[Chasing Embers]

Bravo didi. :clap: I too want to see you in that hat with your legendary Missouri Meer.

 

[brightleaf]

Congrats! I always thought it would be harder to get a train conductor job than to become a doctor. You seem to have found a sweet ride through life.

 

[jvnshr]

Congrats Kevin. And good luck to you!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

That is awesome! I’m sure that your experience as a moderator here will come in handy. You know... keeping threads on the tracks and all. ::

Congrats! That is one of the coolest jobs there is. You’ll need a good pocketwatch now.

 

[mikethompson]

Can you smoke a pipe whilst conducting? Honest question. I can't imagine there are too many jobs that would nowadays.

 

[didimauw]

Hahaha thanks guys!
1. No I don't get a hat...

2. No, I'm in charge of organizing the trains, in the order the cars get dropped off. My section, doesn't do passengers, only freight.

3. Now that campus training is over, I have to take at least 40-60 trips, before I "mark up", and become certified.

4. Pocket watches in my line will be too much, however I think it would be awesome. But watches are still a mandatory requirement. So yesterday I ordered myself a citizen eco drive, as a graduation present.

4. Hobo wrangling was the most difficult part. 80hrs of Bare knuckle brawls, knapsack slapping etc...it's rough :rofl:

 

[vokaa]

1. No I don't get a hat...

How could they! The hat is the most important part of being a train conductor. Without it... you're just... just... a train?
Anyways! Congrats on everything, gotta go get a hat now, I guess.