Gregg posted:I must be missing something but when did you work as a regular engineer on diesels(spare board?). Are you a member of the UTU or BLE?
Yes.. quite an accomplished career and I understand you're also a Pilot... What would you rather do... Fly or run run the steamer?
I was a member of a union when I worked for the P&LE, but I don't recall which one it was. That was a long time ago! The Ohio Central was a non-union outfit.
In regional railroading we have to wear many hats. During the period from 1995 through 2005 I ran a lot of trains on the Ohio Central. We ran 40 car trains on a branch line that was a former street car line! Lots of heavy grades, light, 90-pound rail and old, tired ties. Careless train handling on that line would put you on the ground in a heartbeat. Right out of the yard we had a 2-mile long, 2% grade. Four GP10's had all they could handle on that grade with 40 loads. We'd get into the 5-minute short time ratings just as we crested the hill. Even though I was a company officer, I wasn't exempt from running trains almost every day. As I said, many hats...
Honestly, I would rather fly the King Air 200 than run the 765. It's a lot smoother, quieter and cleaner. And the view is a lot better, too. 
