Operating the Choo Choo

Today was the first day we actually got to operate the electrical train down the mainline tracks, more than say a few hundred feet. It was an interesting experience, as we stopped at all the stations along the way and made the standard announcements as if we were operating with patrons on board. There were four in our train, so we each berthed at about 5 stations, making all the necessary announcements as we entered.

I was fortunate to manually operate the train into one of the yards, which was our final destination. After lunch, a quick tour and some BSing, we boarded back up and headed back to our “training grounds.” I was to be the third to operate, got to check out the subway portions as we rode under the bay and through the tunnel.

I felt I did a good job, had some strong announcements, forgot a few things, but who didn’t? The instructor was hanging over us the entire time making sure something did not go wrong. Then again we can’t steer the train and maybe that is a good thing. I don’t know. One thing I do know, I am glad there are people who want to do this job. I hear from nearly everyone who was an operator it’s the “best job” they ever had. Personally, and I could not do it for a living. Sure the money is great, scheduling is not bad either. But, I realized today my future in trains does not sit up in the cab of the choo choo.

With nearly 6 weeks behind us, we still have some 46 weeks remaining of training. Sound like a long time? It is a helluva long time. I will be working overtime on New Year’s Eve, sort of a crowd control type of position at a yet to be determined station platform in downtown San Francisco. No real plans with the wife or Zoom, so she was all for me working. Thanks wife!