cpotisch
Engineer
Looking around the web, it seems like it was a combination of the two.The term actually originates from steam locomotives actually. A foaming engine was close to explosion so a bad thing.
Looking around the web, it seems like it was a combination of the two.The term actually originates from steam locomotives actually. A foaming engine was close to explosion so a bad thing.
The social difficulties was the conclusion of the members of the other forum several years ago when discussing the difference between a railfan and a foamer. I appear to have drawn a different understanding of the term foamer than is accepted here.The term "foamer" is a slightly derogatory (I couldn't care care less about that, honestly) term for an avid railfan, since that's someone who "foams at the mouth" when they see a train. So I really don't think that the difference (if there even is one) between a railfan and a foamer would be that the latter must have social difficulties.That said, I may have misunderstood the difference between a railfan and a foamer.
Hi there, and thanks for the reply.During my 7 years at CSX Intermodal in a clerk position, working the extra board like all new hires do on the railroad, I concluded that the job would be great for an unmarried, no girl friend, 20-something living with their parents (free or low-cost rent). Fortunately, the extra board at CSXI was(is?) 'guaranteed', meaning that unlike all other RR extra boards that only work when called, the 40 hour guarantee means will WILL BE working 40 hrs per week. When not filling other employees vacation and sick days, the manager would tell me what scheduled job to work for the next couple of days. But I always had to remain within the area to be able to be there within 2 hrs of being called. Needless to say, that 2 hr requirement means one doesn't go out and get drunk with their friends. As a semi-regular Amtrak passenger, in talking with various A/Cs that began to recognize me and I, them, it was clear their extra board is 'you work when we call you any hour of the night or day to fill a job any hour night or day'. Fortunately, they were mostly filling vacation times only, as far as I could tell.
Being zero seniority at any RR job means whatever 'regular' position you (sort-of-permanently) fill, if you're lucky enough to get other than an extra board or relief position, you can be guaranteed that at some point, maybe 2 days or years from now, you will be bumped out of that job by a more senior coworker, not necessarily working from your crew base, either. The conductors and engineers I got to know at CSX had countless war stories of being bumped and some of the things they had to do as a result. Of course, with zero seniority, or close to it, if there's a cutback, you're on the street until they call you back.
Lastly, as an Amtrak A/C, perhaps the biggest thing you need to be is a 'people person'. If not, you will absolutely hate your job and all the <very derogatory descriptive term/expletive> passengers. I've witnessed Amtrak conductors that should have been a US Marines drill sergeant as they yelled at passengers 'in your face' style. Others complained about everything, especially the passengers. At the same time, expect passengers to yell at you for no reason, especially if they failed to get off at their stop, like you were supposed to hold the train until they took their sweet time to get off. You'll be dealing with drunks, those under the influence, sick and/or vomiting passengers, unruly kids running up and down the aisles, and, of course, loud people in the quiet car, or just about any other kind of jerk, a**hole, and too many other descriptions for passengers. If you can't stay calm and forceful, you likely shouldn't become a conductor.
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