by Blackjack2
Well, after 3 years without any mishaps, it finally happened. As conductor I ran through my first switch
Was a totally a stupid manuever on my part....and the LAST piece of work we had to do on our shift too!! We were running around a covered hopper in order to spot it. Took my engineer through the switch, stopped then threw the switch for the siding (which we were going to come back through on). My engineer and I were discussing setting out the car on the industry track and agreed we'd better chock the car as the spur is on a pretty good hill. The engineer said he'd back up so I could ride the unit back to the enginehouse where I could grab a metal chock. Well, I told him "okay back" then SNAP. My first reaction, after I got that sick feeling in my stomach, was "Don't tell me I just did something THAT stupid! Well, needless to say I did.
Luckily nothing went on the ground. Just snapped the rod in the switch. Nothing else broken.
I immediately notifed my supervisor, who was extremely cool & kind about the whole incident. He asked if it was my first time running a switch, then said "welcome to the club kid." I think he knew that I felt terrible.
But, I'm determined to file it as a learning opportunity. Do you fellas remember your first screw-up? What was it? Maybe some of your stories will help someone like me avoid doing the same thing!!
Was a totally a stupid manuever on my part....and the LAST piece of work we had to do on our shift too!! We were running around a covered hopper in order to spot it. Took my engineer through the switch, stopped then threw the switch for the siding (which we were going to come back through on). My engineer and I were discussing setting out the car on the industry track and agreed we'd better chock the car as the spur is on a pretty good hill. The engineer said he'd back up so I could ride the unit back to the enginehouse where I could grab a metal chock. Well, I told him "okay back" then SNAP. My first reaction, after I got that sick feeling in my stomach, was "Don't tell me I just did something THAT stupid! Well, needless to say I did.
Luckily nothing went on the ground. Just snapped the rod in the switch. Nothing else broken.
I immediately notifed my supervisor, who was extremely cool & kind about the whole incident. He asked if it was my first time running a switch, then said "welcome to the club kid." I think he knew that I felt terrible.
But, I'm determined to file it as a learning opportunity. Do you fellas remember your first screw-up? What was it? Maybe some of your stories will help someone like me avoid doing the same thing!!