Differant Rail Positions

[thpbears]

I hear some of the following titles and was curious what the difference was in the following. Train Master, Road Foreman of Engines and what their job actually intels . Thanks.

[Ponce de Leon]

Traditionally, a Trainmaster is an operations supervisor, with emphasis on overall crew performance, operations, safety, rules compliance, etc. An RFE (Road Foreman of Engines) is the same basic "rank" within officialdom and the same responsibilities, but with an emphasis on monitoring engine crewmen, including train and locomotive handling. There are other divisions of this position, such as a Terminal Trainmaster. As you might imagine, those positions relate more to yard and terminal operations rather than line of road.

Years ago, on some roads, an RFE was also called a Traveling Engineer (such was the case on the L&N until it, too, began using the RFE title in the mid-'60s). It was also a company official position.

Trainmasters and Road Foremen of Engines usually work together, or at least in a coordinated fashion. That's particularly true on rules compliance exercises.

That's a simple explanation.

[thpbears]

Thanks for explaining that to me. On another note The coal industry is looking rough in your neck of the woods. I remember growing up in Big Stone and it was a busy busy place. Its truly a shame. Never thought I would see the day.

[Ponce de Leon]

Yes sir, it's pretty bad right now. Rail traffic on both CSX and NS has fallen off to virtually nothing on many days. It's hard to grasp.