Engineers/Conductors: have you ever heard of this?

Question

I observed a loaded train stop near a small town. It appeared the crew exited the cab and walked across the street to a mini-mart and bought snacks then started on their way. Is this normal? Perhaps one of the crew was sick and needed something? I just thought it was strange.

Answer 1

Engineers and conductors are people too. People need to eat and drink.

Its not strange. Its perfectly normal.

Answer 2

Hmmm...never heard this before dude, but this seemed to be a special case where, as you guessed that they stopped because of any ungency or need....if you think that if it was normal case then the passengers would kick the crew's butt at every stop ha ha ha ha .........NMN

Answer 3

If I'm lucky enough to stop somewhere with food nearby, I'm going to eat.  You never know how long you'll be on a train, so it's best to eat if you get the chance.

I actually stop alot in Liberty, MO and get excelent BBQ at the Liberty Bend store Coductor MTM was talking about.

Answer 4

Its not unusual...I have seen that myself...but if you noticed they probably had a portable radio with them and had permission ...

Answer 5

It happens almost every time the opportunity presents itself.

At one time, train and engine crews had a right to request to eat en route.  If space (an empty siding) and time allowed.  No more, though.

But, we know where the mini markets are, and still use 'em.  With the advent of the cell phone, however, pizza delivery is not out of the question either.  There's a spot not two miles distant from where I live, where Mott Road crosses the tracks over the main and siding.  It is commonly referred to as "Starvation Point," and getting stuck there for extended periods is the norm.  But, the guys from Round Table and Say Cheese Pizza know exactly where it is.

Answer 6

Yes, this is more common on Shortline Railroads than on Class One Railroads.  I my self worked for a Shortline railroad.  Any time we did not bring lunch or wanted to stop, we always stoped and got a few things.  Usually if the crew is sick, they will get a hold of the disatcher and get another crew member, or get to where they are going as fast as possible.  Most TrainMasters dont care about you stoping as long as you get to were you are going and as long as you get all of your work done.  

Also, even though it has already been said, the train crews do get pizza delivered to the train tracks.  I know one of my last trips that I had in Illinois, we decided to have a good lunch on our way, so we had pizza delivered.

Answer 7

At a store I used to work at the train tracks ran literally 30 ft behind the store and the trains would always stop and the crew would come in the store. The Trainmaster (Boss) found out about it though, through complaints of people because of road crossings being blocked for a few minutes, and they cannot stop there anymore.

Answer 8

happens lots of times. just hope not buying beer

Answer 9

Well my uncle is an engineer and I don't know much about it, but im sure its allowed as long it doesn't effect traffic or line traffic. Gotta watch the blocking of traffic because there is always the "prettiest girl in the world" that is about to mis a hair opintment and feels necessary to have the train on its way even though the train conducter\engineer deserves a break. Some people just don't appreciate what has to be done to keep their lives going..

Answer 10

You lot run railways weird! In the UK once you take on the train,  you have to stay with it. Drivers/Guards can't just wander off to the shops, we are required by law to be with the train we're working all the time. Personal Need Breaks are set into your timetable. On passenger trains, if the Guard wants the toilet, they use the passenger ones. If the Driver wants it, then they have to wait till a station, & get permission from the Station Manager to leave the cab unattended!

This may be a little out of date, as it's been some time since I worked for the railways

Answer 11

This is not uncommon, but it depends on a few factors.  First, how busy is the line you are operating on?  If the dispatcher lets you know there is something ahead of you that is going to hold things up for a while, then you can step out like that.  When I was on the road, we knew every good place to eat and buy snacks along both lines I ran.  If we had a setout in Atchison, KS, we usually walked to the McDonnalds or Long John Silvers near the tracks.  A real treat was to be stuck at Paul, NE for a while to get one of the good bugers at the Paul Tavern.  The grocery store in Mercer, MO made excellent sandwiches too.  Local and switching jobs often had regular stops.  I used to see the BN guys in Liberty, MO stop for beans at a convienence store all the time.

A couple of things we didn't do was (1) foul any road crossings and (2) buy booze.  We tried to be real good about blocking drivers because that gets you in trouble with the locals.  Buying booze could get you in real troouble.  I never saw any drinking on the rails, although I heard the pre 1987 stories all the time.  Thank God that party ended!