BLE Focus

Today's Casey Jones

One BLE member's take on the profession of locomotive engineer over the past century

By John R. Hill, Local Chairman & Legislative Representative, BLE Division 565 (Youngstown, Ohio)

The modern day locomotive engineer shares many of the same adventures and talents of the Casey Jones of yesteryear, but striking differences are evident as well.

Gone are the days of locomotive engineers operating fire breathing, smoke-belching dragons. Hauling 2,000 tons of miscellaneous freight (machine parts, lumber and foodstuffs) through the rugged hills of Tennessee, having only a watch and a milepost to keep track of train speed, has gone by the wayside.

The present day Casey Jones is federally licensed and operates super trains in excess of 150 cars weighing 12,000 tons, in a modern locomotive bristling with electronics - on-board computers, global positioning systems and telemetry systems. Traveling distances of 250 miles over the same hills of Tennessee is the norm today.

Today's Casey Jones, like yesterday's, still has to endure a grueling lifestyle that includes being on-call 24-hours a day, irregular sleep cycles, long layovers away from family and being the most federally regulated profession in America.

However, today's Casey Jones also gathers great pride and accomplishment from operating that 12,000 ton slinky at a specified speed through the undulating landscape, while always being alert to the position of his or her train and knowing what lies ahead.

The profession demands keen senses and experience, knowing that in today's world of hazardous materials and sprawling populations, a train derailment can have devastating consequences.

Editor's Note: Brother Hill joined BLE Division 565 in 1979. He has written several papers for recruitment of locomotive engineers including this one.

Back to Spring 2002 Journal

© 2002 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers