In the world of shortline railroading most everyone is cross trained as an engineer or/and conductor. On the Oregon Pacific each job has an engineer and "MOBILE TRAINMAN" who works the ground then jumps in a company pickup and drives ahead to meet with the customer, open gates and start an additional locomotive if that is required.

Very seldom are there two people in the cab. Have heard class I's refer to these as "utility men", however their purpose may be somewhat different than ours.

Upon the trains arrival at the industry, he may then become the engineer using that locomotive to switch the industry if the switch opens the wrong way and the "real engineer" takes his turn to work the ground. Working as a team, they make short work out of what could be a very time consuming workday.

Not that we're cheap...just efficient! LOL

Dick Samuels
www.oregonpacificrr.com