Originally Posted By dresswhites hey on another discussion topic it talks about the sweeper train. This got me thinking about the experince of working on the Disneyland Railroad. We obviously have a few experts on here. So is the Railroad a fun attraction to work? What is a day in life working the RR like? What are challenges of working the DLRR? Is there a breakroom? just thought this would be an interesting topic!!
Originally Posted By retlawfan The breakroom for the engineers and firemen is at New Orleans Square Station. The conductors use a break area behind the Main Street buildings (I think). I think the rest of the time, they feel that they're just going around in circles... Anyone really know?
Originally Posted By smd4 While I have never actually “worked” a shift on the Disneyland Railroad, I believe my association with the railroad and several of its crew members, and my time spent with them in various areas of the attraction, has given me a little perspective on what it’s like to work on the railroad. I hope the folks who actually work the railroad won’t mind a little “outside perspective,” and I look forward to hearing their stories. First, there are several positions that make up “working for the railroad.” For instance, there are conductors, engine crews, and “Operating Engineers” who are primarily responsible for the locomotive and rolling stock maintenance. Perhaps the thing to remember most is that there are many personalities involved, and when it comes down to it, working on the Disneyland Railroad is just like working any job. There are those who absolutely love what they do; there are some who do it only for a paycheck. There are Disney lovers; there are folks who don’t care about Disney at all. Some like trains; some have little interest in them. As with any job, there are politics, cliques, hierarchies, romances and gossip. The Conductors are the ones who have the most interaction with the guests, which—depending on your personality—can be a good thing or a bad thing. They rotate between riding the trains, and manning the stations. They follow actual railroad practice in that they are in charge of the train, and control when it can move and when it should stop. When they say “All aboard,” they aren’t doing it for effect—the call tells the engineer he can safely begin moving the train. They can ring an emergency bell in the locomotive cab if they need the train to make a stop. Dealing with guests may be one of their biggest challenges. I have talked with one conductor who has seen a careless parent drop his child from a moving train, and has had to bring the train to a screeching halt because a parent has allowed their child onto the station platform to get a better look at the approaching train. Probably the most uncomfortable aspect of the position is that when the Conductors are on the trains, they can be exposed to inclement weather, including downpours and freezing temperatures. They are very exposed to the elements from their standing “safety positions.” The engine crews certainly have it better most of the time, at least being in an enclosed cab. These positions require months of training, and are definitely not your typical “ride operator” jobs. Boilers of any kind—including locomotive boilers—can be very dangerous if not managed properly. I don’t wish to cause any unnecessary fear, but if the fireman mis-manages the boiler, a boiler explosion could occur, and depending on the magnitude, the engine crew and possibly others in the passenger cars or surrounding areas would likely be killed. Something like this could have a far-reaching impact, and in theory could result in the shuttering or closing of steam-operated amusement park attractions and trains across the country. There have been close calls. While there are safety precautions in place, the crew must be constantly vigilant, and so the training is far more vigorous. While most of the crews enjoy running the trains, the jobs aren’t without their share of challenges. The cabs of engines 1 and 2 are very cramped, and the engineer and fireman are in very close proximity to each other. Sharing a cab for a shift with someone you don’t like or get along with can be difficult. Also, the cabs can get up to 140 degrees farenheight during the summer. Wearing a full costume of bib overalls, long sleeve shirt, hat and bandana can make the job sauna-like. The job can be dangerous, even with a well-trained crew. One time on the Fred Gurley, a fireman didn’t realize his fire had gone out, allowing fuel to gather in the firebox. When it re-lit, the engineer was blown out of the cab, and the fireman needed to be hospitalized. The Operating Engineers, or OEs, are charged with the maintenance of the trains. Some of the trains date to 1894, with the newest equipment being over 40 years old. Constant maintenance is the key to their longevity. The guys who work in the roundhouse usually have machinist or boiler operator backgrounds. Their jobs can be dirty and challenging. Obviously, steam locomotives aren’t common today, and the knowledge to maintain them gets more and more difficult to find as time goes on. While much of their work depends on common sense and mechanical aptitude, sometimes they must turn to 100 year old locomotive textbooks in order to understand the repairs being made (such as timing the valves, etc). The Operating Engineers are also responsible for firing up the trains in the morning, testing all their safety devices, and making sure the engines are equipped with fuel, water, and the necessary chemicals that must be added to the tender water through the day by the regular engine crews. Anyone lucky enough to watch the engines come alive in the early morning has seen something special indeed. After the trains head out for the day, it’s usually pretty quiet in the roundhouse. Almost laid back. There are the day-to-day things that happen just as they do at any shop-type facility: The lubrication and oil salesman comes by to re-stock; the lead completes paperwork; if it’s slow, the guys may surf the web. Anyway, this is just a brief look at some of what it takes to work the Disneyland Railroad, from an outsider’s perspective. Most of the men and women who run the trains daily understand they are the keepers of the flame of Walt Disney’s passion for railroading, and many consider what they do to be an honor, even with all the hassles and politics. We should all be grateful to them for the work they do in keeping Walt’s dream alive.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes Thr SOP's for working the railroad are out there on the net. They make for an interesting read.
Originally Posted By smd4 Yes, Schmitty, the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure manuals) can be enlightening. Most are geared to the largest group of DRR employees--the Conductors. Early ones demonstrate railroad hand signls they can use to communicate with the engine crew, among other things. There is a short section for the engine crew. The earliest SOP I have found dates to the mid-1960s, and is maybe 20 or 30 pages long, GBC-bound. Like all SOPs, it includes a section titled, "The Story Behind the Story," which gives an overview of the attraction and how it fits in to Disneyland. In the 1980s, there was the "Mother" of all SOPs, a massive ~200 page tome with drawings, diagrams, loads of text, and checklists for nearly everything assocaited with the Railroad. This SOP was also directed at Conductors. In the 1990s, the SOP was reduced to a few Xeroxed pages, stapled in the upper left corner. They are very bare-bones.
Originally Posted By cheezman20 That is absolutely fascinating. I've been researching trains for a book I'm writing and their history is awesome. I'm working in a Walt cameo lol.
Originally Posted By Bellella I never get tired of a relaxing ride on the train. The tunnel between Tomorrowland and Main Street- WOW!!!
Originally Posted By dl1956 Any info on what unions are involved among the various job categories, for example the engine crews as opposed to the roundhouse or OEs?
Originally Posted By smd4 OE's belong to Operating Engineers Local 501, Los Angeles. I believe the engine crews at one time needed to be members of this union as well, but a shakeup several years ago split the engine crews off. I don't know whether they now belong to a different union or not.
Originally Posted By dl1956 I assume that if the DLRR is considered a "ride" and not "transportation" that it wouldn't necessarily be a railroad-related union?
Originally Posted By Hannibal 8 Check out this link: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2rSXf5EeFo&feature=channel_page" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...nel_page</a> My daughter interviewed a couple of the train engineers while riding up in the cab. I have always been impressed with their knowledge of the trains and professionalism. At the end of the interview one of the guys put it best when he said, "Welcome to our office!" It definitely beats sitting in a cubicle all day.
Originally Posted By Disneydanny I LOVE ridiing on the tender (Engines 1 & 2 are the only ones that have those seats) it's a nice diviation from sitting in the passenger cars and having to hear the narration.
Originally Posted By smd4 >>>I assume that if the DLRR is considered a "ride" and not "transportation" that it wouldn't necessarily be a railroad-related union?<<< The Federal Railway Administration considers the DRR to be a "Permanent Amusement Ride," and therefore it does not fall under any state or federal railroad governing agencies. Things like the boiles, however, must meet state and/or local codes. So, there is no need to hire railroad union people. And if Disneyland wasn't a union shop, they could hire anyone they wanted.
Originally Posted By smd4 Just to correct Post No. 11, the engine crews (also belong to the OE union, but their title is "Locomotive Firer" (regardless of whether they are engineers or firemen), not "Operating Engineer."
Originally Posted By Hound Sorry for the double post. I only hit the button once. The computer must be having the 'middle of the week blues'.
