Nothing like pranking the new kid. I’ve seen it done with trainmen all the time and I knew where this was going right after you got tapped on the shoulder. Shame you got the blue goop all over both hands - but no doubt hilarious. Good one for the crew. Also good you took it in stride.
This isn’t a story of a prank, but an initiation. When I started out as a trainman, one of conductors had a little ritual reserved for newbies. Out in Elgin, there is one last stop past the storage yard about 3-4 miles west of town. After the trip was completed, we’d head back to the yard empty. It was maybe a 5-6 minute trip. Rick 😇 was the regular conductor and Bob 😇 the regular engineer. Both had long whiskers, otherwise known as lots of seniority. Rick would have the rookie trainmen sing to Bob over the intercom of the train on that equipment trip “down the hill”. Now, what I did after a few of these was to actually include Bob as part of the serenade. Something like “I’ve been working on the railroad, working with Bob all day”. He got a kick out of it. All the rookies on the job had to sing something to Bob down the hill.
Now, to take this a step further, after working out of a different end point for a while, I got called to work the job. Rick and Bob were still on it. I wasn’t a rookie anymore, but after we left downtown I asked Rick if Bob still got serenaded down the hill. He said not so much, but he’d be sure Bob would get a kick out of it. This trip had a long express portion to it and after collecting tickets and leaving the last station before the express, I penned a tune to the melody of Jim Croce’s “Bad bad Leroy Brown”. It included just about every little nuance Bob had while working. Bob did get a kick out of it and wanted a copy of it to show his wife. Of course I obliged. It did become a cult classic in the train room over time. When Bob 😇 passed, his daughter created a tribute Facebook page with people posting memories. I shared the tune and much to my surprise for many years she would repost it on Bob’s birthday or anniversary of his passing. Since I’m not on Facebook anymore, I’m not sure if she still posts or not. I’ve totally lost contact, but for many years it was always a “wow moment” when she would repost it.
So, yes it was an initiation, but I ended up making something out of it that affected many people.
I’ve thought about doing a story about Bob. He was a character, one of a kind. Gruff railroader, but in reality he was a puppy dog, had a heart of gold and was one hell of a guy.
You are right CK, sorry if you misunderstood my comment. I wasn’t laughing at you but with you…. I too was told that it was my job , to get the backwash. Only later did I figure out that backwash was not something that I could get my hands on. I started on the ramp for now defunct Eastern Airlines and seems like playing jokes on the new hires was a right of passage. Your story brought back memories.
I didn’t take it in a negative way, GeorgeAnn. No problem, hun.
I got them back though. At one time or another, each either patted me on the rear, grabbed my knee, or put their hands on my waist and each asked a version of, “So what did you do before joining us in the air?”
Nothing like pranking the new kid. I’ve seen it done with trainmen all the time and I knew where this was going right after you got tapped on the shoulder. Shame you got the blue goop all over both hands - but no doubt hilarious. Good one for the crew. Also good you took it in stride.
I would love to hear a ‘new kid’ train prank, Ken, if you would be so kind. I’m serious about the blue not coming off right away …
This isn’t a story of a prank, but an initiation. When I started out as a trainman, one of conductors had a little ritual reserved for newbies. Out in Elgin, there is one last stop past the storage yard about 3-4 miles west of town. After the trip was completed, we’d head back to the yard empty. It was maybe a 5-6 minute trip. Rick 😇 was the regular conductor and Bob 😇 the regular engineer. Both had long whiskers, otherwise known as lots of seniority. Rick would have the rookie trainmen sing to Bob over the intercom of the train on that equipment trip “down the hill”. Now, what I did after a few of these was to actually include Bob as part of the serenade. Something like “I’ve been working on the railroad, working with Bob all day”. He got a kick out of it. All the rookies on the job had to sing something to Bob down the hill.
Now, to take this a step further, after working out of a different end point for a while, I got called to work the job. Rick and Bob were still on it. I wasn’t a rookie anymore, but after we left downtown I asked Rick if Bob still got serenaded down the hill. He said not so much, but he’d be sure Bob would get a kick out of it. This trip had a long express portion to it and after collecting tickets and leaving the last station before the express, I penned a tune to the melody of Jim Croce’s “Bad bad Leroy Brown”. It included just about every little nuance Bob had while working. Bob did get a kick out of it and wanted a copy of it to show his wife. Of course I obliged. It did become a cult classic in the train room over time. When Bob 😇 passed, his daughter created a tribute Facebook page with people posting memories. I shared the tune and much to my surprise for many years she would repost it on Bob’s birthday or anniversary of his passing. Since I’m not on Facebook anymore, I’m not sure if she still posts or not. I’ve totally lost contact, but for many years it was always a “wow moment” when she would repost it.
So, yes it was an initiation, but I ended up making something out of it that affected many people.
I’ve thought about doing a story about Bob. He was a character, one of a kind. Gruff railroader, but in reality he was a puppy dog, had a heart of gold and was one hell of a guy.
What a great story, Ken!! You guys had a good time on those trains.
That’s a great story, Ken!! You boys had a good time, on those trains, didn’t you? That’s the way it should be.
When you had the right people to work with it was awesome
It sure sounded like a prank right from the start. 🤣🤣🤣
Except my job was threatened if I didn’t do it. 😮😮😮
Aw man - with age comes wisdom! 😂
We hope anyway. 😮😁😁😮
🤣
😮😮😁😁
Lmao . Thanks CJ i needed that badly . You got the TWA hazing lol. Hugs to you and family
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mitch. I’ll tell you this, I can enjoy it now all these years later, but back then it was embarrassing. 😮😮😮
I am sure it was . Yet when we are young what d we know , When doing a new job . hugs to you and family
I understand. When we were young, we didn’t know diddly squat.
Thanks, Mitch.
hugs and peace
Too much!
😮😮😮
As an former airline employee I have to say “Gheeze I can’t believe you fell for it.”
Btw, I can testify that the blue stuff takes a long time to come off. I was told to find the backwash….😂❤️
When they threatened me with losing my job, yeah, I went with it, GeorgeAnn. You would have, too, under that threat.
You are right CK, sorry if you misunderstood my comment. I wasn’t laughing at you but with you…. I too was told that it was my job , to get the backwash. Only later did I figure out that backwash was not something that I could get my hands on. I started on the ramp for now defunct Eastern Airlines and seems like playing jokes on the new hires was a right of passage. Your story brought back memories.
I didn’t take it in a negative way, GeorgeAnn. No problem, hun.
I got them back though. At one time or another, each either patted me on the rear, grabbed my knee, or put their hands on my waist and each asked a version of, “So what did you do before joining us in the air?”
I had several answers:
“I was a race car driver, Sir.”
“Mud wrestling, Sir.”
“I taught martial arts, Sir.”
“Sky Diving, Sir.”
“Circus Acrobat, Sir.”