NJT Positions

Can anyone tell me all the positions (preferably rail) that a NJT worker can hold? Also, what are their usual work lengths, etc.?

On another note: the conductor who is usually on the 4:40p express to Trenton from NY was now on the 4:17p yesterday. I noticed the same voice and accent and reminded myself I took an earlier train. So, how did this happen?

There are well over a hundred different crafts on NJT. These range from bus cleaner thru building maintanence (janitor), to pipe fitters, car inspectors, electricians, cop, ticket agent, engineer, conductor, bus driver, painter, carpenter, tire repairer, machinist, clerk, secretary, statistician, quality control specialist, risk management, employee benefits specialist, courier, signal maintainer, track laborer, and on and on.

The conductor could have been on that job for any one of several reasons, the least of which would be bidding the job, the regular conductor was absent, sick or injured, etc.

So do NJT workers (esp. engineers) work 8 hour days as well?

It depends on the job assignment they hold. Some of them regularly work more than 8 hours, and maybe even with a big break in the middle. The railroad is a 24-hour operation, and to accomodate the schedules, a variety of job assignments are defined. Needless to say, engineers with higher seniority bid for - and take - the better jobs.

Determining jobs for crews so that EACH train in the schedule has an engineer and the appropriate number of train(wo)men on board is a fascinating thing. Pure combinatorial mathematics, to be sure!

Also, can engineers choose to be on extra list for the NWK and HOB divisions or is that chosen for you?

Yes, engineers can choose to be on the extra list. And usually, the guys with the lowest seniority, will get the worst percived job.

Also, what is the typical routine day of an engineer? When I had Q&A's with Bob Scheurle years ago, beginner engineers would get calls around 3 am telling them their position, and it virtually doesn't matter where you live. Is this true?

You get called 4 hours prior to the sign-up time, no matter where you live.

Just out of curiousity, and apologies if this has been asked before, which train lines and times are considered the "plum" conductor and engineer jobs that you need lots of seniority to get. And which are the lines and times that the rookies get stuck with?

I bet the plum position is the guy who was hired as George Warrington's driver--you just know he would never be caught dead riding the train.

You get called 4 hours prior to the sign-up time, no matter where you live.

The four-hour window is for conductors. Engineers get 3 hours only (go figure). That does not mean that you can't get called half an hour before assignment, if they know you live that close and they need you badly. But, if you get less than 3 hours warning, you can turn the assignment down. I am over-simplifying the process, but that's the general idea.

And no, generally, it does NOT matter where you live. So, for Hoboken division people, it helps to live in Northern NJ, and for Newark Division, in Central NJ.

In general, the railroader's job ain't easy -- NJT or any other railroad. The way it was explained to me when I applied is this: You are married to the railroad.

JLo wrote:I bet the plum position is the guy who was hired as George Warrington's driver--you just know he would never be caught dead riding the train.

Actually, Mr. Warrington rides 6612 every morning. Which explains the cleanliness of 6612's equipment.

Which train is 6612?

NJneer wrote:

You get called 4 hours prior to the sign-up time, no matter where you live.

The four-hour window is for conductors. Engineers get 3 hours only (go figure). That does not mean that you can't get called half an hour before assignment, if they know you live that close and they need you badly. But, if you get less than 3 hours warning, you can turn the assignment down. I am over-simplifying the process, but that's the general idea.

And no, generally, it does NOT matter where you live. So, for Hoboken division people, it helps to live in Northern NJ, and for Newark Division, in Central NJ.

In general, the railroader's job ain't easy -- NJT or any other railroad. The way it was explained to me when I applied is this: You are married to the railroad.

there's a pair of letters to the editor of the wall street journal on this subject this morning. An article in the paper a week ago discussed Union Pacific's "antiquated and inflexible" people management processes. Several writers wrote to confirm and support that principle. Don't expect days off, or to see your kid's ball games, or to make plans for the weekends or get-aways for the next decade or so.

F40 wrote:Which train is 6612?

6612 departs Dover at 6:18 AM and makes mostly local stops and arrives at NYPenn at 7:40. I would have thought they'd have a special express for him. The "George Warrington Express."

Where does he ride to anyway?