Tuesday, November 07, 2006

What's in RT's grip?

As I promised yesterday... A peek into Ranger Tom's grip. A "Grip" is a small bag or case that every railroader carries with them at work. It holds everything a conductor might need on the train. Click on the image to get the full-size photo.
From left to right...
1) Railroad operation and safety rule book
2) Work gloves
3) Extra batteries for my lantern
4) Insect repellent
5) Crossword puzzle
6) The grip itself
7) Railroad fusees (flares)
8) Extra pack of smokes
9) Ibuprofin & Naproxin
10) "Wheel Report" book (What I keep track of my train's cars with)
11) Pens
12) Railroad Conductor's Lantern
13) Reflective safety vest (Where I keep a spare switch key, knife, pen, and extra gaskets for glad hands)
Not seen is my lunch, munchies and a few bottles of Gatorade I bring along every night.
I hope this give you all a little more insight into my job!
Copyright 2006 Thomas J Wolfenden

13 comments:

Kev said...

I take it this was to prove to all those people who tell you to "get a grip" that you already have one ... and it's fully stocked.

mist1 said...

That's pretty much what's in my purse. Except you don't have any mascara.

Cheryl said...

Dang. Sounds like your job requires heavy (to me) lifting...

tsduff said...

I've got gatorade today at work. Love the stuff.

Interesting to peek into the mysterious inner grip of an engineer....

honkeie said...

What no porn???

FHB said...

Man, cool possibles bag. A few grenades would round that package out nicely. Toss one out the window when the opportunity arises. Think of the possibilities.

Lisa said...

You need more cowbell.

(Ok that was really stupid. But its 12:30 a.m. and I'm really tired.)

Unknown said...

An engineer's grip, like mine contains very few thing related to job and lots of things related to entertainment. Palm pilot, Mp3 player, PSP. I guess I do have the emergency response guidebook. And a spare reversor.

Jason said...

Seriously you carry four extra batteries, and your own fusees? What a tool

Unknown said...

I have my dad's grip from the New York Central. He was a conductor.

Thomas J Wolfenden said...

Jason: Yes, my own fusees and four extra batteries. If you really knew how fucked up my railroad is in supplying this shit to us you'd realize it's a nessesity. I need to grab as many of them as I can, when I can because noone knows when the fuck we'll get more. So if that makes me a tool, I'm a tool.

Unknown said...

I just want to post a comment FRA Rule requires at least 6 Fuses per engine if your railroad does not provide them they are in violation, one battery last a week or 2, you are carrying too much stuff,

Thomas J Wolfenden said...

James: The railroad I work at is not governed by FRA rules. We're considered a short-line industrial railroad and fall under OSHA.

So considering that, I'm carrying just enough stuff to get me by until the next supply delivery.