Australian Rails Tour
Fort Worth / Dallas
By Cy Martin
This month we gave a Texas Welcome to several people from Australian's National Rail Corporation.
The first man was Robert Lawrence, a "Locomotive Driver" from Dimboola, in the State of Victoria. Next came John Landy and David Gunn. John is a Locomotive Driver from Melbourne, Victoria. David is a "Locomotive Driver Specialist" from Melbourne. He is the equivalent of an MOP.
National Rail Corporation Engine Driver Robert Lawrence poses with Mickey Cowling at the Hump.
Machinist Cynde Dickson guides Engine Drivers John Lande and David Gunn of Australia's National Rail Corporation around our Fort Worth Diesel Shop.
These fellows love railroads and got a cab ride from Grapevine to the Stockyards aboard Tarantula's famous 101-year old former SP 2248 steam engine. They also got a tour of the Tandy Subway Car barn. Next, they toured the Crest Tower, the "STO Fort Worth" Dispatch Center ,and spent some time in the Crest Crew Room talking with a few of our engineers and trainmen. They were shown around our Diesel Facility by Machinist Cynde Dickson.
These fellows really have some nice equipment to work with. They left some pictures of the inside of their cabs.
They Also left us with copies of some of their working agreements. They are similar to ours in the number of holidays, away-from-home facilities, meals away from home, holiday pay, bereavement pay, jury duty pay, etc.
I thought we were on a pretty even par with them until I read where they get four weeks vacation after working their first year, and three months paid sick leave. They also get six months paid maternity leave and a whole week of paid paternity leave.
We did our best to get these guys to stay and mark up since we're short of engineers, but all they'd do was mumble something like, "The U.S. is a nice place to visit...." It must have been after I told them that "our locomotives aren't 100% air conditioned."
National Rail uses two drivers (engineers). The operating engineer is on the left side. Automatic and Independent Air Brake are mounted on the window sill. Note Computer Screen and the FRED on the dash board.
(Right) Horn, bell, Reverser, Throttle and Dynamic brake are at right of first Driver's seat. Note Beverage kettle behind the FRED, next to Hot plate.
Second driver's position (above). Note computer screen, horn and bell at right, hot plate at left.
Typical away from home accommodations. Photos by David Gunn.
10-97