Enter the civil twilight to a world of spikes, heavy metal, electronics, life or death communications, long hours, and a rich history that built the United States. This industry is not for everyone-it is unique in a class by itself. How does such an industry operate? Experience is golden since there is absolutely no short cut to master a working freight railroad without it. It is a mental cost effective analysis per eight hours per territory under levels of collective bargaining and union agreements. Each railroad is managed by its own System Special Instructions, Timetables, Hazardous Materials Instructions, General Order and either the General Code Operating Rules or Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee.
Employees are diverse, managers are diverse, corporate officers are diverse in this safety driven complex game of moving consist from territory to territory and railroad to railroad until the final destination and delivery. How does anyone manage such an industry and environment? Rules and safety. One of the best managers of train crews once said, “never burn the good ones.” In this industry, he is right.
What is your management motto for your industry and how do you manage wide diversity to operate as one?
