TruckingTruth's Only Railroader

Topic 34504 | Page 1

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Ditch Lights's Comment
member avatar

Evening everyone, I know I posted a few weeks ago about getting back into trucking, but I've reevaluated what I want and have decided to accept a position back working on the railroad. I worked for a Class 1 previously before I went into driving, so I know what to expect with the position. I do plan to keep my CDL with all endorsements and I am glad that I got the experience of driving OTR but I think going back to the railroad is ideal for me.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Onsdag's Comment
member avatar

Evening everyone, I know I posted a few weeks ago about getting back into trucking, but I've reevaluated what I want and have decided to accept a position back working on the railroad. I worked for a Class 1 previously before I went into driving, so I know what to expect with the position. I do plan to keep my CDL with all endorsements and I am glad that I got the experience of driving OTR but I think going back to the railroad is ideal for me.

Funny that you mention that... because ever since I got hired on with Roehl (pronounced Rail) I've considered myself and fellow Roehl drivers as "Roehl roaders" (railroaders). 😂

Best wishes to you in your new/old career!

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

Best of luck to ya Ditch Lights!

I am glad that I got the experience of driving OTR but I think going back to the railroad is ideal for me.

I've always said there's no risk in taking a shot at trucking because you'll learn a ton, make great memories, and you can walk away anytime. So why not?

Now you have your CDL and you can always go back to trucking if things change. So you have a backup career. That's a great thing!

Again, all the best to ya!

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Big Scott's Comment
member avatar

Best of luck to you. I fuel and service freight train engines. What will you be doing with the railroad?

Ditch Lights's Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

Evening everyone, I know I posted a few weeks ago about getting back into trucking, but I've reevaluated what I want and have decided to accept a position back working on the railroad. I worked for a Class 1 previously before I went into driving, so I know what to expect with the position. I do plan to keep my CDL with all endorsements and I am glad that I got the experience of driving OTR but I think going back to the railroad is ideal for me.

double-quotes-end.png

Funny that you mention that... because ever since I got hired on with Roehl (pronounced Rail) I've considered myself and fellow Roehl drivers as "Roehl roaders" (railroaders). 😂

Best wishes to you in your new/old career!

I've never quoted a reply so I hope it turns out correctly, but when I first started driving, I in fact drove for Roehl, I remember a lady at a shipper thinking I was picking up a container because I said "Picking up for Roehl"... I was even wearing one of the company shirts that said "Roehl" on the chest lol. Their name definitely was a confusing one for many but they were a good company with good equipment. Their Gary, IN and Marshfield terminals were way better than Conley, GA was...

Thanks for the well wishes, I'm looking forward to it!

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Shipper:

The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Ditch Lights's Comment
member avatar

Best of luck to ya Ditch Lights!

double-quotes-start.png

I am glad that I got the experience of driving OTR but I think going back to the railroad is ideal for me.

double-quotes-end.png

I've always said there's no risk in taking a shot at trucking because you'll learn a ton, make great memories, and you can walk away anytime. So why not?

Now you have your CDL and you can always go back to trucking if things change. So you have a backup career. That's a great thing!

Again, all the best to ya!

Hey Brett!, I've been a long time lurker on the forum and have always found the members very knowledgeable, I'm definitely glad I got my CDL and did give it a shot, I love sightseeing and that was probably the biggest draw for me but the position from the RR is kind of too good to pass up.

I'm going to still check and read the posts here, so I'll do my best to not be a stranger. I appreciate the well wishes and Happy Holidays to everyone here!

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Ditch Lights's Comment
member avatar

Best of luck to you. I fuel and service freight train engines. What will you be doing with the railroad?

Do you only fuel for a certain company or how does your job work, i know this is a trucking forum but that might be interesting to read about since it is still a "driving" job.

I'm going to be a signal maintainer.

Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar
I'm definitely glad I got my CDL and did give it a shot, I love sightseeing and that was probably the biggest draw for me but the position from the RR is kind of too good to pass up.

Hey, I love to hear that. Finding the right career is a life-long quest, and that career choice may change over time.

I drove for 15 years, and during that time, trucking was exactly where I wanted to be. After a while, I realized I had experienced about everything that life on the road had to offer, and it was time to go in a new direction, seeking new experiences.

Trucking will always be there if you ever decide to return, but right now you know from experience that the railroad is where you belong, and I'll bet that's a great feeling. I think most people wonder if they're on the right path in life, but many are afraid of giving up their position to try something new.

I'm glad you gave trucking a shot and I'm sure you're gonna be very happy with the railroad.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Big Scott's Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

Best of luck to you. I fuel and service freight train engines. What will you be doing with the railroad?

Do you only fuel for a certain company or how does your job work, i know this is a trucking forum but that might be interesting to read about since it is still a "driving" job.

I'm going to be a signal maintainer.

double-quotes-end.png

That's great.

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