I Love Railroading and I have always wanted to Work on a Locomotive, but of course I been told Girls Can’t do this because its a MAN’S JOB! And I believed that!
But when I first started working at the Railroad 5 years ago, I told them I’m willing to help the railroad anyway I can, so in February, The Station Manager Called Me telling that they will be working on the 7014: The Coopersville and Marne Railway’s 150 Ton Diesel Locomotive and asked if I would love to help. AND I SAID YES!
I got to help Repair our Locomotive by taking off 12 sets of Rocker Arms, Fuel Injectors, and Exhaust Manifolds. I WAS THE ONLY GIRL working with the men. A couple of times when I was working a heard one or two of them in the background say “She shouldn’t be working here, this is a man’s job!” But The Cool Thing was that The Mechanical Department Manager talked me through it and helped me learn more about the 7014. HE IS THE COOLEST TEACHER I COULD EVER HAVE THERE. When we finished repairing the 7014, the guys said that I did such a good job, that I can work with them, whenever they were going to work on our Railroad Equipment! HOW COOL IS THAT!! In other Words GIRLS CAN WORK ON LOCOMOTIVES!
2 comments
Karen
That is so awesome. We live in Grandville (just south east of you) and I am going to tell my husband and daughter your story! (They are both train nuts.)
gretchen
AJ – that is so cool! I know someone who works on locomotives and that is some seriously tough physical work. Big props to you for taking that on and doing what you love. :)