Joe Tall
11-16-2003, 03:38 AM
First, a little about me:
I work for Guilford Rail System (http://www.guilfordrail.com) which is the old Boston and Maine Railroad (http://www.trainweb.org/bmrrhs/history.html) and the Maine Central Railroad (http://home.sprynet.com/~jwhite07/mec/mec.htm) under one name. We have a parent company Gilford Transportation Industies (http://www.hoovers.com/guilford-transportation/--ID__57540--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml) It's a frieght railroad, however, we do have passenger trains that run on our system.
I'm in management out of the corporate office in Billerica, Mass. I am the Design/Construction Engineer as I have my degree in Civil Engineering. It is a upper-middle managment postition as I have busted my butt over the 3 years I've been there.
I like railroad engineering. I like the history behind my 150+ year old company. I really like the people that I directly work with in upper and lower management.
It is very unique and dynamic, in addition, it pays well. However, I hate the parent company that owns my railroad. We are privately owned, so I should say, I hate the owners. Well, I don't hate them, but I disagree with the management ideals they carry.
Anywho...I've been playing enough poker that the last six months to make 1/2 my salary by playing online at night and at Foxwoods on the weekends. I figure if I didn't work 6.30AM to 5PM everyday (sometimes more) I could support myself playing poker.
Then, Friday, I'm invited by the VP to go on a trip throughout our system on the Guilford Rail 'Business Car'. I take the offer and I'm escorted w/8 of my co-workers to Waterville, Maine. 25 Engineering managers go out for dinner and hop on the train Saturday morning. I had a real good time.
The 'business car' was built in 1916 and is like stepping into a time-warp. It has cherry-wood walls and antique furniture; straight out of the 20s as our country roared to a pinnacle, including a mahongany meeting/dinner table.
We started our trip from Waterville to North Adams, Mass; ending in the Hoosac Tunnel (http://www.intac.com/~jsumberg/hoosac.htm) which was the 'Big Dig' of 1800s.
Great food, great trip, great time. Yet, I still 'work'.
Then, after lunch, I walk into the 'board room' section of the car to fine 5 of the top managers and executives playing poker.
I sit down.
I Love my jobs. /images/graemlins/grin.gif
Peace,
Joe Tall
I work for Guilford Rail System (http://www.guilfordrail.com) which is the old Boston and Maine Railroad (http://www.trainweb.org/bmrrhs/history.html) and the Maine Central Railroad (http://home.sprynet.com/~jwhite07/mec/mec.htm) under one name. We have a parent company Gilford Transportation Industies (http://www.hoovers.com/guilford-transportation/--ID__57540--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml) It's a frieght railroad, however, we do have passenger trains that run on our system.
I'm in management out of the corporate office in Billerica, Mass. I am the Design/Construction Engineer as I have my degree in Civil Engineering. It is a upper-middle managment postition as I have busted my butt over the 3 years I've been there.
I like railroad engineering. I like the history behind my 150+ year old company. I really like the people that I directly work with in upper and lower management.
It is very unique and dynamic, in addition, it pays well. However, I hate the parent company that owns my railroad. We are privately owned, so I should say, I hate the owners. Well, I don't hate them, but I disagree with the management ideals they carry.
Anywho...I've been playing enough poker that the last six months to make 1/2 my salary by playing online at night and at Foxwoods on the weekends. I figure if I didn't work 6.30AM to 5PM everyday (sometimes more) I could support myself playing poker.
Then, Friday, I'm invited by the VP to go on a trip throughout our system on the Guilford Rail 'Business Car'. I take the offer and I'm escorted w/8 of my co-workers to Waterville, Maine. 25 Engineering managers go out for dinner and hop on the train Saturday morning. I had a real good time.
The 'business car' was built in 1916 and is like stepping into a time-warp. It has cherry-wood walls and antique furniture; straight out of the 20s as our country roared to a pinnacle, including a mahongany meeting/dinner table.
We started our trip from Waterville to North Adams, Mass; ending in the Hoosac Tunnel (http://www.intac.com/~jsumberg/hoosac.htm) which was the 'Big Dig' of 1800s.
Great food, great trip, great time. Yet, I still 'work'.
Then, after lunch, I walk into the 'board room' section of the car to fine 5 of the top managers and executives playing poker.
I sit down.
I Love my jobs. /images/graemlins/grin.gif
Peace,
Joe Tall