A.J. Repairs Locomotives
Submitted By: A.J. | Age: 20
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!
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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.
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.)