Work Conditions
I have been working for a commuter railroad as a locomotive engineer for the past 14 years. During this current heat wave, the locomotives have very poor/non functioning A/C. It is essentially a giant steel box with a 3200 horsepower diesel engine running at full rpm to provide electricity for the coaches and pull the train at the same time; this obviously generates an enormous amount of heat that makes it way into the cab. Newer locomotives have central A/C and have a separate head end power generator. These are old F40PH's from the 1970's. My question for you guys is why is it some macho man thing if you don't complain about it? I personally am relatively young and in shape so I simply write them up on exception reports and go about my business. Other engineers, especially older and out of shape ones, will openly complain over the radio and others with call them cry baby and what not. Does it make you some tough guy if you put up with shit like that and don't complain? The F40PH has 2 RV A/C units on the roof that work somewhat okay in 80* weather but I typically just run with the windows open. When its near 100*, its gets hot enough in there so that you'll need gloves to touch the steel brake handles just for perpective.