Derailments are very common. Even at very slow speeds. One of the most dangerous jobs I have ever witnessed were the crews that would be called in to get those cars back on the tracks.
I’m a little crazy, but those guys are nuts.

He claimed that they had so many derailments in the yards because the track was not properly maintained. The tracks out on the main routes are maintained. They have to be. They answer to the Federal Railroad Administration.

My dad did not like being a yardmaster. When a less stressful job opened, he took it. He had the seniority.

Worked lots of hours and I wanted to retire with a little more cash. Most of those that worked in that yard doing what I did got a disability retirement. I didn’t want to do that so I didn’t apply for one. I loaded cars and trucks and was not employed by the railroad. That was over 20 years ago and I’m sure it’s different now.