Train Conductor Hang Test EXPLAINED 2022
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- The hang test you need to pass to become a train conductor can come off as intimidating but with these tips you will pass the hang test in no time and be on your way to becoming a train conductor or freight conductor. Norfolk Southerns hang test consisted of hanging from a rail car for 45 seconds on each arm while performing your hand signals with your lantern. You will never do this out in the real world on a daily basis so don't let this scare you.
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Grip Strength is most important 9 bucks and you can start preparing - amzn.to/3ztFoHQ
Just ordered one because it is on sale for Black Friday, thank you for giving us the knowledge to succeed. I have a 10lb weight I will start using.
@@gregoryking7607 my pleasure buddy. I am
Always here to help. Reach out anytime!
@@Railroad_Talk will do, any suggestions on required signals I can start practicing for this sir.
I got hired on Norfolk Southern about 3 months ago, failed the 1st attempt by 5 seconds. I lost my confidence going and to my 2nd attempt due to the soreness I was feeling in my arms. But somehow, I was able to do it the 2nd try. After that, it was basically a cake walk from there. Now I'm here working out of Charlotte making the dream
How long was your hang?
@@MrEricturney 1m 15s per arm. They let me go in December. I'm gonna be heading out to Atlanta next month to go work with CSX. Hang test with CSX is 2m per arm.
@@matthewsatterlee3395 Thank you and good luck with CSX
@@matthewsatterlee3395if you don’t mind me asking, we’re you furloughed?
I’m old and too out of shape to ever be a conductor. I’ve had some friends and family who have worked as conductors for Union Pacific. But, due to feet pain issues, I couldn’t work at a warehouse I had spent some time at. So, now, I’m a van driver hauling train crews around. And, I love it. But, between family and friends, and working around the yards helping do assist and driving crews around. I’ve gained even more respect for what you guys do. I grew up on a farm and could never do all that you guys do.
My instructor at union Pacific told our biggest guy to pretend the boxcar was a giant twinkie and he passed the test 👍
that's one helluva twinkie
That instructor was being an asshole . it that guy had said something like that to the instructor he would have called it conduct unbecoming a employee or insubordination . Best lessons you can learn is learn how far they can go and how far you can go . You don't have to be treated like an animal by them no matter what they say. Don't curse them unless they curse you first . Then its game on . Be ready and expect to be pushed beyond your endurance if your not ready for that its like!y best try to find a job somewhere else . They are not fair.
😂 That's awesome!
I'm a big guy thinking about becoming a conductor after being a truck driver for 23 years. I'd laugh my tail off if he told me that!!! 🤣👍
@@rc391995whoa buddy don't be too sensitive lol can't take a joke?😂😂😂
About to mark up in a week and a half. Glad to see you’re still doing what you’re doing
Big tip. Use the gloves they give you, they help a lot vs the ones y’all bring when it comes to grip. I’m 1 month in as a ct on ojt & Joey is right it’s only 1 time. After that you gonna make your self comfortable to ride the car expecially when your doing long movements like today I did a 50 car shove 3 times.
They give you gloves must be nice .
Hey joey. Always grab the highest iron you can. Its about the geometry of your body weight. Best thing u can do. Did this 1 month ago. It's a minute and 15 seconds each arm right now. 1 minute holding lantern straight out. Then 10 second doing g proceed then 5 second doing stop. Still super easy.
hang test be overhyped sometimes. i just wrapped up week 2 of NS conductor training, it wasnt bad at all. The instructors were smart enough to talk to us throughout the whole excercise, making small talk so we wouldnt focus so much on the hanging.
how long was the hang?
When I hired out on the Alaska Railroad ten years ago the hang test was 10 minutes. We didn't have to do any hand signals and could use one or both arms, so long as we maintained three points of contact. Right after that we did the knuckle test, carrying a coupler knuckle 50 feet. My arms never burned so much in my life.
Thank you for the video! I want to confirm the test is 45 seconds per arm. Some other said 2 minutes per arm but haven’t seen anything else that cooberates that.
Corroborate.😊
I've been a weightlifter most my life. And honestly shoulder and upper back endurance can help. But it means nothing if you don't have relatively strong grip and wrist strength. Working your grip strength would be number 1. Like timed holds with like 2 buckets filled with water or something. Just stand there and hold them. Or walk for some distance u have determined to be ur goal. Then do ur lateral raises and other shoulder stuff for a sure win. Also o totally agree. Dont go heavy with ur lateral raise. Train light for endurance and control. Go the distance and its going to burn just fine and u well notice a difference in performance in no time
great point, forearm and whatever those things are you squeeze would be really good to do as well. Great input man thank you!
Hardest for me at work is when I wrap my arm around the grab iron, it cuts my blood flow off lol. I usually have my arm resting on top of the bar and holding on with both hands. As long as there's 3 points of contact, no one will tell you you're doing it wrong.
It's a forearms grip test... no shoulders at all. Work on your forearm flexors/extensors. You want to hang as high as you can like he said, but, also be as vertical as possible to put the weight on your feet, not your 1 hand, so pull your hips close to the bars. If your hip is out, it will be twice as hard, all the weight going to your hand to keep you from pulling off the bar. To increase grip strength, hang from a pull-up bar, use one, and do a hang test in your home with your feet on the floor if you have a door chin up bar. Simulate the same exercise. Hand with one hand for 1:15, then switch hands and di the other. Then try 1:30 each hand next time, then 2:45, then 2:00 each hand. If you can do that, you have the grip strength to pass the test. They'll do 1:15 per hand. You can use grippers or wrist curls with a dumbbell as well to increase grip strength.
Just finished taking my physical for NS on Monday, the 21rst, I am nervous because I've only worked as a Machinist and Diesel Mechanic. Hired for Conductor out of Linwood yard so I am trying to find as much information as possible before I am scheduled to go to training to be successful. I have a family that I want to be okay and I've already talked to them about what will go on once I start. They are fine with it because they know I'm doing this to make sure they are okay. Now it's Just to get through it. Hopefully since it is so close I will get to spend this Christmas with them.
I waiting start date from
Norfolk souther . Just a question , i Have not done my medicL
Or my drug test yet , just worried ‘ any heads up bro
You should've just stayed there 😂
Great video keep up the good work
In my opinion based on my own experience, forearm strength and stamina is way more important than shoulder strength. If you can manage to strengthen them a little prior to going Conductor training you’ll be ahead of the game. Make sure your entire arm especially your forearms are completely rested prior to the test. Good luck and hang on for dear life. Your career depends on this!!
The hang test for KCS is 4 minutes. In that 4 minutes you will give hand signals in both directions
Never heard of such a thing but I guess now days it's a way to 'Weed Out' anyone 'Out of Shape'.
I've been hanging on the side of railcars and locomotives for 37 years and have thought nothing
of it because it was the only way you could get transportation around a yard. There was always
a track in that yard going either direction you just climbed thru the other railcars in the other tracks
and ran along side then grab the high grab iron, leading foot first in the stirup. That was before the
invention of 'Intermodal railcars' which rarely need to be switched and are now inspected, repaired, and
maintained 'in track' under 'Blue Flag Protection'.
Now that I've retired I think my arms are probably 3 inches longer. They also have 'Crew Vans' now.
Consequently with all these conveniences I'm sure we'll see much BIGGER Bellys.
But something that will never change is the main track train crews crying that they
should have got a 'Hot Shot' train, and "We're getting Screwed!"
LOL very true, I herd that often during my time with NS. I never did care, it was not when we got the hot shot trains but I prepared myself mentally to be out there for 12-15 hours lol
I worry about what conditions may be like in the winter time. Riding on the outside of a car when the temps are -30. Switching tracks buried in snow. Can you offer any insight to winter conditions?
For csx it’s a 4 minute hang test
i never heard of a hang test until very recently... what concerns me is WHY did they start doing this... i hired on in 93 and didn't do it, the older guys before me and WAY WAY before me didn't do it either... i believe the company wants to get rid of the few cabooses that are left... this is not new territory either... the 1982 agreement called for the elimination of a specific percentage of cabooses in through freight service (today no cabooses are in through freight service)... the 85 agreement said the carriers will not, "... cover windows or permanently close doors of cabooses utilized by employees..." (how many cabooses TODAY have windows plated over and doors welded shut??????... looks like we lost that battle to)... how many cabooses are even left as of today???... how many guys out there hanging on a car for a few miles long shove just to serve one lone customer... i think they are having these hang tests to get the new guys acclimated to NOT having a caboose at all... BNSF and NS have "hang on" claims woven nto their agreement for guys who are forced to make a shove without a caboose... don't be surprised to see that hang on claim rolled into the days pay for those jobs in exchange for the total elimination of the caboose... i hope it doesn't happen but the writing has been on the wall for years
For my test it was hang on for 5mns both hands on the ladder then you are done.
I think the NS hang test was 90 seconds each arm. At least back in 2016 it was. We had one guy actually failed the test and the retest the next morning.
How is the color blind test? Can you wear correct glasses?
So I’m getting ready to take the first video interview for CSX here in Indiana. My question is is the pay good? Is there overtime that you can get? Is the job hard? It’s a big decision for me since I’ve been at amazon for three years
I work for csx the ladder hang test is 4 minutes long.. I’m telling you this, they will call you 10 for 12 that mean they only give 10 hours of rest after every shift report on duty in 2 hours, While working over the road. yard jobs are different you have a set schedule. but most of them Jobs are filled because it’s goes off seniority so you will be on the extra board on call only one day off a week you might not get called in for 2days but you still get paid because of guarantee. while in school 991 a week on the training 1200 a week biweekly pay
So you get paid every two weeks?. Do you always work 40at least with the ability for overtime? How is the colorblind test? Can people wear correct lenses if they need to for that?. Can you get raises? Sorry for all the questions lol
I’m in indiana and leave for the training tomorrow down in Atlanta
Am in Syracuse n am leaving for training tomorrow in Atlanta
@@bradsmith1632 do you have to drive yourself down there?
I remember doing it for CSX at the redi we had 2 guys fail 1st guy failed bc he showed up in tennis shoe boots not railroad boots funny bc instructor made him do the whole 4 mins. 2 guy did like 3m50s then let go rip lol.
Worse car to ride is them center beam wood/sheetrock cars more so if you have bigger arms that won't go in the bar like damn worse car to ride hands down change my mind.
Are they telling you all you can't switch hands in that 4 min span ?
What’s the break down on the hang test? 2 mins with both hands and 1 min each hand?
As an old school retired railroader - I hired out as a brakeman/yard switchman OJT in the good ol days - worked mostly locals and as a yard switchman if I got bumped - the NS training school bs is so unnecessary - I had many student brakemen that worked along side with us - they turned out just fine - back in my day you worked as a brakeman and were promoted to conductor when you were ready, not thrown into it like they do these days - glad to be out of there, used to actually enjoy what I was doing until the latter yrs - it's no longer railroading - just moving freight down the main line - the art of it is gone unfortunately 🚴♂️
I was very fortunate to work with a lot of pre 85 guys and man they taught me a lot. I think they have all retired now besides maybe one or two. More than likely working the pull back or some kinda extra yard job.
When I did my hang test they made us hang each arm for a minute and a half and then 2 minutes both arms, I guess it depends on the instructor
I’m sure things have changed over the years with their testing. I’ll make an updated video soon.
45 seconds? What happens if you have a long shove?
It’s just a test, in the real world you make yourself comfortable.. you don’t hang ogf the side of a railcar
Is the 4 minute csx ladder hang hard? And for anyone who’s been hired at csx how long until u hear back after u do your virtual interview?
I completed conductor training at the REDI center in August, ladder hang test wasn’t hard at all. I heard back within a week after having my virtual interview, I now have one week till I mark up. Good luck!
Out of the 80+ trainees in training. About 15 had to try again and three had to come back the next morning; I didn’t see those three again. Is more grip strength than shoulder. But two of those guys were lanky looking keyboard warriors that looked like they were fresh off the keyboard. One was an old guy that, to his credit, had massive and strong looking forearms but not strong enough to hold himself that long.
The hang test will not be a problem I’m a complete gym rat lol
You’ll be just fine lol. I use to be one many years ago. About time I get back to it.. hard becoming an old man 🤣
I appreciate it brother I’ve been watching yours vids and you’ve been a big help and it’s never too late to get back in lol
Please reply to this message. Does anyone who has a elbow fracture operated 12-15 years ago, would they reject the application for a train conductor? Kindly reply
I’m not positive. I’m sure it would all depend on your physical and your primary care doctor saying you can perform the task of a conductor. I would still apply cause I know a lot of guys who have had surgeries that are conductors.
@@Railroad_Talk 😊 thank you. That is an encouraging reply. Just one last query. Are there different conductors for passenger train and goods train? Or a conductor may be posted anywhere? To me this position always seemed to be a goods train. Do they interact with passengers?
In '04 it was 4 min per arm with csx
Are you wearing duck boots in this video? I feel like if you don’t any you should right now
What about csx
Who else is watching this in 2023?
A lot! Roughly 100 per day.
I didn’t have to do that
Its like he said you only have to do it once its not that hard. If I was hanging off a ladder and that all that was involved I would say I could do it all day but that would be lying . 4 or 5 minutes is nothing . I've rode several miles a stretch hanging from a damn car. The hanging is not the bad part . The bad part is being thrown back and forth while hanging on while the engineer will only use the independent brake to control the cut . Believe me you will use both hands to hang on them. That's an extremely stupid and dangerous practice those idiots care teaching you all anyway. The sole purpose of that exercise is to intimidate you and try to get you to believe you can't do it and make you give up and quit . About 20 years before I retired I'd decided I'd had enough and I give up riding on the side of them. I simply walked . did I walk far ? You bet I did it was better than being beat to death hanging from the side of a car . lantern in one hand radio in another and trying to keep up with a switch list among all that foolishness . They can't make you do something dangerous . Did they come up to me mad as hornets wanting to know why I wouldn't ride the cars ? They sure did when they asked why i wouldn't ride them . one answer . it's to damn dangerous !
I want a hat but can’t find where you’re listening them
I am currently making some new hats with the new logo on them. I will have a video on the items coming. I have ordered all of them so I can check the quality before listing the products.
Thanks!
Lol the hang test….i guess ppl actually do fail this
Some cars like gondolas you cant get comfortable and on my territory I have 2-3 mile shoves. U usually have a van u can utilize or just tell yourengineer to stop after so long. Take a few minutes and go again. Dont stress this
I failed all three times lol first two in the pouring rain and slipped immediately with the gloves provided and 3rd time I slipped last second right as he called for us to regrip. Literally 1 second longer I’d have made it.
@@HauntedFx_Nc welp then not job for u
I recommend SHeetz
@@skinneer1 sheetz?
Any women in the chat that has taken the hang test?
it basically simple for the hang test like Railroad Talk say it 45 second on each arm and 15 second on the either right or left arm to held it up, Then you pass, Because when I was training to be conductor in NS Training Center I did it.
I failed my first test with CSXT my second test I used gloves with sticky shit like receivers gloves. I'm 6'5" and was 400# at the time.