Train Safe Eccentrics

02/25/2026

Track Inspection Training for Plant Railroads, Industrial Leads & Yard Tracks

I spent the day in Woodland, WA working with four great individuals from Columbia River Carbonates. We covered classroom instruction, a short exam, and then moved straight into hands‑on field work.
In the afternoon we got out on the ground to check gauge using a purpose‑built gauge tool. It’s a simple device, but it really helps inspectors understand gauge variation without constantly bending over with a tape measure.
Even though a plant railroad like this isn’t required to meet FRA Part 213 inspection standards, we train to Class 1 requirements. High standards build strong habits, and strong habits keep people safe. The goal is simple: identify defects early and maintain track to the standard every railroad deserves.
This operation sits right next to the BNSF double‑main. In just 30 minutes we watched five westbounds roll north — a good reminder of why proper training and situational awareness matter, even on plant trackage.

Another solid day of building skill, confidence, and safety culture.
Train Safe my friends.

02/16/2026

Just Took Delivery of Something Special: TSE 7444
Fresh off the AI production line and straight onto the mountain scene, meet SD70ACe TSE 7444, the newest member of the Train Safe Eccentrics Corporation. This locomotive proudly joins the nationwide celebration of our country's 250th anniversary, echoing the tradition of patriotic displays by railroads across America. Its bold red, white, and blue livery pays tribute not only to the spirit of the nation, but also to the historic moments when railroads honored milestones, much like the symbolic locomotives I remember from the Missouri Pacific Railroad during the 1976 Bicentennial as well as other major railroads.
SD70ACe TSE 7444 stands as a vibrant reminder of those legacy engines, carrying forward the tradition of celebrating American heritage, unity and prosperity on the rails.
This unit isn’t just another locomotive. It’s a 4,300-horsepower statement piece: EMD Electro Motive Division, engineered for both performance and presence. With its advanced technology and striking patriotic design, SD70ACe #7444 is built to handle demanding mainline duties while proudly representing the legacy and innovation of American railroading.
A red, white and blue SD70ACe built for heavy mainline work
AC traction that digs in and stays in and superb dynamic braking for those long demanding grades.
And a livery that turns every run into a rolling tribute
From the bold TSE nose to the star-spangled long hood, this machine blends modern horsepower with a patriotic punch that stands out on any territory, mountain grades, desert flats, or yard leads of the Pacific Northwest.
Train Safe Eccentrics prioritizes safety by promoting clear communication, understanding, and compliance. This method keeps railroads within regulations. Training, standards, guidance, and skilled work are managed with professionalism.
If you want to improve safety, training, and operations, or simply enhance your railroad’s performance. Train Safe Eccentrics is ready to help. Check out Train Safe Eccentrics on Google and Facebook site as well.

02/12/2026

Puyallup Washington and the Meeker Southern Railroad. Enginner and Conductor performance rides. Great day to be railroading. BNSF interchange and the CBC box plant at the end of the 4.5 mile line. Train Safe my friends.

02/12/2026

I was in Seattle Wa this week working with the Meeker Southern Railroad employees which consisted of annual classroom training and then on Tuesday performance rides. This operation was originally known as as the Ballard RR, but the company is now referred to as the Meeker Southern for both entity’s. This was on the Ballard Industrial Lead serving the Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel. Interchange with the BNSF. Cement loads in and empty’s going out. Great company and have seen some growth in employment with 6 employees that received training.

02/05/2026

Track Mobile and Rail Yard Safety. Columbia River Carbonates in Woodland Washington. I had the opportunity to conduct Rail Yard Safety training using Track Mobile 95 equipment. A short one hour north for me. What a great day with 60 degree weather.
Served by the BNSF RR, Columbia River Carbonates, is a supplier of high-grade ultra-fine ground calcium carbonate products and technical service for the paper, paint, plastic and other industries throughout the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Safety manger Eileen Griffiths indicated their rail yard incidents have been significantly reduced since we started their training program 3 years ago. Great Work Team.

02/01/2026

First day of February 2025. Final certification ride for Goose Lake Railway Engineer Reed Christensen in the Union Pacific rail yard in Alturas California.

Contact me for all your engineer and conductor training.

https://www.trainsafeeccentrics.com/

11/10/2025

Weekend vibes at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center — doing what I love most: training!
Train Safe Eccentrics has been spending time with a dedicated crew of volunteer engineers, prepping for the upcoming Holiday Express — one of ORHC’s biggest seasonal events. Just 16 miles from home, this museum and rail yard is a gem.
We clocked 14 hours of refresher training covering GCOR, safety protocols, air brakes, and Hours of Service reporting. These guys are top-notch — many with past experience on local short lines, Union Pacific, and Burlington Northern. Training was held in this renovated caboose.
Earlier, we tackled conductor training, and let me tell you… the stories and shenanigans from their railroad careers are legendary.
Next weekend annual train rides and stop tests.
So Cool to be part of such a passionate and skilled team.

10/23/2025

It’s always great to visit the crew of the RVT in White City Oregon. Roadway Worker Protection training as well as track inspection for class 1 track was conducted this last summer . Then returned for air brake and mechanical inspections and single car air brake tests. Great group and a well kept operation.

The Rogue Valley Terminal Railroad (reporting mark RVT) is a 14-mile (23 km) shortline railroad that connects the industrial park in White City, Oregon, United States to the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad, which hauls its cars to the Union Pacific Railroad at Eugene, Oregon or Black Butte, California via the Siskiyou Summit, or to the Yreka Western Railroad at Montague, California.

10/18/2025

Train Safe Eccentrics was in Coos Bay Oregon this week conducting their annual Roadway Worker Protection training along with Bridge and Fall protection. This railroad operates between Eugene Oregon and Coos Bay with almost 100 bridges. Beautiful railroad and a great organization.
Unfortunately the North Bend swing bridge is currently out of service.
Not my pictures. This line is one of the favorites for motorcar enthusiasts. Pacific Railcar Operators are on this line this weekend for their annual Teddy Bear ride. Unfortunately I had previous training commitments planned.

09/16/2025

Goose Lake Railway pulls first load out of the new Eco Materials facility in Lakeview Oregon. Shown here is the crew. Fabian Delgado a student conductor, Engineer Carol Bishop and Conductor Tyler McConnell.
Goose Lake engineering team led by Chase Scheafer built and constructed the track layout.
I was along on the trip this day evaluating Fabian’s performance as a conductor. He is doing well.

06/26/2025

Very tragic situation. It starts with training. It’s so important for comprehension to be obtained. Train Safe….

⚠️SOFA ALERT ⚠️The Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Working Group reports a fatality while performing a shoving movement. This is a reminder to all rail employees, even experienced ones, to remain alert during rail operations. Read the June 9, 2025 alert here: https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/sofa-alert-june-9-2025

04/27/2025

Turn up the volume and listen to the power tugging on 25K tons of Pot Ash for export.