Almost a conductor

Today I received some shiney new gear for when I will be on the trains. In the picture you see switch keys, high visibility vest, safety glasses, a new lantern and a brand new radio. Along with the new boots and overalls I bought before I left, the old hats should have no problem picking the new guy out of a line up.

Classes have been going well. I haven't received less than 90% on any of our tests which are fairly easy considering they are open book. I should get 100% each time but that instructor makes a really tricky exam. He freely admits that one must be a skilled wordsmith to ace one of his exams.

Final exam is tomorrow and once passed, I will be CROR qualified with HBR, conversant in its special special insructions and general operating rules. Then it's time to take the real test - not screwing up. Of course it's bound to happen. The sooner I get it over with, the better. Excited about getting comfortable and out of probation :-)

I met a real character (one of many) who is from Liverpool. A self proclaimed "fat bastard" who made a very hilarious effort to bestow upon me the physical laws of "fat bastard dynamics 101" and how they prevent him from using tiny bathrooms in locomotives because, apparently there's not enough pork fat and shoe horns to accomodate his girth (his words). One of the funniest monolougs I've ever heard and coupled with a trainee vomiting he's laughing so hard (seriously, and there was no alcohol involed), one of the funniest moments of my life. If only I had it on video. It felt so good to be keeled over in uncontrollable laughter.

Aside from being asked (several times now) if I was vegetarian, things have been quite smooth. Look for another update tomorrow and bye for now. :-)

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