7.15 AM

I always start my day at the workshops by getting into the appropriate PPE. This includes overalls, steel-cap boots, safety glasses, and a bump cap, which you can see in the picture below. It is important to always be wearing PPE as there are many hazards at the workshops, even when you are just walking around.

7.30 AM

Each group congregates for their tailgate meeting at around 7.30 AM. This is when we talk about any notices, the workload, and the jobs we are working on. We also will pick a certain task such as operating a crane, using an angle grinder, etc., and discuss the hazards and risks associated with that task. We then talk about the controls we have in place to manage those risks. This is a great exercise as it keeps safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

8.00 AM

The work I am assigned differs depending on what group I am in. Recently, I have been working on the DL class locomotives. These locomotives are about 15 years old, and many are due for an overhaul. There are many things involved in the overhaul process, such as repairs to electrical equipment, fitting new wheels onto the loco body, and general cleaning of any rust and dirt that has built up. I got to help with de-wheeling the loco seen below, and as part of this, I got to watch the loco body get lifted off the wheels with a 100-ton gantry crane. This was amazing to watch as the crane is about 100 years old and can miraculously still lift locos!

10.00 AM

I have also spent some time working on some air brake components. Many of these parts were made over 50 years ago, but after a good overhaul, they work perfectly. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of the testing process of some of these parts. Below is a photo of the test stand for a triple valve. This valve controls the braking on the wagons. It looks quite intimidating with the various dials and switches, but once you have been through the testing process a few times, it becomes quite simple.

1.00 PM

During my time at the workshops, I’ve seen some workers do some not-so-fun jobs, such as squeezing themselves into cramped spaces to tighten some bolts and waterblasting a whole loco in the hot summer weather. Hard physical work is a reality for most workers at the workshops, and I have gained a lot of respect for those who do tough jobs day after day. Just because I’m an intern, that doesn’t mean I have managed to escape all the tough jobs. I’ve had to do a lot of parts washing, which involves working with various hazardous chemicals. This meant I had to use a respirator and gloves that were about three sizes too big for me, which made it a pretty difficult job to do for hours on end.

3.00 PM

Usually in the afternoon, if the work is starting to slow down, I take some time to write in my internship journal about the things I have been working on during the day. There is always a lot going on at the workshops, so I found it beneficial to take as many notes as I could.

4.00 PM

Work finishes at 4.00 PM, which allows the workers to enjoy their afternoon. I’ve really enjoyed this during the summer as I felt I had plenty of time to enjoy the great weather after a long day at work.

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