CSX scores engagement, youthful inspiration at 'Bring Your Child to Work Day'

By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor 

The Class Is long have found it difficult to recruit new field workers since railroading is a physically demanding, work/life balance-challenging occupation. Many of those seeking jobs don’t consider it appealing to work outdoors in all types of weather or at any time of the day and day of the week. 

Plus, many people aren’t knowledgeable about railroading, aren’t aware of what a field position offers — such as high pay and attractive benefits — and aren’t familiar with the unique equipment used by railroads, such as locomotives and freight cars. 

CSX is trying to approach this in a different way by showing current employees’ children what railroading and their parents’ jobs are all about to perhaps help inspire the youngsters to become the next generation of rail workers. And in a fun and engaging way. 

Late last year, CSX conducted three Bring Your Child to Work Days, during which kids attending kindergarten through high school could come to their parent’s rail yard to participate in and learn from numerous activities. The idea: to provide the children a better understanding of how trains are built, how freight is moved, and how tracks, locomotives and rail cars are maintained.  

Held for the first time at field locations, Bring Your Child to Work Day was conducted last year at Rigby Yard in Portland, Maine, on Oct. 25; at Radnor Yard in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 12; and at Yeoman Yard in Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 6. 

The events enabled employees to showcase their jobs to their children during hands-on demonstrations and fun activities, which were designed to be suitable and engaging for kids of all ages. 

Children who attended the event in Tampa on Dec. 6 — some of whom were very young — played with equipment in the yard and received giveaways, such as sunglasses.  CSX

“We organized Bring Your Child to Work events to give our employees the opportunity to show their children what they do at work. These events brought together all our operating departments, allowing kids to experience railroad operations firsthand,” CSX officials said in an email. “The event showcased departments such as mechanical, engineering, transportation, safety and railroad police, among others.” 

Displays included a wide range of equipment and tools from each operations group. 

“Highlights included a locomotive simulator and a model knuckle for children to rebuild, providing hands-on experiences of what happens each day at [the yards],” CSX officials said. 

In addition, the unique aspects of each yard’s history were displayed via photographs, old documents and videos so attendees could understand the facility’s evolution over the years. Also, CSX Police Department officials demonstrated K9 units and explained their vital roles within the organization.  

Moreover, kids received CSX-branded merchandise — such as t-shirts and sunglasses — and joined their parents for rides aboard the Class I’s “The Mighty Chessie” mini train, which features a locomotive, intermodal well car and caboose. The rubber-tire train is pulled by a scale model locomotive built to exact specifications that’s placed atop a compact commercial tractor. 

Bring Your Child to Work Day enables many CSX employees to meet fellow co-workers who are employed in other departments at the railroad. CSX

The Mighty Chessie added to the excitement, “making the events a memorable experience for all,” CSX officials said. 

While the events were designed to engage youngsters, they also helped build rapport among employees at the yards. Some for the first time met fellow co-workers who are employed in other departments at the railroad. 

Many employees who attended the Bring Your Child to Work Days provided positive feedback about the festivities, CSX officials said.  

“Many participants appreciated the opportunity to share their workplace with their children and found the activities engaging,” they said. “Additionally, there is interest from other employees who would like this event to be hosted at their locations.”