Do train engineers sleep on the train? Well, the answer to that question is yes! Train engineers work 15-hour shifts and take their naps in the bathroom of the locomotive. It might sound like a dream, but they work long hours and lack air conditioning. But is that really how they spend their time? Read on to learn more about the realities of this job! Here are some interesting facts about train engineers. We’ve all wondered what they do on their lunch breaks, and what we can expect from them as they work.

Freight train engineers sleep on trains

If there are any safety concerns, it’s the fact that train engineers and conductors frequently sleep on the job. According to National Transportation Safety Board records, fatigued crews are at the root of three fatal freight train crashes in the past 20 years. Engineers and conductors, who put in 60 to 70 hours a week, are often on call 24 hours a day, so they are particularly vulnerable to fatigue.

In addition to fatigue, railroaders often spend long stretches of time on the road. They may be waiting in sidings or in the opposite direction of the tracks for another train to arrive. Even though trains can move at about 25 mph, delays due to track repairs, derailments, or congestion can take hours, even days. To make matters worse, the engineer’s sleep time is not consistent and is not compensated for.

They nap in locomotive bathrooms

The concept of napping on trains has been around since 1999. Sleeping rooms have been built in locomotives so that railroaders can enjoy some quality downtime. While passengers are often able to get a restful sleep in the “sidings,” locomotives don’t always have access to restrooms. In fact, trains that run at high speeds stop in stations to allow engineers to use the restroom. This can cause delays.

Currently, the largest diesel locomotive in the world is the Union Pacific Centennial. Locomotive bathrooms are equipped for train engineers in the front hood area. Locomotive bathrooms vary in size and convenience depending on the year. Some trains use Tier 4 locomotives, which meet the latest EPA emissions standards. This reduces nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions. However, the practice is not always a good idea.

They work 15-hour shifts

A new study shows that many train engineers work longer shifts than their colleagues. Researchers used data from 14-day surveys to determine whether train employees sleep enough during the day and whether sleep disruptions lead to fatigue. They also used a random sample of railroad employees to measure sleep durations for 15 hours. The researchers concluded that train employees have a higher chance of developing fatigue than other workers based on their sleep durations.

While train trips range from two to three hours, most crew members remain on duty for up to 24 hours. The conductor and locomotive sleep on the train while on duty. The Burlington Northern engineer had only six and a half hours of sleep during the 48-hour period before the crash in Wyoming. That is not a good standard, and many train engineers have to deal with long work hours, irregular sleep hours, and holiday schedules.

They don’t have air conditioning

Unlike passengers, train engineers don’t have air conditioning, but they do have access to a refrigerator and microwave. They also have a bathroom. Unlike passengers, however, they don’t have a thermostat and no air conditioning. Instead, the train is heated or cooled by overhead lights. And, unlike passengers, train engineers don’t have air conditioning because they sleep on the train.

They can suffer from sleep apnea

The National Institute of Health recently issued a report citing a fatal train crash involving a sleeping engineer. In this case, the engineer was found to have obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes pauses in breathing while sleeping. In the crash, no one else was in the cab car with the engineer. As a result, seven people died. At the time of the accident, railroad companies did not regularly screen their train drivers or engineers for sleep apnea. But after the accident, they began to implement policies to screen their workers for the disorder.

While NJ Transit initially allowed train engineers suffering from sleep apnea to continue working until their symptoms disappeared, the agency changed its policy in early October. Now, train engineers with this condition cannot operate trains until they pass the screening and are declared unfit for duty. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Some railroads require engineers to undergo vision and hearing tests every three years. Some even require annual physicals. Until now, no federal standards exist regarding the extent of a medical examination required for train engineers.