2 minute read
Experience Shapes Conductor/Engineer
Conductor/Engineer Logan O’Connell learns from his past mistakes. It’s a quality that makes him a valuable team member and peer trainer on the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY) in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Hours into his first shift as a conductor on the FOXY in 2022, had an incident as a result of personal oversight. According to FOXY Trainmaster Troy Kutella, the experience left him dedicated to meticulously following procedures by the book.
Kutella said, “Logan doesn’t shy away from any of his mistakes. He learns from it and moves on.”
Since then, O’Connell has become dual-certified as a conductor/engineer, and became a peer trainer last year. At the time, the FOXY had welcomed several new team members to the Wausau depot, many of whom had not yet started ground school.
Kutella describes O’Connell as a ‘good seeing-eye dog’ for team members just starting their railroad careers. He said: “Logan looks out for the new guys. He does a great job of showing them the ropes.”
As a result, new team members under O’Connell’s wing establish good habits starting Day 1. His mentorship has helped contribute to the overall safety of the short line railroad.
Another way he looks out for his team is by picking up extra shifts whenever necessary. Kutella said: “I can count on Logan. He goes out of his way to be accommodating, whether that’s to a new teammate or someone who needs time off. He’s a great team member.”
