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ABOUT

Freadman's Fog Charts started out as a learning aid for myself as a locomotive engineer. Not long in to their creation they saved a mans life. Not only did this make me feel good beyond belief, but also demonstrated their safety value as well. The safety aspect is why I continue charting today. Their popularity has been some what over whelming, and the demand became impossible to keep up with, so I turned to cyber space for help distributing.

Started railroad career in 69 on the Siskiyou's as a telegrapher, with Southern Pacific.Yes the telegraph key was still in operation, thank goodness, it was being phased out. October of 92 transferred to engine service. Fortunate and honored to have trained with one of the best engineers ever. Asked him "what does it take to be a good engineer". He smiled and said "it is not a God given gift, like some would like you to believe, but instead, 5% was rule compliance, 15% common since, and 80% was knowing your territory. Steve Cline's "myrulebook" has simplified rule knowledge tremendously and I am grateful for his work. Sean Abbotts has done a wonderful job of digitizing the Portland Superintendent Bulletins. To date, still have not found any smart pills to help with common since. Territorial knowledge is what fog charts are addressing.

I would like to thank Allan Manson for the mountain of data and time he has furnished towards my fog charts. Allan has also done a lot to address territorial knowledge with his Cheat Sheets for the Seattle Sub.

Fog charts is my answer to territorial knowledge. It's very apparent that territorial knowledge is also paramount to safety. A safe work environment is my ultimate goal. Safety through knowledge does work. It truly is all about knowing.

There are still a few old heads, who I fear are suffering from mad cow, who make comments like "look out the window and learn the territory". They seem to have forgotten that today is not yesterday. When they were learning, there were 6 men on every crew. They typically had 4 to 6 years to learn a territory. There were no radar guns, no event recorders, and it wasn't until the mid 70's before hand radios were in use. Today we have 2 man crews, you get but a few familiarization trips, some cases only 1 or 2 trips. And every trip is downloaded in to a main frame computer to scrutinize your running. It is not the same railroad today. Looking out the window doesn't cut it in today's world. Sometimes suspect it is a petty jealousy issue, that a new man with a fog chart in hand, knows the territory as well or better than an old head who took years to learn the territory.

Typically I make charts for areas I run on. Broke this pattern once, when I charted the Bend Branch. I do enjoy charting and would be willing to chart any territory for the correct compensation.

To date, pretty much made charts on my own time and dime. This web site was created as a means of sharing work with fellow brothers working on the Portland Hub. I have tried several means of sharing work, but do to either cost or time, discontinued these methods. The time and money I have put in to this project is incomprehensible to most, trust me it's a lot. Donations to help pay for this web site would be greatly appreciated. Wife has finally put her foot down and says no more money. It would sadden me to abandon these charts.
Please help me keep this going.

Thanks
Jerry Kim Freadman

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