February 1978 to February 1984. Chicago & North Western Transportation Company was of course the railroad. My position was Electrical Engineer on the corporate engineering staff.

I designed and drew schematics for locomotive rebuilds and checked the panels and final locomotives. I also wrote standards for electrical maintenance of locomotives. I monitored traction motor failures and looked for ways to reduce them. I also supported the locomotive and motor rebuild facility in Oelwein, IA.

There was great support for my work from my bosses and the people I worked with. Everyone in the field helped me to learn my way and always gave me good ideas to add to my work. Some of the things I did were day to day tasks, but for the first time, I was able to be creative by adding my own ideas to the projects and creating my own projects.