Western Railroad Discussion > Watco ( wisconsin & southern)

anyone have the basic info on WATCO (wisconsin & southern) out of Prairie Du Chein? How big a crew base, jobs locals or road? Away from home terminal. Are they an OK outfit since Watco took over? Union or non-union and pay??

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Jason, as I recall crews are based out of Madison for this territory and yes WSOR/WATCO is non union I believe. However they offer a better life style than big roads which pay higher. WSOR is a well maintained railroad which is constantly growing with a bright future. They generally allow the crews to make their own operating decisions without a lot of "managing".

Keep in mind there will always be a migration of railroaders from the big roads to the smaller ones for a better life style and vice versa for higher pay. 

Exprail 

A few years ago I stayed with my daughter-in-law's parents a few times in Spring Green (between Madison and Prairie du Chein).  The WSOR tracks ran right in back of their home.  I remember WSOR trains passing westbound in the evening and back to Madison in the wee hours of the morning.  Those trains could be big - approaching 100 cars, mostly covered hoppers.

Stan Praisewater

Some Watco T&E roads are indeed union now.  

Don't "Think" it is a crew base. "THINK" trains come in only a couple times a week with power laying over? Last three visits there was a unit there, so, "POSSIBLY" a unit is kept there for local switching which is not much. Looks like single commodity handled.
JB

An excellent resource for all things WSOR is the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) Facebook group. There are several current employees that post and can probably answer specific employment questions.

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