Mr. RailroadTM
SP/UP Engineer, 45 Years - Retired
US Navy Veteran Seabees MCB11
Veteran Small Business Owner
Co-Founder 45 Years RailroadTM
Co-Author:
45 Years of True Railroad StoriesTM
Speaker
Inventor
Sharing my 45 year railroad experiences is my PASSION!
​ I want people to know what it was like to work for the railroad - how the railroad operates, what the crews go through, how the railroad changed since I hired on - until I retired. Most people see a train as a cool thing, but they don't have a clue as to what goes on behind the scenes.
My railroad career began when I was hired in engine service for the Southern Pacific Railroad on my 18th birthday, 1955.
I started as a Fireman, and was promoted to Engineer in 1971. I was one of the few employees hired in engine service that started by firing steam engines and retired as an engineer operating up to 6,000 horsepower computer-controlled General Electric diesel locomotives, with just under 2,000,000 compensated miles.​ I love the railroad and my country, having served 4 years in the United States Navy, SEABEES, MCB11. "Construimus, Batuimus" = "We build, We fight"
John Cockrell
My book, Available on AMAZON
45 Years of True Railroad StoriesTM
291 Pages, Original, Never-Before-Seen Pictures and Over 60 Stories, such as:
The Rat Hole * My First Hobo * The Three Nurses * New Year's Eve Torpedos * Refer at Redding * Cattle on the Bridge * Chemical Spill * Cantera Loop, and many more.
"Anyone who wants to learn about what an engineer's experiences and life are like will want to get this book. I found it most enjoyable to read." Bob Church, SP Steam Locomotive Historian-Author
The stories in our book are real-life experiences, written in first-person perspective. It is a historical book that is meant for sharing. Not only with you, but with generations to come. Co-authoring 45 Years of True Railroad StoriesTM, my career memoir, with my wife, is my most recent accomplishment. Even though I had many more stories to add to our book, it contains the ones that I most vividly remember. My philosophies on life and the secret to surviving retirement? God first. Love. Family. Friends. Never stop rolling along! Enjoy the journey!