Norfolk Southern marks 50th anniversary of training center in McDonough

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MCDONOUGH, Ga. — Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern Railway is marking a big anniversary.

Their training center in McDonough is 50 years old.

It’s where trainees from across the country come to learn what it takes to move a train safely.

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Channel 2′s Bryan Mims was part of a rare media tour of the center on Wednesday.

The company operates over 19,000 miles of track in 22 eastern states.

It gained notoriety nearly two years ago when a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

The training center is where the company hopes to prevent accidents like that from happening again.

Working on the railroad demands a lot of skilled hands.

There are welders, machinists, conductors, and engineers.

Jason Myers, Norfolk Southern’s Director of Technical Training said the employees train to prevent all accidents and injuries.

“It’s our belief that every accident and injury can be prevented and it’s about getting to the root cause of those when they happen, learning from them, and integrating them in what we train here,” he said.

At the training center, there’s a model train.

That’s where communications and signals employees hone their skills.

Moving a real train safely is an ensemble production.

“That entire cast of characters comes together daily, around the clock, 24-7, 365 to make sure that our network is supporting the American economy,” Myers said.

Trainees get to practice on video simulations of moving trains at the center.

Outside of the center, employees work with 800 lbs. wheels and 33-ton cars.

They learn how to repair wheels and tracks and the mighty locomotives.

Brianna Johnson trains the conductors. They’re in charge of the safety and operation of the train.

“It’s proven and progressive, the railroad. We have a rich heritage. We’re progressive with our equipment, we’re progressive with our technology, we’re progressive with our training,” Johnson said.

At any given time there are about 350 people training at the center, getting hands-on instruction and classroom time.

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