Hello friends! In this week’s post we’re going to talk about what many in the heritage railroading business face: working seasonally. This is a reality for many companies, museums, and other institutions. For certain parts of the year, the weather is too cold to run trains, or people are taking their vacations in warmer climates.
For example, here in Connecticut we have reduced tourist visitors from November through April. Once the foliage goes away, the tourists largely disappear as well, and they don’t return until the springtime. This creates an off-season at our railroad from January until May.
So how does one stay active and busy while the trains are not running? In this post I will share what has helped me keep my sanity while waiting for the off-season to end. Ready? Let’s climb aboard.
Taking Classes
For those of us who like to learn, or wish to further our education, the off-season is a perfect time to take classes or courses. Indeed, some of my coworkers are students and take classes when there is no work available. I’ll tell you what I did during the last off-season, and how it paid off tremendously.
In the summer of 2023, I had a conversation with my railroad’s president. In that discussion, we both agreed that more captains were needed for maritime operations. He knew that with my maritime background, I was an excellent candidate for a new riverboat captain. I decided that for the winter of 2024, I would get my captain’s license.
I took a virtual class from January to March learning (and re-learning) all the valuable skills that would help me get my license. After passing the required examinations (yahoo!) I quickly got my documents together and submitted them to the Coast Guard.
My license finally arrived in October, too late for me to train as a captain during the 2024 season, but my manager made it clear that he wants me to work as a captain, both training and of record, for the 2025 season.
Partaking in Hobbies
While the trains aren’t running, there are plenty of opportunities to discover new hobbies and interests or take part in old ones. For example, I like to write fiction. During the off-season I write in my manuscripts of both fan fiction and original fiction. I currently have a few fan fiction stories in the works, along with one manuscript for an original novel.
I also like to play video games. Among my favorite types of games to play are role-playing games, such as the Fallout and Elder Scrolls games. There is enough content in those games to keep a player occupied for hundreds of hours. I also have a subscription to the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic. I have logged close to one thousand hours on that game, playing both solo and in groups with other players. Gaming helps my mind stay active when not working.
Traveling
Many of my coworkers like to travel during the off-season, often using the time to go on vacation. My parents own a vacation house up in New Hampshire, near Lake Winnipesaukee. I spend a great deal of time at the lake house during the winter months, along with members of my family. The winter is when I take most of my vacations. As a family tradition, we spend Christmas and New Year’s together as a family.
Funny enough, my manager in the maritime operations department also vacations in New Hampshire during the winter. Like me, he takes full advantage of our work’s seasonal nature to get some much-needed rest.
I remember hearing stories from my coworkers both at the Essex Steam Train and other organizations about their vacations to far-flung and often warm destinations during the off-season. One of my fellow trainmen went to Aruba, another went to California to see his daughter, and still another went to Europe.
Even if you’re not going far, the off-season provides time for local travel. My sisters live in the Boston area, about 2 hours away, and I visit my sisters most often during the off-season. I have fewer opportunities to see them during the regular season because I am working so much.
Working a Second Job
Can’t afford to stop working? The off-season allows for working a second job, or allowing you to focus on your primary job.
Most for-profit heritage railroads keep only a handful of staff on board as full-time employees, leaving the majority of their help as seasonal, part-time workers. I know many of my fellow part-timers work a second job to make ends meet.
For example, my buddy Peter has a full-time job working as a laser engraver. That job provides him with a steady income and benefits during the off-season. The downside is that it prevents him from working at the railroad more often during the regular season, but for him, the tradeoff is worth it.
Indeed, I worked a full-time job at a hospital from 2020 to 2023. During that time, I had reduced hours at the railroad but was able to get a steady income all year round. Ultimately, though, the railroad was (and remains) my true passion, and that’s where I stayed after leaving my hospital job.
Spending Time with Family and Friends
One of the difficult things about the off-season is being separated from my coworkers, who function as a support system during the regular season. Indeed, some of my closest friends are also coworkers at the railroad. What’s someone to do when cut off from them?
I take advantage of the time away from work to focus on the other important relationships in my life. My family is my priority during this time, which includes visiting regularly with my sisters and parents, as well as cousins. We are a close-knit family, and are sure to spend plenty of time with one another.
I also work on keeping my friendships strong. I travel in a few different circles (cosplay, railroading, metal concerts), and I have some close friends from each. My closest friend Ben is a childhood friend from elementary school. We have kept in contact ever since. As adults, we meet regularly for drinks, games, or any activity.
Conclusion
The off-season is not just about not working – it’s about resting, refocusing, and regrouping. It is a time to focus on what matters most to you, be it your career, your relationships, or your hobbies. It is a time to make the most of not working and build yourself up.
For those of you who work seasonally, I hope you take full advantage of the opportunities that the off-season offers. And before you know it, you’ll be back at work! Stay safe and healthy out there, friends.
As always, thanks for reading!