Don Thomas
A career railroader with more than 45 years of experience as a Locomotive Engineer, Road Foreman of Engines, Training Officer, and Consultant & Subject Matter Expert.
Don retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad in 2001 after 30 injury-free years, and has spent the years since training hundreds of new conductors and engineers across the United States and Canada in safety, operations, and FRA equipment-inspection rules and regulations, including mechanical and air brake rules for locomotives and freight cars.
Before his railroad career began, Don served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1970, reaching the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and receiving an honorable discharge.
45+ years on the railroad
Locomotive Engineer
Operated high-speed freight trains on some of the busiest track in the country and handled heavy tonnage coal trains through the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia.
Road Foreman of Engines
As Division Road Foreman of Engines, responsible for FRA compliance and engineer certification for over 400 engineers and trainees, and for training and promoting Locomotive Engineer Trainees.
Training Officer
At the Norfolk Southern Training Center, in McDonough, GA, taught FRA regulations and instructed new-hire conductors on safety and operating rules.
Consultant & Subject Matter Expert
Since 2001, has trained hundreds of conductors and engineers, specializing in safe train-handling techniques taught on state-of-the-art simulators.
Trusted to train the railroads
Don has developed curriculum and taught classes across North America, including for:
- Norfolk Southern Training Center, McDonough, GA
- CSX REDI Training Center, Atlanta, GA
- Union Pacific Training Center, Salt Lake City, UT
- Bombardier Engineer Training Center, Toronto, Canada
He has taught train-handling techniques on the latest simulators for Union Pacific and CSXT, and instructed engineer-promotion and conductor classes for railroads including CSXT, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad, GO Transit (Toronto), MetroLink, and the Port of Catoosa Terminal Railroad, among others, across the U.S. and Canada.
Real-world safety for companies that use rail
Many of Don's students work for large industrial companies that use railroad equipment every day. He has led railroad safety classes and on-site safety audits for operations including 3M, LyondellBasell, and Brock Services across plants in Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, and Alabama, helping their crews work safely around rail cars and car movers. He has also consulted with internal investigation teams on serious rail car-related incidents at industry sites, and served as a railroad consultant on injury litigation.
Education & military service
- Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, GA: Creative Writing (2009), Public Speaking (2001), Web Page Design (1999)
- Concord College, Athens, WV: Management / Human Resources (1990–1992)
- Norfolk Southern: Management / Facilitator / Quality Training (1985–1992)
- University of Toledo, Toledo, OH: Business Administration (1965–1967, 1970–1972)
- United States Marine Corps: Sergeant (E-5), Honorable Discharge (1967–1970)