Peter Ruesch

Background

About Peter Ruesch

I am searching for an opportunity take my knowledge and experience from working at some of the most well-respected, customer-oriented railroad companies in the nation and expanding that style of service and attention to a larger scale. Named as Railway Age’s Regional Railroad of the Year three times through my career to date — 2012, 2018, and 2021 — my teams have received particular accolades through exceptional letters of recommendation from customers regarding the quality of service and levels of cooperation reached to accommodate and swiftly resolve issues. Despite the simplicity of my job titles throughout my 18-year career in the railroad industry, the nature of shortline railroading is that my roles have crossed into those of trainmaster, crew planner, car manager, locomotive planner, and chief dispatcher, giving me a scope of overall railroad operations far beyond typical clerical or yardmaster duties. Safety has come first in all of those roles. No shortcuts, and while out-of-the-box thinking is welcomed it must remain inside the book of rules. I am GCOR-qualified, and possess a high degree of knowledge and experience with hazardous material handling and documentation, as well as FRA regulations. In yardmaster capacities my work is proactive, taking accurate stock of what work is to be done and what resources are available to execute it. My daily work has normally included direction of several crews moving in close proximity simultaneously, planning and coordinating moves between them. Ideally, I plan my work such that crews avoid conflicting moves between each other allowing them to complete their work safely and efficiently. In all of my railroad roles, communication with other railroads as well as between departments in-house have been part of daily work. This includes communication with subordinates; I try to keep good rapport with everyone. Clear and frequent communication helps keep operations fluid. Questions asked must be clear and concise, answers received are repeated for clarification. Other knowledge used on a daily basis includes familiarity with applicable labor contracts, familiarity with typical office software, and specific yard inventory systems.