Matt the Rail Operator!

Just a friendly rail operator in the PNW.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

Took a quick selfie while walking with @KingCountyMetro and ATU587 during Seattle’s Pride Parade.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

@POTUS Welcome to the PNW! Thank you for investing in infrastructure. It would have been awesome to have you on tonight’s test train underneath Seattle. I think you would have gotten a kick out of it.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

These are from last night.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

I’ll be doing more vertical clearance testing tonight in the tunnels. It’s definitely an interesting experience working as a test train operator, that’s for sure!

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

You know it’s going to an interesting night when the train you’ve been assigned has wires everywhere and equipment on a folding table. “We want you to get up to 55 then stop via emergency braking” Okey Dokey!

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

And just a quick video of plowing the driveway. Decided to use the backside of the blade to avoid ripping up the driveway and grass

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

Finally got some time off to play in the snow, which means breaking out the tractor!

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

Even went and bought a new spreader to apply salt and sand after plowing. I can still taste the salt….

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

@Foxygen_Prime Farewell Cricket, we hardly knew ya.

Sometimes you just gotta YOLO that mispelling and send it! And hopefully no one notices.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

@Foxygen_Prime Happy Birthday!!!! I hope it’s a great one!!!!

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

Oh, and don’t worry about his hat though, it usually floats back down onto his head when he gets to the next station.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

So I rarely post anything like this, but I just had to share! @CarniART did an amazing job of creating this pic of Chiba, my online avatar, having a blast through the countryside. I wanted to a custom, fun pic for finally getting my dream job, and I can’t wait to get it printed.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

@ChilledChaos I’m personally running a at2035 out of a Scarlett Solo 2nd Gen and haven’t had any issues! And if you have a case with 5.25” bays, it actually fits in them with a little snugness.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

@JonathanYMusic Right? Trains are great for commuters too! Like oh no the freeway is backed up and it’s gonna take me an hour to get downtown, better take the light rail that’ll get me there in 15 minutes.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

Hey look, it’s me! That first day of weekday service was pretty entertaining, same with the weekend too! It was amazing to see how many people showed up and were taking pictures and videos of us running on the new section.

[Brian Flores @BrianFloresTV]

The first weekday AM commute for @SoundTransit Link Light Rail from the new Northgate station. #Fox13Seattle

[Brian Flores @BrianFloresTV]

The first weekday AM commute for @SoundTransit Link Light Rail from the new Northgate station. #Fox13Seattle

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

Well, after a couple of months of training and a life time of waiting, I finally landed my dream job! I’m now getting to operate trains for a living!

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

@Foxygen_Prime I may not know much but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me unemployable in a career field like yours.

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

@Foxygen_Prime I can’t wait, thank you!

[Matt the Rail Operator! @MWalkerofsultan]

Here is the opening lines from an email I got this week:

Dear Matthew

Welcome to the Transit Department's Rail Division! The Light Rail Operator (LRO) training class begins at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 28th in the Operations and Maintenance Facility.