Conductor- The Heart & Soul of the Railroad by Robert L. Bryan

Author:Robert L. Bryan [Bryan, Robert L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-01-17T05:00:00+00:00

Japan

Rail transportation in Japan is said to have begun around the end of the Edo Period. This period in Japan lasted from 1603 to 1868 and was marked by economic growth and a strict policy of isolationism. So strict was this policy, known as Sakoku, that it prevented all native peoples from leaving the country and all foreigners from entering. As you can imagine, this was not an environment conducive to accepting and adapting outside technologies. It’s important to understand how world changing the end of isolationism was for the people of Japan.

The impact of the railroad on Japan began subtly. Dutch traders, among the few who were allowed contact with the island, brought word of railroad transportation. Other visitors, including the infamous Matthew Perry who was instrumental in bringing about the end of the Edo Period, brought model trains, sparking an interest in this new development.

In 1872, the first Japanese rail line was completed, connecting Tokyo to Yokohama. Nine years later, Japan saw the foundation of its first privately owned railroad company, the Nippon Railway. Prior to this, all rail lines in Japan had been under the purview of the imperial government. In the decade that followed, several more private companies rose, developing an extensive rail network in the small country.

Around the early 20th century, many of these private lines (seventeen to be exact) were nationalized. Under the Railway Nationalization Act, the government took control of these lines. This happened again around the second World War. This time, the government forcibly took control of twenty-two additional companies in the interest of the war effort.

It is clear that just as with the United States, the railroad played a significant role in Japan’s recent history. These days, Japan is known for punctual trains with strict rules and regulations. They’ve also pushed technological boundaries, creating a network of high speed trains known as Shinkansen.

Japanese train conductors hold positions fairly similar to those in the United States. In short, they manage the trains, using hand signals and a process called “pointing and calling” to communicate with other members of the train crew. Pointing and calling is most commonly used by the train drivers, but other crew members will sometimes employ it. It’s so commonly used in Japan, that it is sometimes called by its Japanese name, shisa kanko. The practice is born from the philosophy that making large gestures and speaking actions helps keep workers focused and helps prevent errors. When a crewman points and calls, other crew members must react. In short, the behavior engages all of the senses and keeps train employees on their toes. Modern Japanese train conductors also dress in a manner similar to western conductors. They tend to dress formally, in jackets and ties. They also wear the trademark billed caps with insignias on the front. You may also see these conductors with white gloves and whistles.

China

The railroad came late to China when compared with the aforementioned eastern nations. The first Chinese railways were built in the late 19th century, decades after they’d been established in India and Japan.

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