Fifty years of fun and counting for BNSF employee
By MIKE PAGEL
Staff writer
On July 24, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled against President Richard Nixon, denying his claim of executive privilege related to the Watergate scandal. That same week, in Minot, North Dakota, a spry 19-year-old named Don Eslinger reported for his first day on the job as a carman with BNSF predecessor Burlington Northern Railroad (BN).
Today, Eslinger continues to serve on the railroad. Day in and day out through five decades and nine U.S. presidents, Eslinger has been inspecting, maintaining and repairing railcars.
“One of my buddies was talking about job opportunities with the railroad and he just said, ‘go ahead, you should go out there,'” Eslinger recalls of how he got his start. “I went down to the office, put in an application and before long they called me and told me to go out to the Gavin Yard to get to work. So that’s what I did.”
From Day One, Eslinger thought this might be a job he could see himself staying at for a while. “I had always heard that the railroad was a good place to work,” he said.
Throughout the years, Eslinger has helped teach younger team members how to do things the right way. “You don't want anybody to get hurt out there,” he said.
His journey with the railroad has come full circle. After hiring in Minot, he spent 12 years in Mandan, North Dakota, before a couple of short tenures in Glendive, Montana, and Aberdeen, South Dakota. Then he accepted a road truck job back in Minot, his home.
As he reflects on five decades in railroading, what he cherishes most is the time he spent with colleagues.
“It’s actually been fun to go to work because we had some pretty good guys to work with,” he said. “We all got along great. And when you spend that much time with them, you get to know them pretty well.”
“He is always willing to help others when in need and does not shy away from work,” Justin Miller, general foreman, said. “He is smiling most of the time when engaging with the team. He treats everyone as equals even though he has many more years of seniority and could have them perform the work. He’s the kind of person you want on your team.”
Eslinger’s seen significant advancements in technology and tools over the years that have helped him do his job more safely and efficiently. Among his favorite innovations is an enclosed, cab-heated Kubota.
“Back in the day, we were walking the length of the train carrying our tools, spare parts, a flashlight,” he recalled. “Working nights in the winter … it was tough. Now we ride in a Kubota where we can stay warm until we do our work. And we have everything with us in the back, so we don’t have to walk with it all.”
His impact on his teammates has been meaningful.
“Anyone who has worked around or with Don has been taught something in life,” Miller said. “He’s not only taught many people how to do certain tasks safely, but also how to work hard and care for the business you work for.”
Though he’s thought about retirement, Eslinger said he still wants to stay aboard for a couple more years.
“If he didn’t think the work was fun, he would have probably retired years ago,” Miller said.
Thank you, Don Eslinger, for your loyalty and an amazing career. Keep up the great work!
