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First female engineer for ATSF reflects on road less traveled
In 1973, 19-year-old Christene Gonzales’ mother planted the seed of going to work for the railroad as a locomotive engineer. Gonzales thought, “What the heck!” She applied, interviewed and was hired.
Unbeknownst to her, Gonzales was about to become the first female locomotive engineer for the Santa Fe Railway.
Over the years, she developed a passion for railroad safety. She was and is a staunch believer in railroad education. Operation Lifesaver Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of railroad-related collisions and fatalities through education and awareness, was just the place to expand her horizons once more.
Then in 1997, Gonzales (now Aldeis) applied for and became a field safety support manager at the newly merged BNSF. She was later promoted to regional manager, Field Safety Support. She also presented Operation Lifesaver workshops to law enforcement agencies, emergency responders and other organizations.
The career path she chose was often the road less traveled. Through hard work and determination, she is proud to say she worked for the railroad in one fashion or another for over 35 years.
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Making Connections: Clinton Watkis
Clinton Watkis is a part of BNSF’s Field Sales team and plays a crucial role in serving our customers based in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to Clinton’s efforts, Pacific Northwest businesses have access to one of the most environmentally friendly ways to move their goods on land.
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BNSF giving back to our communities
- BNSF Railway Foundation donated $24,056 to North Idaho College to help them purchase new equipment for the college’s Career and Technical Education facility.
- BNSF Railway Foundation granted $11,671 to the Clark County Historical Museum to help with its new remodel.
- BNSF Railway Foundation provided a $5,000 grant to the Arts Council Of Snohomish County to support the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which gives thousands of students throughout America the opportunity to broaden their creative horizons while earning local and national recognition.
- BNSF Railway Foundation granted $5,000 to Boys & Girls Aid’s STEP (Stabilization, Transition & Evaluation Program) in Portland. STEP is a short-term shelter program that provides young people, ages 10 to 18, with assessment, evaluation, behavioral rehabilitation, and service planning and placement recommendations. In the STEP Program, youth are placed in foster homes or shelter facilities with trained foster parents and staff who are dedicated to helping them take the next positive ‘STEP’ in their lives.
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Emergencies – Call 800-832-5452
To report a vehicle stalled on a crossing, suspicious circumstances, malfunctioning crossing gates and lights or any other emergency, call 800-832-5452 immediately.
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Have a Question for Us?
Do you have a question about BNSF or rail in the Pacific Northwest that you would like addressed in future issues of Inside Track? Send them to
[email protected].
We welcome your feedback and ideas!
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