Railway Track & Structures - November 2008 - (Page 14)

AREMA NEWS Getting to know Victor Babin AREMA: How did you get involved in AREMA and your committee? Babin: I first became involved with the Association of American Railroads Communication and Signal Division Committee E in the mid-1990s when I was asked to help revise the recommended practices for impedance bonds. Later, I developed a few new manual parts and collaborated on many others. I have held positions as secretary and chairman of Subcommittee 37-3, as well as vice chairman and chairman of the full committee. AREMA: Outside of your job and the hard work you put into AREMA, what are your hobbies? Babin: I enjoy camping and travel with my family. We like to hike and have recently made some discoveries while geocaching. On weekends, I shoot sporting clays, skeet and trap at a local hunting club. I am an outdoorsman and maintain a small wooded property and farm pond that is stocked with panfish. AREMA: Tell us about your family. Babin: Heidi, my wife of 26 years, is a fifth-grade teacher and the mother of our two daughters, Katrina and Sarah. Katrina holds multiple baccalaureate degrees, is a nursing student at Indiana University and likes reading and running. Sarah is an English major at Purdue University and takes pleasure in creative writing and guitar playing. AREMA: If you could share one interesting fact about yourself with the readers of RT&S, what would it be? Babin: I enjoy taking on new challenges both professionally and in my private life. Advancing projects from concept through development to implementation is one of my greatest joys. At home, I might be learning farm pond management, rebuilding an old tractor or constructing a barn or footbridge. At the office, I might be working to modernize a signal, communication or traction power system. At all times, I want to be learning and trying new things. AREMA: What is your biggest achievement? Babin: Above all, my marriage and family are most important to me and will be the ultimate measure of my life. As for my career, I would say that my greatest achievement has been my involvement in the modernization of the NICTD South Shore Line. For the past several years, we have been upgrading from timetable and train order operations and automatic block signals to a centralized traffic management system with a modern control center utilizing computer-aided dispatching and fiber-optic communications. Concurrent with these efforts, we have begun the process of replacing an antiquated fixed-termination catenary system with a temperature-compensating auto-tension catenary system. These accomplishments have led to a far more reliable and flexible commuter rail system for Northwest Indiana. AREMA: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to pursue a career in the railway industry? Babin: Communications, interpersonal and business skills are as essential as technical competence. A prospective railroader’s earliest efforts should be to learn railroad operations and how to play a part in improving service delivery. Find out what other departments and disciplines do and how they interact. Understand and respect the importance of each in meeting your employer’s objectives. Become involved in professional and industry associations like AREMA. Participate in committee activities to develop a network of professional associates and to gain a broader perspective of your field and the railroad industry. Share the knowledge you have gained to benefit your employer, advance your career and promote the industry. Victor R. Babin, FIRSE Chair, Committee 37Signal Systems Chief Engineering Ofﬁcer NICTD ach month AREMA will feature one of our committee chairmen. We are pleased to announce that the November featured chairman is Victor R. Babin, chair of Committee 37 - Signal Systems. AREMA: Why did you decide to choose a career in railway engineering? Babin: I grew up with railroads within sight of my home, but had not considered a railroad career or the need for electrical engineers on a railroad. After working in the electrical engineering field for several years, I was considering a career change when I was offered an interview with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, an electrified railroad providing commuter service since 1908. I came to realize that this would be a great place to utilize my engineering skills, earn a good living, provide for my family and fulfill my personal desire to have a positive effect on the natural environment. Accepting the job offer is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. AREMA: How did you get started? Babin: I started by working on signal and electric traction systems on the NICTD South Shore Line. My first activities were highway grade-crossing warning and wayside signal system design, maintenance and construction management. Later, as chief electrical engineer, I expanded my focus to include the catenary and traction power systems. Recently, I accepted the position of chief engineering officer with oversight of all wayside facilities, maintenance and construction personnel and contractors. 14 Railway Track & Structures November 2008 E 2008-2009 Upcoming Committee Meetings November 19-21 December TBA January 22-23 Committee 36 - Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems Committee 33 - Electrical Energy Utilization Committee 8 - Concrete Structures & Foundations Omaha, NE Philadelphia, PA New Orleans, LA www.rtands.com http://www.arema.org http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track and Structures Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D TrainingVvital in Shaping Future of Railroad Industry Switch Stands, Switch Machines Automation Offers Improvements in M/W Planning AREMA 2008 Conference Report Products and Literature People Calendar Advertisers Index Sales Representatives Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - November 2008

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