Students in the new logistics degree program at Cochise College recently got a first-hand view of what industry life is about - from the locomotive engineer’s seat. San Pedro and Southwestern Railroad, a short-line railroad running from Benson to St. David, hosted a group of first-year students to showcase the two most important aspects of logistics jobs - safety and customer service.

Railroad General Manager Scott Parkinson provided the afternoon tour and gave the students a key tip within minutes of entering the Benson station.

“Servicing our customer needs is job one, no matter what industry you're in.”

As evidence, his station tracks were empty. His entire crew and engines were seven miles south at the customer site working an unplanned 20-plus railcar movement to Apache Nitrogen to meet customer needs.

Students toured what Parkinson called the “field of dreams,” a transload (railcar to truck) facility he built three years ago because he saw a need for the service in the community. Parkinson was right. There was a need, as demonstrated by a full track of railcars waiting for trucks to offload the freight for its final journey to industry. In times past, the area was used to unload lumber for homebuilding, chemicals for the mining industry, and for temporary storage of empty freight cars.

“Being flexible for your customers is a necessity," Parkinson explained.

His railroad wye - a track used for turning cars around to face the correct direction - was full of freight and passenger cars in temporary storage for a variety of customers. This creative use of railroad space showed students how industry must adapt to changing needs while still providing revenue to the business.

After touring the transload facility, students caught up with the engine crew and rode along with them, asking questions and learning about jobs in the logistics industry in Cochise County. A highlight for students was helping sound the locomotive horn for crossing Highway 80, where trucks hauling finished product from Apache Nitrogen had to stop and wait for the train to pass.

The new degree program in logistics at Cochise College offers classes year around, with tuition assistance available through a federal grant until spring 2011. Contact Cochise County Workforce Development for more information.