Miguel Castaño is a bit of a legend among Spanish machine operators. The 62-year-old has tamped countless tracks, day and night. Hardly anyone has more experience and has witnessed the technical developments in track maintenance over the last few decades so closely: “We even used to mark things like the superelevation and gradient on the track with chalk, that's how long I've been doing this. In the meantime, of course, many things have evolved and now the machines can do almost everything themselves.”
When he thinks about retirement, Miguel is looking forward to one thing in particular – no more night shifts: “The amount of work at night is similar to working during the day, but the physical strain is different. Even if night shifts are shorter, they’re hard on your body in the long run.” To stay balanced and fit despite the strain, Miguel has found a hobby that he can do anytime, anywhere: running. “I've really enjoyed it a long time now. It’s a stress reliever and I need it. It just makes me satisfied and happy.”
A bit of fun is a must
Another factor that has been decisive for Miguel over the years is having a friendly relationship with his colleagues: “The team that works with you on the machine is incredibly important. And if everyone gets on well, you can always do something outside of work, go out to eat, have drinks together, have a bit of fun, which isn't bad either.”
Which stories do Miguel remember in particular? “I've been around for many, many years and could probably tell a million anecdotes. For example, we used to play a joke on the newbies: when someone arrived, on the first day we’d send him off to fetch a certain tool that didn't even exist. After looking for it for a while, he’d usually come back at a loss with a screwdriver or something, because of course the tool was nowhere to be found.”
Miguel, the father figure
José Carlos González once had to endure this ritual as a young machine operator and still smiles about it today: “Stories like this bring people together and there's never a lack of humour, which is important.” However, it doesn’t stop with the team fun factor: Miguel has always been a real role model for José, both professionally and personally. “I met Miguel 20 years ago and he taught me the job. He’s the most experienced one on the team, and for me he’s almost like our father.”
When Miguel looks to the future, he wishes for one thing above all: that the next generation will also be enthusiastic about the profession, which is not always easy. “It's not easy to motivate young people for this job because it's very hard. But the work is fascinating and when they start here, I tell them: ‘If you don't leave now, you won't leave again’. It's hard work, but it captivates you, and once you've been bitten by the bug, it won't let you go.”
