THE RAILWAY, A PASSION

    Interview with Marin Stoica, Videle station chief

Railway Journal: How would you describe your activity at the railways, 29 years after working here?
Marin Stoica: I can say that it is very complex and to have such a job, one must like it. I say complex because it involves many sectors, which have their similarities as well as differences. While there are tolerances in other fields of activity, there can be none in the railways. Traffic safety - both passenger and freight - forces you to do things almost perfectly; I say almost because perfection does not exist, no matter how hard one tries. This is why, to be able to practise perfection, you must like your job as a railwayman.
R.J.: What must a station chief do?
M.S.: Often, I have heard people say: “The station chief sits in his office and watches the employees…” If it was that easy, probably everyone would want to become a station chief…
    First, they must know a little from each sector of the railways; various problems can come up for which you need to find the right solution immediately. Often I have encountered problems with lines, installations, traction, carriages, etc., which I had to solve. The knowledge accumulated over the years has helped me handle every time. I am not saying it has been easy, but I enjoyed what I did. Even today, after 29 years in the railways, I come to work with the same pleasure.
R.J.: Was family tradition or passion the reason why you chose this profession?
M.S.: Certainly, it was passion. No-one in the family was a railway worker. When I graduated high school, I enlisted with the Traffic School, and after graduation I joined the CFR. My parents did not agree with my choice, but they could not change my mind. I liked trains since my early days. Although my father said it was a job that involved risks and sacrifices, he could not make me quit. My passion for trains was too big.
R.J.: What was your “route” in all these years?
M.S.: I started as a traffic inspector in the station, then in the passenger section. After almost two years, I was promoted to local and ordering traffic inspector, a job I held for a longer period of time. For several years, I also was a station instructor, and since 1985, a station chief. I interrupted activity at the Videle station for four years (1990-1994), but in 1994 I returned as station chief. Of the 29 years of work, 25 were in Videle. I cannot say it has been easy, but my co-workers helped me a lot. I want to point out that the results are not solely mine. They reflect the efforts and work put in by us all. I have always regarded the people I have worked for as colleagues, not subordinates. We shared have the joys and the troubles.
R.J.: Was it hard to persuade your co-workers that good results only appear when one puts his ambition aside?
M.S.: Personally, I have given up a lot of things and I have always been by their side. To ask them to do something, I first had to prove that I expect the same of myself, and second, that only working together we would obtain good results. It has been difficult at the beginning but, but not for long. All I asked for was correctness and discipline in the work!
R.J.: On the verge of retirement, everyone recalls beautiful or less beautiful memories from this job. What was the biggest joy your job has offered to you?
M.S.: The most beautiful thing I remember was when my superior told me I had been promoted to ordering traffic inspector. I realised then that I was appreciated and trustworthy. It was a difficult job that required coordination of the entire traffic and manoeuvring activity in the Videle station. Probably, there have been better moments, but I will not forget this one. When I retire, I will certainly have time to remember all the beautiful moments.

Oana Bran