CN locomotive engineer and conductor Barbara-Jean Leonard [BA'90] took an unconventional route to where she is today. But for her being unconventional is nothing new.

During her years at York, Leonard majored in psychology and had aspirations of helping those with physical and mental disabilities. She always thought her career path would one day lead her to a rehabilitation centre or a classroom. She never thought that it would lead her to the railway instead. She found a job at CN rail shortly after graduation, and expected her stay to be a temporary one. "At the time, it was purely for the money," says Leonard.

Working her way through CN's ranks, she served on freight, passenger and commuter trains. Sixty-hour weeks were common."At first it was difficult. A lot of guys had difficulty with me being a woman," says Leonard, who was one of a handful of women on the railway crew.

While the pay is good, the downside is Leonard can be away from home for days at a time. But she doesn't mind and, depending on how ambitious she is, she can earn anywhere from $50-$100,000 per year, she says. Luckily, her husband is understanding. No surprise - he's a conductor. Because they sometimes spend days apart, Leonard and her husband often resort to communicating via radio.

The couple is expecting their first child June 18, one day before Leonard's 37th birthday. With a baby on the way, is she thinking of taking time off? "Not really," she says."I'd go nuts if I stayed at home."

Photo: Susan King

Next Story