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Railroad Operations and Safety Training

Safe railroad operations and safety training delivered by a team of expert trainers with a combined 637+ years of experience. 

With a combined 637+ years of railroad expertise, Rail Safe trainers bring an unmatched depth of knowledge to the industry. Most of our trainers have 35+ years of hands-on experience EACH across key roles, including locomotive engineers, switchmen, yardmasters, track inspectors, track repair specialists, track designers, and supervisors. Beyond their extensive fieldwork, they have delivered targeted classroom and practical instruction, offering expert-level proficiency in FRA rules and regulations.

Charles Leonard

Founder and Principal
52 Years Railroad Experience

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Ken Hay

Principal and Senior Training Specialist
53 Years Railroad Experience

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Andrew Johnstone

Rail Training Specialist
13 Years Railroad Experience

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Russell York

Director of Program Development
48 Years Railroad Experience

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Erica Breiterman

Director Business Development
32 Years Railroad Experience

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Joe Dugary

Rail Transportation Advisor
26 Years Railroad Experience

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Barbara Anderson

Rail Training Specialist
40 Years Railroad Experience

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Mike Magazin

Rail Training Specialist
49 Years Railroad Experience

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George Baker

Operational Efficiency Specialist
30 Years Experience

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Dennis Mustoe

Rail Training Specialist
52 Years Railroad Experience

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Gary Cousin

Rail Training Specialist
30 Years Railroad Experience

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Ken Lambert

Rail Training Specialist
49 Years Railroad Experience

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Pat Jilek

Rail Training Specialist
21 Years Railroad Experience

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Lanny Dyvig

Rail Training Specialist
49 Years Railroad Experience

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Julio Dioses

Rail Training Specialist
30 Years Railroad Experience

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Chuck Leonard began his career in the spring of 1973 as a track laborer with the Burlington Northern Railroad while attending the University of Illinois and then the University of Iowa. In the fall of 1976, he was promoted to a BN switchman/brakeman position and subsequent promotion into the BN locomotive engineer school where he was graduated to a locomotive engineer in May of 1978.

From 1978 until retirement in January 2015 Chuck worked as locomotive engineer in passenger service (Amtrak), switch engine service, local freight service, mixed freight service, heavy freight service (coal, grain, taconite, etc.), work train, and snow plow service. During his years of service, Chuck trained and supervised dozens of student locomotive engineers.

His success in providing effective safety training that supported near zero incidence occurrences enabled him to identify opportunities to improve safety during visits to other rail operations site. Charles then founded Rail Safe to provide the safe operating practices and procedures developed by Class 1 railroads to private industry.

Ken Hay began his career with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad (acquired by the Union Pacific in 1994) in 1972. As a trainman, his jobs included brakeman, conductor, switchman, and yardmaster. In 1997 he was promoted to Manager of Yard Operations and became the Manager of Terminal Operations (MTO) in 2002 until his retirement in 2009. As an MTO, he was responsible for supervising his territory while managing 25 rail-served industries along with the safe and efficient movement of train and yard movements. He was a leader of several safety teams, including derailment assessment, root causation incident reenactment, and public education of railroad crossing safety.

Andrew began his railroad career in 2012, working for BNSF Railway out of Sioux City, IA. He performed work as a brakeman, switchman, and conductor before being promoted to locomotive engineer in 2014.  During his time with the railroad, he operated trains from the plains of the Midwest to the mountains of Oregon and California. While with BNSF, Andrew was a co-chair of the site safety committee.  He was responsible for performing terminal and subdivision physical plant risk assessments, along with monthly safety briefings for crews within his home terminal. Andrew brings 9 years of railroad experience to Rail Safe Training.

Russell is a second-generation railroader, who began his career with the Southern Pacific, in 1977. He started as a switchman then became a yardmaster while in El Paso, TX. In 1992 he was promoted to Corridor Manager and on to Superintendent of Transportation Services in Denver, CO.  After the merger with the Union Pacific, Russell worked in Omaha, NE as Director of Train Management and finished his 42 year career in Portland Oregon.  While working for the Union Pacific Russell attained an MBA, and worked part time as an adjunct professor, at Bellevue University.

While working at the Union Pacific, Russell also led a successful safety program, for a 5-state region, at the Harriman Dispatching Center. 

Erica Breiterman began her career in Marketing at Burlington Northern Railroad after acquiring her BS in Logistics from Penn State.  With an MBA from Southern Methodist, Erica moved on to food and agricultural product Sales and Product Management for Conrail, before becoming a shipper.  Through multiple spin offs, mergers and acquisitions, she was able to collect experience in warehousing, bulk distribution, operations management, procurement, transportation and customer service for variety of agriculture, chemical, medical and industrial products companies before returning to railroad sales for CSX and CP, where she managed customers in intermodal, refining, petroleum, paper, mining, and consumer products.  Before joining Rail Safe Training, Erica lead AdvanSix’s Global Logistics team of operations and procurement managers for all modes of transportation delivering year over year productivity savings while improving efficiency and safety. 

Joe is an experienced rail transportation professional with over 40 years working in various management positions at a Class 1 railroad. For 20 years, he held a leadership position where he trained hundreds of railroad employees on safety awareness and best practices. With safety as the number one priority, he supported corporate goals in becoming the safest Class 1 Railroad in North America.  His areas of expertise include: rail transportation, rail operations, supply chain management, problem resolution and safety training.   

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Rowan University and has been married for over 30 years with 2 children and two grandchildren. His hobbies include golfing, fishing, boating and physical fitness. 

Barb Anderson began her 40-year career in freight with Burlington Northern and passenger service with AMTRAK as a brakeman, switchman, and conductor. In 1983, she was promoted to train dispatcher, relief chief dispatcher, and train master. Promoted again in 1997, she was worked as a terminal train master in Sioux City, IA and as Terminal Manager in Memphis, TN and Springfield, MO, for a regional railroad, IAIS, as a Manager of Operating Practices, and as a private contractor doing computer-based training for Union Pacific. In all disciplines, Barb was active on safety committees and promoted a safer work environment.

In 2006, Barb started working for the Federal Railroad Administration as an Operating Practices Safety Inspector. Her primary duties included hands on inspections of Class I, Regional, and Short Line Railroads for compliance with Federal Railroad Regulations. As an inspector, Barb received the Superior Achievement Award and Inspector of the Year Award for Region 6. In 2012, she was promoted to Chief Inspector in Council Bluffs, IA where she focused on short line inspections, drug and alcohol compliance enforcement, and accident investigations until her retirement in December of 2015.

Mike started his career in 1976 with the Western Pacific Railroad and served 43 years in the rail industry as a Track Laborer, Switchman, Engineer, Trainmaster for companies such as Union Pacific Railroad,  Amtrak, and the FRA. In 2000 he joined the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) working as a Rail Safety Inspector and in 2005 he took a position as an Operating Practices Inspector for the Federal Railroad Administration. He also worked with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority as a Manager of Operating Rules, Herzog Technologies, Inc. (HTI) as PTC-Specialist Rules and Compliance, and Transit AmericaServices, Inc. (TASI) as Deputy General Manager, Safety & Training at Coaster, and supported their start-up Commuter Rail Services in Connecticut as Manager Safety, Training and Compliance. In 2019, he retired from the Pacific Harbor Line at The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA.

George Baker is a seasoned executive coach and public safety professional with over 30 years of leadership experience in municipal fire services, emergency healthcare, and disaster management, including two decades as a Fire Chief. He brings a unique perspective to rail safety through his expertise in team performance, risk management, and operational leadership. As a Professional Certified Coach and longtime advocate for safety and regulatory excellence, George has led initiatives at local, state, and national levels. His collaborative, results-focused approach is grounded in real-world experience, making him a valued advisor in high-stakes, high-reliability environments.

Dennis Mustoe began his railroad career working with Burlington Northern Maintenance of Way Crews in the floods on the Mississippi River in 1973, as a college intern. His career path transitioned through a MOW machine operator, Agent Operator, Train Dispatcher Trainee, Brakeman, and ultimately Locomotive Engineer. Promoted to a Trainmaster/Road foreman of Engines in 1988, he continued to positions of increasing responsibility with Burlington Northern and ultimately the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as Division Trainmaster/Road foreman, Terminal Trainmaster, Service Manager for the Consumer Products Business Unit, Manager intermodal Operations, Superintendent of Operations, Terminal Superintendent and again as Superintendent of Operations upon retirement in 2010.

Upon his retirement, he started a new chapter with Herzog Transit Services as Deputy General Manager in commuter rail and promoted to General Manager in 2014. Leading the organization for two plus years, he retired again in late 2016. He, like many others at Rail Safe, was a part of a Division Safety Committee early in his career. This was embedded in him throughout as he ended his 42-year career injury free, discipline free and most important to him, no railroad employee was fatally injured under his watch.

Gary hired out in 1995 with the Southern Pacific Railroad in Roseville CA as a switchman. After the merger with the Union Pacific Railroad expanded with opportunities as a Brakeman/Conductor and his responsibilities were the safe spotting, pulling freight cars in a timely manner with general industry, automobile shipments to distribution hubs and oil, chemical refinery assignments. He was promoted to locomotive engineer where he focused on the operation and safe handling of trains and qualified over nine different subdivisions with extremely different and very challenging territories. 


He served as the Manager of Yard Operations and Manager of Train Operations with 380 miles of territory over five subdivisions, with various daily tasks including working with yardmasters and their crews for the timely departures and arrivals of trains. Forecasting train capacity, tonnage, locomotive availability and fuel. The greatest opportunity was shifting at a moment’s notice to customer inquiry, storms, or derailments. Preparing daily operational reports for senior staff. Working with company public relations. He achieved a consistent low operating ratio, below system average on personal injuries, and no fatalities. 
  • Achieved quarterly fuel conservation awards.
  • Peer supporter for company employees that were involved in critical incidents.
  • Volunteered as a presenter with Operation Lifesaver,
  • Worked with high school driver education, professional drivers, and trucking companies. 
His personal mission statement is to leave each day better than when he arrived.

Ken Lambert possesses a distinguished career spanning over four decades in the railroad industry. A graduate of California State University Chico, Mr. Lambert’s journey began in 1975 when he ventured to Alaska amidst the construction of the iconic Alaska pipeline. His tenure with the Alaska Railroad as a brakeman/switchman was marked by the critical role he played in transporting equipment essential for the pipeline’s construction.

In 1977, Ken’s expertise was recognized by the Southern Pacific Railroad, where he embarked on a career, culminating in his promotion to Locomotive Engineer in 1984, based in Tucson, Arizona. A strategic transfer in 1989 brought him to Roseville, California, where he honed his skills in various operational facets, including heavy grade territory, local operations, work train management, and yard switching.

With Union Pacific Railroad’s acquisition in 1996, Ken’s commitment continued in his role as an Engineer until his retirement in 2018. His tenure is notably marked by an impeccable safety record, with no violations or injuries, underscoring his dedication to operational safety and the well-being of his colleagues.

Post-retirement, Ken’s passion for the rail industry and its safety led him to Rail Safe Training. His belief in the paramount importance of safety is not only a personal conviction but also a professional mission to impart invaluable lessons from his extensive experience to enhance industry standards.

Pat embarked on his journey in the railroad industry in 2003 with BNSF Railways in Dilworth, Minnesota. Over the span of his career, he fulfilled various roles including switchman, brakeman, and conductor. His dedication extended beyond operational duties as he assumed leadership of Dilworth’s Site Safety team and later ascended to the role of Safety Leader for the Twin Cities Division. Notably, Pat contributed significantly to the development and execution of peer-to-peer initiatives addressing critical issues such as drug and alcohol awareness, grade crossing accidents, suicide prevention, and fostering mental health awareness within the industry. In 2021 he was named BNSF Safety Employee of the Year.

In 2022, after 19 years of service, Pat retired from BNSF, bringing with him a wealth of railroad safety expertise. His proficiency is underscored by numerous safety certifications from OSHA and specialized training in Hazmat protocols.

Lanny Dyvig began his career with the Burlington Northern Railroad in the spring of 1976 in the Maintenance of Way department at Laurel, Mt. Over the next 7 years, he worked as a laborer, machine operator, track inspector, assistance foreman, and foreman. In October of 1983, Lanny was promoted to Assistant Roadmaster, then over the next 36 years, held positions with increased responsibility as Division Roadmaster, Division Trainmaster, Terminal Trainmaster, Manager Maintenance Planning & Scheduling, Superintendent of Maintenance Schedules, Manager of Merchandise Operations, Manager of Merchandise Service Performance, and Senior Manager of Service Design & Performance. Each of these positons were responsible for supervising a specific territory as well as being part of a team that managed the safe and efficient movement of train and yard movements. Each position included continual review and development of improved safety and operational plans as well as direct involvement in training, mentoring, and discipline.

During his career, Lanny attended training courses for safety, rules, operations processes, track defects, derailment assessment/investigation, incident reenactment, employee investigation, human resource processes, drug & alcohol awareness, and multiple software products. He also took college classes in Industrial Safety as well as attained an Emergency Medical Technician License subsequently serving his community as a volunteer EMT and Fireman. Lanny was a certified trainer for Operation Lifesaver and worked to educate the public on railroad crossing safety while also participating on multiple Safety teams mentoring new managers and union employees.

Lanny finished his career in Service Design, working to develop train plans that not only expedited customer commodities but also reduced hazardous exposure to employees handling these goods. During his last couple years, he worked as a subject matter expert with the technology team in an effort to develop new software that assisted in developing improved and safe operational plans. Lanny retired from BNSF Railway March 1, 2019 with 43 years of railroad experience.

After serving in the US Army, Julio Dioses began his railroad career in 1992 as a block operator with Conrail. His dedication and expertise led to promotions, including Train Dispatcher and Assistant Chief Dispatcher. Following the merger of CSX, NS, and Conrail, he was elevated to the role of Manager B&O Chicago Terminal (BOCT) in Calumet City, IL. He then assumed the responsibilities of Director of Train Operations in Selkirk, NY.

WIth 18 years of experience in the Control Center, Julio was promoted to Trainmaster and eventually became the Manager of Train Operations in the North Jersey area. He retired in 2022, having successfully led his team to over five years without injuries. Throughout his career, Julio conducted and led numerous risk assessment and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules classes, fostering a culture of safety within the organization. He was actively engaged with customers and played a pivotal role on a safety team that helped railroad customers reduce incidents on their properties.

Julio firmly believes that safety is a mindset that must be embraced 24/7.