Faculty Bios

Onan, Thomas

Thomas Onan is a railroad conductor technology instructor. He began teaching at DCTC in October of 2005.

Thomas has 42 years of railroad experience, including seven years at the Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive engineer training center and six years as a CPR line manager,

He worked as a locomotive engineer, an instructor at the CPR engineer training center and a CPR road foreman of engines.

His career accomplishments include:

  • locomotive engineer training specialist
  • membership in the International Association of Operating Officers
  • past membership in the Association of Railroad Superintendents
  • designated supervisor of locomotive engineers
  • General Code of Operating Rules instructor.
  • diesel and steam locomotive engineer
  • crew member on steam engine Milwaukee 261 and Canadian Pacific 2816
  • coordination of U.S. steam operation for Canadian Pacific Railway during Grand Excursion

Regarding his teaching philosophy, Thomas believes in patience and his ability to pass on knowledge gained from 42 years of railway experience.

As for the best part of his job as a DCTC instructor, he points to "bringing a student from little knowledge of the subject to a position where a railroad will want to hire him or her."

Thomas' hobbies and interests include golf, planting flowers and motorcycles.

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