Andrew Higgins brings mechanical experience and an educator’s mindset to the role of car department trainer.

Higgins joined the Belt in 2018 as a carman after Car Foreman Drew Rusch encouraged him to apply. He quickly found the workplace to be a good fit.

Prior to railroading, Higgins attended Aurora University, where he studied to become a high school math teacher.

“I always thought that I was going to grow up to be a teacher. It’s the path I set myself on,” he said.

While his career took a different route, that passion never faded, and he’s happy to incorporate teaching into his railroading career. He credits various mentors for shaping his approach to training, noting a few individuals often described an issue and challenged him to find and fix it. By doing the work, he said it made the lesson stick.

Higgins, who was promoted to car foreman in 2024, assumed his current role in November 2025. He enjoys interacting with employees and showing them opportunities to improve.

Higgins says he tries to tailor instructions to meet each trainee’s needs and takes satisfaction in helping them advance their skills and grow in confidence. Safety is central to that approach.

“It’s absolutely paramount,” Higgins said. “A huge part of my job is to ensure people have the right tools and knowledge to safely do their work.”

Higgins said he’s grateful for Chief Mechanical Officer Pat McCarron’s trust in his abilities. He’ll also lead two apprentice trainers as part of the Belt’s ongoing investment in developing skilled, safety-focused Mechanical employees.

McCarron has high praise for Higgins, describing him as passionate, goal-oriented and driven.

“These qualities are precisely why we appointed Andrew to this role,” McCarron said. “We’re confident that these attributes will lead to a safer, more efficient year for the Mechanical Department.”