Trainmaster Nick Spano’s return to the Belt in February completed his 30-year loop in the industry.

“The Belt has always been a part of my life. I couldn’t be happier to finish my career here,” he said.

Spano originally joined the Belt as a summer employee and assisted on the RIP track by retrieving tools, cleaning and performing other tasks. He became a carman in May 1996.

“It’s like no other place in the city,” Spano said about the Belt, noting its lofty reputation among Chicago-area railroaders. 

Spano left the Belt in September 1997 to become a conductor with the Wisconsin Central Ltd., which merged with the Canadian National Railway in 2001. Spano remained with CN and subsequently worked as a conductor, trainmaster and intermodal supervisor.

Spano is a fourth-generation railroader with strong ties to the Belt. His great-grandfather, Bud Vanderplow, served as a railroad police officer. His grandfather, who’s also named Nick, retired as chief dispatcher, and his father, Joe, started as a clerk and later became a superintendent. His uncle, John, worked as a clerk and dispatcher.

As a trainmaster, Spano is focused on guiding the next generation of Belt employees and reinforcing safe work practices while being a positive influence.

Spano thanks his new teammates for helping him since his return and says the organization reflects a strong mix of experience and new energy. He praised the Belt’s leadership team for helping create an environment that’s conducive to success.

“It’s a great culture right now, and I’m proud to be a part,” Spano said.