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F Tower to possibly close

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F Tower to possibly close
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, February 2, 2015 5:07 PM

According to the Toledo Blade Csx is looking at a plan to close "F" tower in Fostoria.The tower controls movement of trains on CSX's former C&O and B&O lines.It also grants permission for NS on it's former NKP line.The junction would be controlled from the Indianapolis dispatch center.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Monday, February 2, 2015 8:45 PM

Basically, the CSX can save the $ of six individuals. And asign their work to the existing (presumably underworked) dispatchers in Indianapolis. Then they can increase the dividends to the vultures on Wall St. So the heads of the coporation can keep their jobs. 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 9:02 AM

Electroliner 1935

Basically, the CSX can save the $ of six individuals. And asign their work to the existing (presumably underworked) dispatchers in Indianapolis. Then they can increase the dividends to the vultures on Wall St. So the heads of the coporation can keep their jobs. 

The last time I looked, CSX was in business to bring the highest possible return to the bottom line, not provide our entertainment.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 5:50 PM

With PTC coming (some decade) and automated dispatching software (don't know if CSX uses that cra.., err, software yet), it should be no surprise that any local control of mainline is going away. 

 

Not like they will save massive manpower costs, as I'm sure those guys will exercise seniority elsewhere. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by cacole on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 6:31 PM

Manned control towers are going the way of the dodo -- very few remain active any more as automated signalling and dispatch centers take over.

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 7:03 PM

Will this be a long term investment.  News wire commet said that "F" was once tried before to be closed.  Since the full electronics will be quite complicated how much will it cost?

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 7:51 PM

Given that CSX is already using satellite for the North Baltimore intermodal facility environs (used to be on ATCS, which the rest of the lines in the area still are), I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them take that route at Fostoria.

Fans watching traffic on ATCS at Deshler now see a 'black hole' at North Baltimore.

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Posted by dakotafred on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 8:15 PM

zugmann

 Not like they will save massive manpower costs, as I'm sure those guys will exercise seniority elsewhere. 

 
Sure, Zug, but then the company won't be paying the guys they bump (or the guys the bumped guys bump). Other things being equal, elimination of jobs is money saved, period.
 
Losing jobs to automation is regretable in its way, but at least understandable because inevitable. What I hate is jobs given away to other countries through the "free trade" agreements that always seem to work to our disadvantage. (There are two more of these bargains pending now.)
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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 10:13 PM

blue streak 1

Will this be a long term investment.  News wire commet said that "F" was once tried before to be closed.  Since the full electronics will be quite complicated how much will it cost?

 

The last upgrade to F Tower made it's model board and display's visible to the affected CSX Dispatchers.  I suspect, but don't know, that a very simple software change is all that is required to transfer control of signals to the dispatcher. 

Lining signals is easy - knowing when not to line signals it more difficult and handling communications with the adjoining dispatchers will increase the work load of the controlling dispatcher.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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