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[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by sammythebull</i> <br /><br />In an issue of the magazine from either 2004 or early 2005, the writer made a comment on a article on remote control that the new method was perhaps the most productive upgrade since steam engs were phased out. That has to be the most stupid ,pro rr, anti rail labor statement ever printed in Trains. Get real here--all RCO has done is slowed down yard operations, increased expenses for repairing worn out brk shoes and its much, much slower than the old way. It doesn't work!!! <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />Well, I'm sure you'll be interested in hearing that one man road crews will be in the Section 6 notices this year... <br /> <br />LC <br /> <br />From Railway Age: <br /> <br />One-person crews: How much of a savings? <br /> <br />The Class I railroads served Section 6 notices in November and are in the midst of negotiations with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and United Transportation Union. Among the items on the table are one-person train crews for road operations, which, according to MorganStanley railroad analyst Jim Valentine, came into play just this week. Based upon information received from industry sources, Valentine released a report earlier today that suggests a move to one-man road crews “could save the industry over $1 billion annually, resulting in 11% to 32% higher earnings per share than 2004 levels.” <br /> <br />“While we are enthusiastic about the prospects of one-man crews, we caution investors that there are many hurdles that will need to be overcome before this becomes reality, and thus it's unrealistic for investors to expect closure on this issue any time in 2005,” Valentine said. “Even 2006 may be optimistic. Historically, railroad labor negotiations have lasted well over a year and often times can drag on for multiple years.” <br /> <br />Presumably, one of the hurdles Valentine is referring to that will have to be overcome is the technology that will make one-person crews possible. This is Positive Train Control, which the industry is currently struggling with from a feasibility and cost-effectiveness basis. One of the biggest hurdles for PTC is interoperability, among railroads and among the different, largely-proprietary systems suppliers are currently offering. Several major railroads are either deploying pilot PTC systems or considering them, and it will most likely take far longer than the current labor negotiations to develop interoperable PTC architecture that the railroads can agree upon. Cost estimates for implementing PTC on a national basis have been as high as $10 billion.
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