Trains.com

I feel Sorry for BNSF

8152 views
50 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2010
  • 64 posts
Posted by Diggwadd on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 6:42 PM

I have talked to a few crewman from the IC&E and they tell me that after CP took over that all of  the good units disappeared.  What they got in return was -2s from CP that were in poor shape. These days I see them  lead with leasers and the crews are happy with them.

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 5:49 PM

Ulrich

CP seems to have a method to their madness...all trains around here lately are pulled by a GE AC4400CW or the newer ES and a leased SD40-2... Looks to be a very efficient operation...at least around here...

Around here in Chicago, Trains are either pulled by:

 

CP/CEFX GE AC4400CW, ES44AC

SOO SD45, SD60, SD60M and CP SD40-2 

or CP SD40-2, CITX, NREX SD40-2

and there's the IC&E Trains always pulled by a combo of ICE/DME, CP, and/ or leasors (These trains rarely have EMD Power)

Sometimes I do see CP GE mixed with CP GM Power. There are also some NS units running on the C&M Sub

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Guelph, Ontario
  • 4,819 posts
Posted by Ulrich on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 9:57 AM

CP seems to have a method to their madness...all trains around here lately are pulled by a GE AC4400CW or the newer ES and a leased SD40-2... Looks to be a very efficient operation...at least around here...

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Duluth,Minnesota,USA
  • 4,015 posts
Posted by coborn35 on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 12:32 AM

Ha ha CP saving money?

Mechanical Department  "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."

The Missabe Road: Safety First

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Vicksburg, Michigan
  • 2,303 posts
Posted by Andrew Falconer on Monday, June 27, 2011 11:24 PM

The Canadian Pacific saves money these days by buying all new GE Locomotives and used GM-EMD locomotives.

Andrew

Andrew

Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: Georgia
  • 285 posts
Posted by Georgia Railroader on Monday, June 27, 2011 8:01 PM

Mr. Railman

I think i've just confused all railfans that use the Trains Forum.

Fixed.

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: Georgia
  • 285 posts
Posted by Georgia Railroader on Monday, June 27, 2011 7:58 PM

Mr. Railman

 Georgia Railroader:

 

 Mr. Railman:

 

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

 

 

Go outside, get some air and chill out. Class 1railroads aren't in the business to break even, and they dont care about railbuffs or their opinions. You want to run a shortline rr huh? You are in waaaaay over your head.

 

...or sell train DVDs

Ooooooohhhh kay...........................that one came out of left field, but yea, I guess you could do that if you want, good luck with it.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:52 PM

I think i've just alienated all railfans that use the Trains Forum.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:49 PM

Georgia Railroader

 

 Mr. Railman:

 

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

 

 

Go outside, get some air and chill out. Class 1railroads aren't in the business to break even, and they dont care about railbuffs or their opinions. You want to run a shortline rr huh? You are in waaaaay over your head.

...or sell train DVDs

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:42 PM

not really. Google is taking over the internet.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:37 PM

didn't mean to write hoe, and Wal mart sucks. like I said before, I dislike big busineses like Wal-Mart. Naturally there are exceptions, like Culvers. 

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Richmond, VA
  • 200 posts
Posted by penncentral2002 on Monday, June 27, 2011 5:21 PM

Mr. Railman

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

I don't think that God would appreciate being called a "hoe" - you may well want to watch for sudden lightening bolts.

But, as someone who suffered through the summer following my freshman year of college working as a cashier for Wal-Mart, I pretty much have come to the conclusion that Wal-Mart doesn't like you either. 

Zack http://penncentral2002.rrpicturearchives.net/
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Monday, June 27, 2011 2:21 PM

schlimm

Although I'm sorry to hear of your experience, that is the sort of true life information that gives us outsiders a realistic picture of the railroads we follow, as opposed to the usual generalities and candy-coated anecdotes published in Trains.

What really sucked about the whole things was that I have been a train fan since I was able to walk (according to my parents). My dream job as I grew up was to work for a railroad. When I actually got hired, I was tremendously happy.  And when payday came around, I was shocked that they would actually pay me to 'play' with trains!

Even now, 18 years later, at times wish I was back running trains. It was (and still is) for me the coolest job in the world. When I am trackside and see a high-powered train come tearing past me at 60mph, I still (albiet vicariously) get the thrill. It is quite a rush to be at the controls of 18K tons going 50+mph, blasting through towns with the whistle screaming.

But then I remember the negatives of my railroad days.  That train I just saw at 10am was already 150 miles from it's terminal. They have already been on duty for 7 hours, which means they got called around 1am for a 3am on-duty time, and they will not tie up until around 3pm at some dump of a motel that's main claim to fame is the quality of hookers that hang around, and that nobody has gotten food poisioning there so far this month.

But I still like trains!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Monday, June 27, 2011 8:56 AM

Although I'm sorry to hear of your experience, that is the sort of true life information that gives us outsiders a realistic picture of the railroads we follow, as opposed to the usual generalities and candy-coated anecdotes published in Trains.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Monday, June 27, 2011 8:47 AM

Mr. Railman

Actually from what people have told me and from research.......They also treated their equipment and employees with respect. When was the last time you saw an "Employee Owned" Railroad? . 

May I respectfully submit that your research is in error.

I worked for the CNW for 20 years (1973-1993), and I saw no evidence of any respect. Indeed, the reason I left the railroad was that due to the horrendous hours the railroad expected one to devote to working: no life other than work, going out on your hours of rest every time you are at your home terminal (although they happily let us sit at some dank motel for as many hours as they could before having to pay penalty time). My family life was deteriorating rapidly, so I asked for a leave of absense to straighten things out; I was flat-out denied. I took the time off anyway; they called my bluff and promptly fired me for "Insubordination: refusing to be available for call". So much for respect!

And regarding the "Employee Owned" concept, the only "employees" that owned the railroad were the officials and a priviledged few that had the inside scoop on how the stock was going to play out. Many of them became quite wealthy, as they knew what the plan was and raised as much capital as possible for the original stock purchase. Soon after the original offering, the stock split 60-to-1. So for every dollar the privilidged ones invested, they made 60 in return. Of course, no one let the actual workers know what was going to happen.

The operating equipment and track was in deplorable shape. Slow orders were everywhere. Locomotives were kept going with bubblegum and wire and rubber bands. Supplies (paper towels, clean water bottles, etc) were practically non-existent.

The suburban equipment wasn't much better. The inside of the engine room on the F7s and E8s were covered in oil from floor to ceiling. Walking past the Cummins motor (used for HEP) turned the color of whatever you were wearing into a nice shade of oil. And i couldn't possible remember how many trips into Chicago I made (as a fireman) riding in the locomotive jury-rigging things just to get over the road (using a flagpole to hold in relays or contactors; holding up the Amphenol cable just right so it made correct contact for the required engine speeds; etc).

Perhaps you can add this information to your research.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Guelph, Ontario
  • 4,819 posts
Posted by Ulrich on Monday, June 27, 2011 7:23 AM

Yes...FOAMER...its a bad thing to be interested in anything other than beer, naked women, and football.

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: Georgia
  • 285 posts
Posted by Georgia Railroader on Monday, June 27, 2011 3:16 AM

Mr. Railman

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

Go outside, get some air and chill out. Class 1railroads aren't in the business to break even, and they dont care about railbuffs or their opinions. You want to run a shortline rr huh? You are in waaaaay over your head.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: MA
  • 562 posts
Posted by dmoore74 on Sunday, June 26, 2011 8:34 PM

schlimm

 Mr. Railman:

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

 

I think you might be wise to check out some of your information and tone down your emotional manner of expression.

You might also check your spelling occasionally.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Sunday, June 26, 2011 8:12 PM

Mr. Railman

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

I think you might be wise to tone down your emotional manner of expression.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 26, 2011 7:35 PM

Mr. Railman

 I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National

What about Google?  I'll bet you just love them.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Sunday, June 26, 2011 7:02 PM

Mr. Railman

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

 

...

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


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Sunday, June 26, 2011 6:55 PM

Yeah. the BNSF is made up of two great railroads (actually five if you're thinking before BN) I just hate big corporations in general, like Wal Mart and Canadian National (GOD HOE I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL)

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Sunday, June 26, 2011 6:51 PM

zardoz

 

 schlimm:

 

 

 zardoz:

 

 Mr. Railman:

 

I want to run a shortline railroad on the belief of providing cheap, clean, and efficient transportation....like the.....CNW.

 

LaughLaughLaugh The CNW?!?! FOFLMAO

 

 

Sorry...I couldn't help myself.

 

 

I wondered too, exactly which C&NW Mr. Railman was remembering, or more likely, fantasizing?  I remain a fan of the North Western, but Cheap & Nothing Wasted was but one of the standard jokes.

 

Back in "my day", we referred to the it as the Cheap & Nothing Works.

 

Actually from what people have told me and from research, the CNW made a profit from passenger transportation and was the last to fold Chicago commuter trnsport into the RTA!  They also treated their equipment and employees with respect. When was the last time you saw an "Employee Owned" Railroad? and lastly, the CNW (and the Staggers Act) was part of the reason he DM&E came to be. before CP took over. 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, June 26, 2011 4:56 PM

CNW? Isn't that the Carolina & North Western, from Chester, S. C., to Lenoir, N. C.?Smile

Johnny

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:54 PM

Hey, DaveK, don't be so hard on "you know who's" ice cream!  At least no dolphins die to make the stuff!

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:12 PM

 

schlimm

 zardoz:

 

 Mr. Railman:

 

I want to run a shortline railroad on the belief of providing cheap, clean, and efficient transportation....like the.....CNW.

 

LaughLaughLaugh The CNW?!?! FOFLMAO

 

 

Sorry...I couldn't help myself.

 

I wondered too, exactly which C&NW Mr. Railman was remembering, or more likely, fantasizing?  I remain a fan of the North Western, but Cheap & Nothing Wasted was but one of the standard jokes.

Back in "my day", we referred to the it as the Cheap & Nothing Works.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Sunday, June 26, 2011 12:57 PM

zardoz

 

 Zwingle:

 

 

 Mr. Railman:

BNSF Trains comming from Chicago/Mnneapolis have to south through Nebraska before coming back up onto their own line in Idaho. i don't feel sorry because Class one railroads only care about moey!

 

 

First of all, it's spelled "Moai," and secondly, I seriously doubt the Class One railroads really give a rip about the stone statues on Easter Island. So just relax.

 

Moey is a Chinese surname in Mandarin dialect. It is written as 梅.

 

 

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Sunday, June 26, 2011 12:54 PM

zardoz

 

 Mr. Railman:

 

I want to run a shortline railroad on the belief of providing cheap, clean, and efficient transportation....like the.....CNW.

 

LaughLaughLaugh The CNW?!?! FOFLMAO

 

 

Sorry...I couldn't help myself.

I wondered too, exactly which C&NW?  I remain a fan of the North Western, but Cheap & Nothing Wasted was but one of the standard jokes.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Sunday, June 26, 2011 12:49 PM

Zwingle

 Mr. Railman:

BNSF Trains comming from Chicago/Mnneapolis have to south through Nebraska before coming back up onto their own line in Idaho. i don't feel sorry because Class one railroads only care about moey!

 

First of all, it's spelled "Moai," and secondly, I seriously doubt the Class One railroads really give a rip about the stone statues on Easter Island. So just relax.

 

Moey is a Chinese surname in Mandarin dialect. It is written as 梅.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy