Coaster selling 2 Chargers

[blue streak 1]

This sale is puzzzling.  Will leave speculation to others.

Coaster train fleet downsizing after transportation funding fizzles - The San Diego Union-Tribune (sandiegouniontribune.com)

[Overmod]

See, I don't have a problem with either half of this.

They acquired the extra trainset and locomotives to get the capacity for 42 trains a day.

They're not going to get the money to run anything like 42 trains a day, in part because the locals refuse to fund it at necessary levels -- here, because 'nothing comes free', through the expedient of a few points on the sales-tax rate.

Since they have millions tied up in the acquisition of two of the locomotives, which are not now needed since operations for them won't 'eventuate', they are sensibly trying to peddle them to someone who needs them... at the full nominal price paid to order them.

Note that because the locomotives were bought using grant money, there are restrictions on what can be done with that particular revenue, which are stated or hinted at in the article.  The immediate thing I'd consider is some wayside and running hybridization of the type RPS has developed.

[D.Carleton]

Please note that something similar happened with Utah and some surplus MP36s a few years back.

[azrail]

More people working at home means fewer commuters means fewer trains needed.

[Gramp]

azrail

More people working at home means fewer commuters means fewer trains needed.

 

Yeah, a sea change.  I've got a nephew who's a software developer for Bloomberg.  For years a five day a week rail commuter into Manhattan.  Seldom travels in now.  Remote from home in the burbs.  Talked with another developer last weekend at a wedding reception.  Works for Primerica in Twin Cities.  Only commutes to office when he absolutely has to. 

[MidlandMike]

A recent study showed remote workers working about 2 hours less per day.  These are the sort of examples that skeptical management uses to require workers to return to the office.

[Overmod]

MidlandMike

A recent study showed remote workers working about 2 hours less per day.

Are they getting a comparable amount of work done -- are they getting the required or expected work done?

Is the quality of the work better or worse than before?

Is availability or willingness for extra or emergency assignment better or worse?

I would think that allowances for all the various reasons people 'call out' would be lower if "working from home".

And does the "10 hours less per week" translate into payroll savings?

[BaltACD]

Overmod

...

And does the "10 hours less per week" translate into payroll savings?

Hard to enforce any 'payroll savings' when the remote worker isn't under direct supervision.

[D.Carleton]

Overmod

 

MidlandMike

A recent study showed remote workers working about 2 hours less per day.

And does the "10 hours less per week" translate into payroll savings?

Yes...during pay raise negotiations.

[blue streak 1]

Lets play what if?  Coaster loco is totaled hitting big truck?

[zugmann]

blue streak 1

Lets play what if?  Coaster loco is totaled hitting big truck?

 

I'm guessing they have enough power to cover without having these.  

Do you have a brand new car sitting in your garage in case yours gets wrecked? 

[Overmod]

blue streak 1

Let's play what if?  Coaster loco is totaled hitting big truck?

Aside from likely having power to cover -- or reducing schedule frequency temporarily -- or temporarily leasing a replacement (which is somewhat unlikely given Californazi emissions oversight):

Insurance company pays for replacement; if they slow-pay, they have deep pockets.  Unit will be constructed 'timely' as it's fully paid-for in advance.