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Possible short time solution of shortage of Amtrak engineers and conductors.

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  • Member since
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  • From: US
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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 9:13 PM

zugmann
 
Ulrich

I look at the kids around me and the young people I encounter in my daily routine.. the future is in good hands.  

Yep.  I think that  older/past generations sometimes have a hard time dealing with the fact they are are not always as relevant as they once were.  Life (and in this example railroads) will continue to progress and move on without them.

And I speak as someone that's closer to the top of the roster than the bottom.  

When I hired out in 1965 - railroads were still using the Timetable & Train Orders method of operation on much of the network.  With all the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Class schedules, Wait Orders for scheduled trains, Run Late Orders for scheduled trains, Right Over Orders, Run Ahead Orders and any number of other train order 'tools' to operate a single track railroad with and without automatic block signals - for a individual to come from the 'Outside World' and be able to comprehend what was actually taking place - AND WHY.  A large educational task for a 'newbie'.  Not to mention MofW performing their on track tasks under 'Track Car Line Ups'.  A wild and dangerous form of operation.

With the bulk of new Operating Department employees coming from outside the industry - the effort to school them on the 'Old Ways' would be monumental with, in reality, a limited chance of being sufficiently successful.

The change to Direct Traffic Control and Track Warrent Control at the end of the 1980's and on to today - greatly simplified the concepts of running the railroad in ways that make somewhat logical sense to those entering the industry.

Making things simpler and still maintaing checks and balances to insure safe operations is what the whole game is about.

When I retired I was #1 on the System Roster.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by 243129 on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 9:36 PM

BaltACD

 

 
zugmann
 
Ulrich

I look at the kids around me and the young people I encounter in my daily routine.. the future is in good hands.  

Yep.  I think that  older/past generations sometimes have a hard time dealing with the fact they are are not always as relevant as they once were.  Life (and in this example railroads) will continue to progress and move on without them.

And I speak as someone that's closer to the top of the roster than the bottom.  

 

When I hired out in 1965 - railroads were still using the Timetable & Train Orders method of operation on much of the network.  

 

"No such celebration when I was attending Kent State from 1967-70.  The EL was a active main line railroad at the time."

Surprise

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Thursday, December 30, 2021 6:39 PM

BaltACD
When I retired I was #1 on the System Roster.

With all the "Rights and PRIVILAGES" attendent thereunto.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, December 30, 2021 8:01 PM

Electroliner 1935
BaltACD
When I retired I was #1 on the System Roster. 

With all the "Rights and PRIVILAGES" attendent thereunto.

My final two years were a personality battle.  When you work for money and not prrestige you win the battle by what goes into your paycheck.  I wouldn't waste spit on that 'boss's' grave.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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