How long can train crew operators work?

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, Oct 12 2004 12:41 AM

How long can train crew members operate a train is it hours, or distance. Do they do like 12 hours on 12 off or 8 on and 8 off or what. In Becker here sometimes if a train is going up to the becker power plant a bus will be waiting for the train crew and switch them. or Northtown which is in Anoka MN i will hear the train driver talk to dispatchers about meeting the BNSF bus at anoka for shift change etc. How dose that work?

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Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, Oct 12 2004 6:30 AM

I have herd 10 hours.

Posted by dehusman

on Tue, Oct 12 2004 9:01 PM

Train crews are covered by the Federal Hours of Service act.

They can only work 12 hours at a time. If they work less than 12 hours, they can be called back to duty after 8 hours rest. If they work 12 hours they have to be given 10 hours rest.

Prior to 1970 they could work 16 hours. The hours was lowered to 14 in 1970 and 12 in 1972.

Dave H.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 22 2004 3:07 AM

The hours of service law is the biggest determinant in how railroads are operated.

Nobody wants to have a HOS dead train blocking a main track, all train dispatching decisions are predicated around two things....the priority value of a 'hot' train and the HOS time for all trains that are not hot.

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 22 2004 5:16 PM

Hours of service for covered enployees (signsl maintainers, Dispatchers, Train crews) is 12hrs on 10 hrs off. Less than 12 is 8 hrs off. I was a signalmaintain 36 years fromNew Haven RR to Amtrak. As a maintainer I was also limited to no more than 12 hrs in a 24hr period

Posted by dehusman

on Fri, Oct 22 2004 5:21 PM

Actually dispatchers or control operators are limited to 9 hrs in offices where there is more than one shift of dispatchers. If there is only one shift of dispatchers or control operators when the HOS are 12 hours.

Dave H.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 22 2004 5:53 PM

you can run a train for 12 hours and when your 12 is up they try to get a relief crew to you right at that time.
you can be on duty for longer than that though!
i personally have had a lot of 14-16 hour days when i was a engineer.

Posted by Anonymous

on Sun, Oct 24 2004 12:45 PM

Once your 12 hrs are up, you cannot perform any work service . Thats the law, However, you are still 'on the clock' until you arrive at a terminal to tie up. It is common for crews to be on duty over 12 hrs. The longest I have been OD was17 hrs a couple yrs ago.