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[quote user="jeffhergert"]The unionized signal maintainers may not be getting much out of PTC installations right now.  Most of the lineside hardware, so far, in my area was installed by outside contractors.  Not railroad personnel, although when it's time to connect it up then railroad people will be involved.  I hope. Jeff[/quote] Jeff, I do not know to what extent the unions might benefit from new membership due to the mandate.  It would be interesting to hear what their position is on the mandate.  But, as you say, I suspect most of PTC implementation will be carried out by outside contractors.  Look at page 40 of this FRA report on PTC: <a href="http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L03718">http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L03718</a> It talks about the shortage of signal maintainers and the new hiring that will be needed to carry out the mandate. Here is a quote, although the formatting is imperfect:   “Railroad signalmen, the craft most responsible for PTC system installation, have fewer than 9,500 members nationwide.32 In addition to implementing PTC systems, these persons are also working full time to keep currently installed signal and train control systems operational. The work is also arduous. PTC system installers are often required to travel 100 percent of the time away from home—sometimes, in excess of 300 miles—working either 4 days on and 3 days off, or 8 days on and 6 days off. They work outdoors in all types of weather, over uneven terrain, and are required to do heavy lifting, climb ladders and poles at heights that can exceed 40 feet. All this while working under live rail traffic conditions where both the reliability of the existing systems must be maintained at all times, as well as the personal safety of all persons involved.   The industry has already hired more than 2,000 additional signal technicians specifically for PTC and is planning to hire hundreds more. It typically takes 18–24 months for an individual to receive the training and gain the experience necessary to handle the complexities of a PTC system.”   [My emphasis added]
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