Remote Control Rail-Roading?

[Saxman]

I am glad to see that somebody else has observed that the CN is not (presently) adopting remote control on their U.S. properties. I brought this up in an earlier post. Again the question has to be asked: Why is CN, who has been a pioneer in remote control operations and extols its virtues, NOT progressing with this technology in the U.S.?

Inquiring minds want to know.

TLH

[Anonymous]

Brakie, I knew your just trying to lighten things up a little and thats fine with me,but RCL's are here and the RRs are bound and determined to make them work.You do realize that brakemen are a thing from the the past.Oh once in a blue moon one is called to assist the conductor when the company gives in and decides he needs the extra help.One might be found on the locals here and there,but on through frieght he's a thing of the past.Well the same thing is now happining to the yard engineer.If this big experiment works you'll only find a engineer on the industry yard jobs that involve leaving the yards and the rare job where a RCL just won't work.The next step is the conductor on through frieght.Don't think so sports fans?Well the hand writting is already on the walls.When the technology advances enough the road engineer will be a thing from the past also.Oh well.Progress! Now its time to hear all about the fireman and how he was nothing but a feather bedder from all the fans who think they know about RR operations.But thats ok,get it out of your system.Sooner than you think there won't be any of us around anymore to poke fun at and show us jow smart you are.Wave at the engineer while you can because some day he'll be just like the caboose,a dinosaur from the past.Danm the social issues.Forget about how we contribute to the enconomy.Think its a small matter?I've seen small towns dry up on account the RR's decided to lengthen runs and bypass them.But thats progress!Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead.Good blue collar jobs are going to be a thing from the past.Not just in this industry but nation wide.But thats ok also.Progress! Get out of its way or it will run you down,just like the train that has no one on it.Ask yourselfs while going by one of those abandoned steel mills in the rust belt where all the workers have gone and wonder what their doing now.Or the auto workers.Where those loss of jobs have killed entire cities.Think hard.Because someday it might be you.
I'm gald I only have 10yrs to go with my RR career.I should be able to survive that long.One thing that hasn't survived is the romance I once had for railraoding.

[Anonymous]

The purpose of repeating phrases is not to desensitize anyone, but to keep safety in the forefront. While neither of us are a 26 year old neophyte, I care as much for the employees and the railroad now as then, just more experience. If we had not embraced technology and work rules changes there would be a lot more rails to trails and wouldn't that have been sad? I'm glad that you do not think of any fellow railroader as the enemy, because we're not. The real competition roars up and down the interstate. It is a shame that closed minds have prevented some truly good railroaders from part of the up-through-the-ranks management. You have a nice, safe day too, sir

[Anonymous]

I recently read an article by Bill Stephens on the safety of RCO operation. Neither Bill or the UTU mentioned that the death of a rail worker in Cleveland on August 8, 2002 happened while he was switching using RCO technolgy.

http://www.ble.org/pr/news/newsflash.asp?id=3621

[Anonymous]

Just checked my mail and yes recieved the news flash from the BLE.A very sad day indeed.
The very same day that this accident occured a offical from carnac, makers of these RCL's, said in a interview that they hope to expand this technolgy to over the road operations.

[wabash1]

in reading these post. it seems we have the truck minded people on here and they cant handle what they got now with a turn over rate industry wide of 70% i dont think the trucks will hurt us. and if frieght does go by interstate all the railroad does is cut the rate and its back on the rail. ok the next thing is managment minded people on here are trying to tell us they are not the enemy. well they are and will always be. the rco dont bother me couse if i lose my job as engineer ill bump the guys running the rco senority does have its advantage. railroads dont care about productivity they want the bottom line to show profit. regardless of cost.as far as over the road goes. not likely soon. as it only takes a few commercials and a few mailings to stop a no crew train from happening. if you dont believe me in 1995 the trucking industry wanted longer heavier trucks and triples, the AAA people along with a few comercial from the ata stopped it cold.

[Anonymous]

Tell 'em J.They can cram all they want,but people can make almost any initiative fail if they are so inclined.Occasionaly,something is developed or structured where the reluctant behavior of the individual/group is negligible or inconsequential.That is rare however because it requires an immense understanding of the dynamics of a particular issue/problem and the accompanying
objections and concerns.Managers rarely have their finger on the pulse because it isn't detectable...by design of course.

[Anonymous]

I love that management guy! More productivity for what? So Matt and the boys can buy/lease another Gulfstream 4! Here in Denver, we have a trainmaster we call Doogie Houser, but he tells everyone how to do their jobs, probably calls points blades, and they all love RCO. You gota love the phonies, though, who tell you to your face what a bummer RCO is, then get on the conference call to Ft Worth and and go GREAT IDEA, you go guys. I love the attitude that we're train tra***o these guys. I finally finished my MBA in network management, which makes me better educated than any manager around here, and love to let them know that. My job is one in the yard on the 1% grade being eliminated. We typically handle newsprint (20 loads), 40 cement loads, etc. For some reason, I like my switchmen and really hope they can stay safe and out of trouble. Take care guys!!

[Anonymous]

It's a pathetic plight.They think they must employ the "two-faced"role to be effective.I guess that's why they are managers-not very astute or intelligent.And that is why many refuse the position/function-they know it's a lose/lose proposition.When I was "union", I acted and performed my job differently than I did when I was in management.When I made the transition from "union" to "Management", I told those I supervised that my role had changed and that I had to function in a way that would alienate many,if not all.I had no choice.I had a job,and I wasn't going to fail.Losing long time friends was a consequence I was prepared to endure.I didn't employ the "two-faced",stone-age technique like many of my peers.People knew where I stood.I tapped out of management-got tired of answering for incompetence up the line.Now I'm back in the rank and file,savoring every moment as I watch the managers try to figure out why their scheems don't come to fruition.

[Anonymous]

Good on you for waking up, man. I too was a pup RFE, and even at that young age I felt I couldn't do it because I liked people too much. 30 years later I never looked back. Taking peoples' jobs for sport and conversation around a coffee pot, accusing good people of not being perfect at 3 AM, never mind my own shortcomings, just wasn't for me. I think my parents would be proud!

[Anonymous]

You go Terry. Tell it like it is! You forgot to mention building the Z-DENKCM train with about 5000-7000 tons of Coors beer.I like you hope no one gets hurt or loses their job on account of a mishap using theses RCL's.We all know its a foregone conclusion that any accident will be the crew's fault.By the way I found a site that I think you'll like.Its www.thetrainforum.com Don't forget the,the,in the adress,if you do you'll get another site that doesn't compare.This site is run and operated by BN employees.It gives one a chance to voice our opinions to fellow employees,including manangment who also post on this site.Non-censored tell it like it is, which I know you LOVE to do.lol By the way who is our favorite switchman going to argue with once the RCL's become a reality? Keith

[Anonymous]

On the BNSF they seem to leave a token engineer on every shift to dogcatch or move engines that the yardmaster had parked in the wrong place as well as pick up the slack the RCOs leave. Also the switchman don't get lonely. Except you would be surprised how many of them now say boy is it nice to have an engineer for a change.

[wabash1]

this is the only industry that by far we have to many chiefs and not enough indians. and if they would fire about 75% of all trainmasters and road formans the railroads would just about run by themselves. but i guess we need someone hiding in the weeds watching and waiting. i love to see then place a banner in front of a rco. who they going to fire then...

[Anonymous]

Our operation runs much better when the "dead weight" isn't around.Coincidence...I think not.Here's a novel approach:promote individuals based on their behavioral competence firstly,and technical competence secondly.Here's how it works now:When the boss makes deragotory remarks about another,laugh..and laugh a lot.Those who laugh the loudest and with the greatest frequency get promoted.

[Anonymous]

I can remember when the yard I work in had a superintendent, an assistant superintendent and one trainmaster. Then on each shift in a two hump yard there were five yardmasters. Now there are a superintendent and a assistant superintendent. On each shift in what is now a one hump yard there are two trainmasters and three yardmasters. We run five switch engines a shift and have five supervisors on every shift except days when we have seven supervisors. In my humble opinion it ran better with fewer bosses.

[Anonymous]

Managers are resented,and their lack of presence does wonders for morale.Good managers are heaven-sent..the rest spend the majority of their working hours justifying their existence.Here's what I want from my manager:Provide me the necessary resources and get out of my way...and sight.