jeffhergert Falcon48 cptrainman * * * Bottling the air. Well not really in the classic sense, but after securing a cut of cars and banging the air we are now allowed to have the cocks on both ends closed. This was always a strange one to me as our GOI already allowed this but our "safe operations guide" did not. Anyhow, they changed the "safe operations guide" to match the intention of the GOI. * * * Curious about your statement on "bottling the air". In the U.S., FRA regulations prohibit this practice. FRA requires that, before leaving equipment unattended, brake pipe pressure must be reduced to zero and the angle cock left open on the first unit of the equipment left unattended (49 CFR 232.103(n)(2)). Perhaps this isn't the case in Canada. Our rules do allow something like this for immediate run around moves where the locomotives will recouple into the car(s) on the opposite end. After cutting away and letting the brake system to go into emergency, wait one minute before closing the angle cock on the standing portion. There is a note about not "bottling the air" and it's connotation is not to leave air pressure in the train line. Jeff
Falcon48 cptrainman * * * Bottling the air. Well not really in the classic sense, but after securing a cut of cars and banging the air we are now allowed to have the cocks on both ends closed. This was always a strange one to me as our GOI already allowed this but our "safe operations guide" did not. Anyhow, they changed the "safe operations guide" to match the intention of the GOI. * * * Curious about your statement on "bottling the air". In the U.S., FRA regulations prohibit this practice. FRA requires that, before leaving equipment unattended, brake pipe pressure must be reduced to zero and the angle cock left open on the first unit of the equipment left unattended (49 CFR 232.103(n)(2)). Perhaps this isn't the case in Canada.
cptrainman * * * Bottling the air. Well not really in the classic sense, but after securing a cut of cars and banging the air we are now allowed to have the cocks on both ends closed. This was always a strange one to me as our GOI already allowed this but our "safe operations guide" did not. Anyhow, they changed the "safe operations guide" to match the intention of the GOI. * * *
* * *
Bottling the air. Well not really in the classic sense, but after securing a cut of cars and banging the air we are now allowed to have the cocks on both ends closed. This was always a strange one to me as our GOI already allowed this but our "safe operations guide" did not. Anyhow, they changed the "safe operations guide" to match the intention of the GOI.
Our rules do allow something like this for immediate run around moves where the locomotives will recouple into the car(s) on the opposite end. After cutting away and letting the brake system to go into emergency, wait one minute before closing the angle cock on the standing portion.
There is a note about not "bottling the air" and it's connotation is not to leave air pressure in the train line.
Jeff
I reread the bulletins regarding the changes to operating procedures here at CP. I was wrong in my previous post about cutting off cars with both angle cocks closed. The cut does NOT need to be in emergency. We are now allowed to keep the brake system completely charged as long as handbrakes have been applied and tested for effectiveness. There are no other restrictions.Up here in the great white north when the temp. drops to about -30c, sometimes a train cannot get its air. Already the transmasters are thinking this is a wonderful idea with huge efficiency gains during winter operations.
Up until this bulletin came out it was strictly forbidden to bottle-the-air. Well, now it is legal here at CP as long as handbrakes are applied and tested for effectiveness.
cptrainman jeffhergert Falcon48 cptrainman * * * Bottling the air. Well not really in the classic sense, but after securing a cut of cars and banging the air we are now allowed to have the cocks on both ends closed. This was always a strange one to me as our GOI already allowed this but our "safe operations guide" did not. Anyhow, they changed the "safe operations guide" to match the intention of the GOI. * * * Curious about your statement on "bottling the air". In the U.S., FRA regulations prohibit this practice. FRA requires that, before leaving equipment unattended, brake pipe pressure must be reduced to zero and the angle cock left open on the first unit of the equipment left unattended (49 CFR 232.103(n)(2)). Perhaps this isn't the case in Canada. Our rules do allow something like this for immediate run around moves where the locomotives will recouple into the car(s) on the opposite end. After cutting away and letting the brake system to go into emergency, wait one minute before closing the angle cock on the standing portion. There is a note about not "bottling the air" and it's connotation is not to leave air pressure in the train line. Jeff Jeff I reread the bulletins regarding the changes to operating procedures here at CP. I was wrong in my previous post about cutting off cars with both angle cocks closed. The cut does NOT need to be in emergency. We are now allowed to keep the brake system completely charged as long as handbrakes have been applied and tested for effectiveness. There are no other restrictions.Up here in the great white north when the temp. drops to about -30c, sometimes a train cannot get its air. Already the transmasters are thinking this is a wonderful idea with huge efficiency gains during winter operations.
Right up until a cut rolls away.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Falcon48 As I read it, STB's heartburn with a possible CN-BNSF merger some years ago was driven mostly by a concern that it would trigger another wave of big consolidations in response which would reshape and further consolidate the entire industry. This, in turn, would likely have led to substantial reregulation of the industry by Congress, not to mention all of the attendant service problems that seem to be inevitable in these transactions. I don't see how a CP-KCS merger would be likely to lead to another big merger wave, particularly if the merging partners make some pre-merger deals with BNSF and UP to protect http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/6AE2EDA1784A01E38525677B006E9DE2?OpenDocument I, too, don't know what the two CEO's are thinking. i suspect, however, that CP's management isn't thinking much about future mergers right now.
As I read it, STB's heartburn with a possible CN-BNSF merger some years ago was driven mostly by a concern that it would trigger another wave of big consolidations in response which would reshape and further consolidate the entire industry. This, in turn, would likely have led to substantial reregulation of the industry by Congress, not to mention all of the attendant service problems that seem to be inevitable in these transactions. I don't see how a CP-KCS merger would be likely to lead to another big merger wave, particularly if the merging partners make some pre-merger deals with BNSF and UP to protect
http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/6AE2EDA1784A01E38525677B006E9DE2?OpenDocument
I, too, don't know what the two CEO's are thinking. i suspect, however, that CP's management isn't thinking much about future mergers right now.
Thanks Falcon48 for your support for my idea. When I have the time, I will look over the CN-IC merger document. I am very curious how this process works. Thanks again.
CP-KCS, I believe can be argued as an increase in competition for north/south traffic flows. I really cannot see how this merger could fail in a business sense, but I did not consider the environmental effect. When I read the merger document, I am sure there will be other factors that I have not considered.
I remember when the STB stopped all class 1 mergers. BNSF - CN was too much to handle. Everybody could see the collapse of a competitive industry and the birth of a duopoly. Obviously, not in anybody's best interest.
I agree that EHH is focused on fixing up CP, first. Later who knows what he is going to do. I do know that CP and KCS have had exploratory talks. This was right after the DM&E merger was approved when the CEO of KCS visited Fred Green in Calgary. I have no idea what came out of this (these?) meetings. However I do see traffic routed to KCS via KC on shipping documents.
Ok. Now for the latest development.
The TCRC won a battle against CP regarding local agreements.
It is apparent that one way CP is going to reduce costs is to take it from the operating employees' pay check. The method of their attack is simple. Cancel all local agreements and revert to the collective agreement pay scales. As I reported earlier in this thread that could add up to huge decreases in pay. For some employees the cut in pay could be up to 30%. Some employees even predict a 50% pay cut.
EHH inherited a railroad that has labor strife with its operating employees. We have been without a contract for 2 years come December, 31 and are currently working under a back-to-work order from the federal government that became law back in May.
Bill C36 is the law that forced Canadian CP employees back-to-work. Within this bill is a clause that stated the current collective agreement cannot be modified until the arbitrator has made his final decision.
TCRC (Teamsters Canada Rail Conference) represents all operating employees in Canada. They filed a complaint to the CIRB (Canada Industrial Relations Board) stating that CP was modifying the collective agreement by cancelling all local agreements. This was in violation of bill C36.
I was notified yesterday that the CIRB sided with the TCRC and all local agreements must remain in place pending the arbitrator's decision.
To me this is a small victory as CP will cancel the local agreements as soon as the arbitrator's decision is forwarded. However, I hope this CIRB decision may influence the arbitrator in a direction towards the union demands.
As far as EHH goes, I wonder what his next move will be. I guess he will just wait for the arbitrator and then cancel the local agreements once a contract is finally signed.
BaltACD cptrainman jeffhergert Falcon48 cptrainman * * * Bottling the air. Well not really in the classic sense, but after securing a cut of cars and banging the air we are now allowed to have the cocks on both ends closed. This was always a strange one to me as our GOI already allowed this but our "safe operations guide" did not. Anyhow, they changed the "safe operations guide" to match the intention of the GOI. * * * Curious about your statement on "bottling the air". In the U.S., FRA regulations prohibit this practice. FRA requires that, before leaving equipment unattended, brake pipe pressure must be reduced to zero and the angle cock left open on the first unit of the equipment left unattended (49 CFR 232.103(n)(2)). Perhaps this isn't the case in Canada. Our rules do allow something like this for immediate run around moves where the locomotives will recouple into the car(s) on the opposite end. After cutting away and letting the brake system to go into emergency, wait one minute before closing the angle cock on the standing portion. There is a note about not "bottling the air" and it's connotation is not to leave air pressure in the train line. Jeff Jeff I reread the bulletins regarding the changes to operating procedures here at CP. I was wrong in my previous post about cutting off cars with both angle cocks closed. The cut does NOT need to be in emergency. We are now allowed to keep the brake system completely charged as long as handbrakes have been applied and tested for effectiveness. There are no other restrictions.Up here in the great white north when the temp. drops to about -30c, sometimes a train cannot get its air. Already the transmasters are thinking this is a wonderful idea with huge efficiency gains during winter operations. Right up until a cut rolls away.
A prophecy no doubt.
cptrainman BaltACD cptrainman jeffhergert Falcon48 cptrainman * * * Bottling the air. Well not really in the classic sense, but after securing a cut of cars and banging the air we are now allowed to have the cocks on both ends closed. This was always a strange one to me as our GOI already allowed this but our "safe operations guide" did not. Anyhow, they changed the "safe operations guide" to match the intention of the GOI. * * * Curious about your statement on "bottling the air". In the U.S., FRA regulations prohibit this practice. FRA requires that, before leaving equipment unattended, brake pipe pressure must be reduced to zero and the angle cock left open on the first unit of the equipment left unattended (49 CFR 232.103(n)(2)). Perhaps this isn't the case in Canada. Our rules do allow something like this for immediate run around moves where the locomotives will recouple into the car(s) on the opposite end. After cutting away and letting the brake system to go into emergency, wait one minute before closing the angle cock on the standing portion. There is a note about not "bottling the air" and it's connotation is not to leave air pressure in the train line. Jeff Jeff I reread the bulletins regarding the changes to operating procedures here at CP. I was wrong in my previous post about cutting off cars with both angle cocks closed. The cut does NOT need to be in emergency. We are now allowed to keep the brake system completely charged as long as handbrakes have been applied and tested for effectiveness. There are no other restrictions.Up here in the great white north when the temp. drops to about -30c, sometimes a train cannot get its air. Already the transmasters are thinking this is a wonderful idea with huge efficiency gains during winter operations. Right up until a cut rolls away. A prophecy no doubt.
History - not prophecy. Crew delivers coal train to a terminal where the outbound crew has to couple to the rear of the inbound crews train for their movement. Inbound crew bottled the air and cut away, without confirming that the outbound crew had coupled to the train and had it secured. Train rolled out through a remote control interlocking and onto a bridge that was out of service while undergoing a reconstruction project - bridge collapsed and 23 cars went into the river.
I think we can forget about CP ditching DM&E, especially Chicago-KC, based on Harrison's remarks at a CP teleconference today.
The conference was for the purpose of announcing CP's very fine third quarter -- Harrison's first -- on the basis of which CP's stock price jumped 5 percent.
Harrison was asked by one participant: "When you look at the network, where are the areas where you guys think you can pick up the most business?"
Early in Harrison's answer was this: "I think that some of the investment the company has made in the U.S., on the ICE territory of the DM&E, the Kansas City corridor, I think offers a lot of opportunity that has not been fully taken advantage of."
Lately it has been quiet in my part of the woods. I guess we are all waiting for the 1st week of December. That is when EHH will disclose his operating plan for CP.
There is one big rumor going on around here. Alyth is going to become a run-through terminal. Say good bye to train classification in Calgary except for the local traffic. Makes sense to me as Alyth is just a big bottle neck.
The property has been getting a face lift. It looks much better around here than it used to.
I am feeling exhausted. We are all working so hard with little or no breaks and with little recognition. All this for the pay cut we are going to receive when our contract finally settles.
So, what trains are being classified currently at Alyth besides local traffic, and where will they be classified in the future?
Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296
Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/
CP here in the East has been getting a much needed upgrade...westbound lines out of Toronto have received new ties and really heavy ballasting. Maybe an upgrade for a sale, but i don't think so.
Ok I need to correct my previous post. The Alyth rumor is not a rumor and from I learned last night the implementation of Alyth as a run-through terminal is currently underway. I can only speculate as to what the eventual goal is, but I believe 12th St will be physically gone within a couple of years replaced by a locally controlled interlocking, or if there is enough money, build a fly-over. Perhaps the hump will be buried forever and only a small classification yard will be left.
trainboyH16-44 So, what trains are being classified currently at Alyth besides local traffic, and where will they be classified in the future?
As to the first question I don't know exactly, as for the second question the switching is being performed at elsewhere. Quite vague, but I am not in management so I don't have access to the operating plan.
Ulrich CP here in the East has been getting a much needed upgrade...westbound lines out of Toronto have received new ties and really heavy ballasting. Maybe an upgrade for a sale, but i don't think so.
We have been seeing it out here too. A lot of cosmetic stuff is being fixed up. Actually, it is nice to see.
I imagine the major work programs (ties, ballast, or rail) were approved, scheduled and material ordered before EHH joined. Next year is when we will really see his stamp.
John
Its been a while since the last update but today and tomorrow should be interesting. Today there is an announcement on CP's website about PRB. It is officially dead.
http://www.cpr.ca/en/news-and-media/news/Pages/CP-to-write-down-Powder-River-Basin-option.aspx
Tomorrow EHH is supposed to present his plan for CP to the public.
cptrainman Its been a while since the last update but today and tomorrow should be interesting. Today there is an announcement on CP's website about PRB. It is officially dead. http://www.cpr.ca/en/news-and-media/news/Pages/CP-to-write-down-Powder-River-Basin-option.aspx Tomorrow EHH is supposed to present his plan for CP to the public.
Activated
"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics
And not surprised.
I agree, no surprise. I never thought there was a business there for DME or CP. This charge is a public anouncement that CP management does not expect to continue the project.
The accounting charge will depress earnings in the current quarter, but is obviously an extra-ordinary charge attributable to the previous management. It will also reduce the asset base by the amount of the charge. That will increase retern on investment going forward even if earnings are flat. Now is the perfect time for Harrison to take the charge.
Mac
PNWRMNM I agree, no surprise. I never thought there was a business there for DME or CP. This charge is a public anouncement that CP management does not expect to continue the project.
I also agree. There never was any merit in building into Wyoming even before coal demand tanked. But one can only wonder what a mess this would be now had the DM&E received their government loan and started construction!
Mark Meyer
Yes; even if traffic had remained the same, the effect would have been to drive down rates for everybody, to the ultimate loss of stockholders and the industry.
dakotafred Yes; even if traffic had remained the same, the effect would have been to drive down rates for everybody, to the ultimate loss of stockholders and the industry.
Tune in tonight from 5-6 PM EST for the plan from da man.
Dan
CNW 6000 Tune in tonight from 5-6 PM EST for the plan from da man.
A hint of what's to come..
Selling off west end of DM&E...
http://www.cpr.ca/en/news-and-media/news/Pages/CP-expression-of-interest-for-DME.aspx
Oh I forgot to mention. EHH's address is a two day event in New York. My fate is in his hands.
cptrainman CNW 6000 Tune in tonight from 5-6 PM EST for the plan from da man. Oh I forgot to mention. EHH's address is a two day event in New York. My fate is in his hands.
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) President and CEO E. Hunter Harrison today outlined CP’s go-forward plan for change that will greatly improve service, increase the railway’s efficiency, lower cost and grow the business.
“Momentum is building at Canadian Pacific and the organization is driving to a culture of intense focus on operations. Service will be what drives this organization, by providing a premium, reliable product offering through a lower cost operation,” Harrison said. “We have initiated a rapid change agenda and have made tremendous progress in my first 160 days, and we are only getting started.”
Progress Already Underway
Harrison provided various examples of steps taken over the past five months highlighting CP's evolution to a more competitive railway, including the following:
Harrison continued, “We are hearing feedback from customers that they are seeing and liking the results. The reduced number of assets and the decentralized decision making within the organization will allow us to appropriately size to any changes in market conditions. I have always maintained that by focusing on the best possible service, along with appropriate cost containment, the operating ratio will take care of itself. CP is no different; we already see the service and related bottom line benefits of our early actions. It's an exciting time to be a part of this great franchise.”
The Plan for Change Going Forward
“We now have a leadership team that understands the urgency of making change and improving the culture of this organization” Harrison said. “CP has many talented railroaders who want to win. Together we are squarely focused on improved service and becoming the low cost carrier. This will allow us to continue to grow with our customers.”
Moving forward, Harrison outlined various plans CP will execute to continue to improve service reliability, increase the railway’s efficiency, and grow the business. Key highlights include:
"I am excited about what we've achieved to date, but we have only just started this journey to being a more competitive railway. We will continue to drive our service offering while focusing on taking unproductive costs out of the business. We see a strong earnings profile and solid free cash flow picture emerging." Harrison added. "Canadian Pacific is a great franchise with strong growth upside and we are more confident than ever that we will drive shareholder value long into the future."
Financial expectations on CP's journey to 2016 include:
Key Assumptions
Fourth Quarter 2012
As previously noted on December 3, 2012, CP anticipates taking a fourth quarter estimated pre-tax non-cash charge of approximately $180 million ($107 million after tax) on its option to build into the Powder River Basin. CP also anticipates taking a charge related to labour and other restructuring activities, the amount of which is under review.
cptrainman Oh I forgot to mention. EHH's address is a two day event in New York. My fate is in his hands.
VerMontanan PNWRMNM I agree, no surprise. I never thought there was a business there for DME or CP. This charge is a public anouncement that CP management does not expect to continue the project. I also agree. There never was any merit in building into Wyoming even before coal demand tanked. But one can only wonder what a mess this would be now had the DM&E received their government loan and started construction!
- Paul North.
Now for my take on the announcements.
Centralized Decision Making - Decentralized Execution
It is the correct policy, but over a century of operating practice means it will be a difficult thing to do. It will mean a radical shift in attitudes on both sides of the equation. Eliminate vertical top down micromanaging, and horizontal buck passing. In the pdf slide show on the CPR website they talk of the War on Bureaucracy, let's hope it can finally be won.
Layoffs
The local media have quoted EHH as saying that at present the company is experiencing about 5,700 retirements/resignations a year, so the 4,500 announced job cuts should be able to be dealt with through natural attrition. However, there is the one chokepoint of 1,700 job cuts in the next month, let's hope cptrainmen makes it through.
EHH isn't the first CPR CEO to talk this talk - let's hope his management team can walk the walk.
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
dakotafred cptrainman Oh I forgot to mention. EHH's address is a two day event in New York. My fate is in his hands. Better there than in the hands of the previous administration? (Remembering your many frank posts about the bad railroading that went on previously.)
After reviewing the notes and slides from the CP website, I have to think this presentation was anti-climatic. There is nothing new there. This thread and others have already disclosed/predicted the same as in the presentation.
Putting a number to the layoffs is a bit of a shock, but we all knew there were going to be cuts in people. Like I have been telling my junior coworkers who are now worried about their future, "The work is still there. It has just been moved to other places." Those "other places" will be where the company expects to see productivity improvements. Like the presentation says over and over again, "Do more with less." So we get some of the new work due to the closing of Calgary and Winnipeg but no new people to do it, and perhaps even fewer people in the future.
My previous posts were quite frank. My frankness helped me vent my frustration about watching my company be driven into the ground. Now I can say we are starting to railroad again. The new guys are still learning how to railroad efficiently but that is expected as they were trained under the old adage "Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt." We are starting to believe, "Keep the wheels turning, this is how we make our money, and never sluff a customer."
There are still too many managers with too soft of jobs. However, there is a change coming. It can been seen with some managers. Some are becoming more hands on and more proactive. Some are just counting the days until they are gone.
Overall, I like what EHH is doing. No doubt CP will become a better company.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.