Derailing accidents and the conditions of the roadbeds

[Anonymous]

PNWRNM, I understand where you're coming from, however, the term "railroad" is infact a road with rails. Have all the living, breathing people you can imagine, but if you have no ties, rails, tie plates, spikes, etc, come together, all you have are the people. If you use the word "railroad" to include more than just the inamimate object iteslf is to generalize the term. People who work for the railroad are not known as "railroads", rather "railroad employees".

By the way, isn't Amtrak always in the sink hole when it comes to annual revenue? There is a shortline here in upstate NY attempting to get privatized passenger service to run from Rochester to Niagara Falls. No Amtrak, Yay! But the major problem is getting 12.7 miles of track put back in to once again connect the shortline with Rochester. That's a lot of money ... plus inspection of bridges, reinstalling grade crossings, crossbuck signals, you name it. But there are a few proposals in the works with GVT and Monroe County Transportation Authority.

[gabe]

F_N_B,

If you read this, I really hope you continue to respond to articles. It is people like you that keep me checking this forum despite certain "pawns" that detract from its value.

Gabe

[dehusman]

Chessking :
You might not realize it, but statements like your comment :

"Remember kids, our lives are as ants to the railroad upitys."

might be found personally insulting to people who actually work for a railroad, are concerned, dedicated managers and don't particularly like being being called "upitys". When you said that, YOU fired the first shot across the bow. Why are you supprised when somebody returned fire?

Dave H.

[SALfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M.W. Hemphill

Then you'll be leaving?

We should be so lucky. This guy is too ignorant to realize his ignorance.

[SALfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

F_N_B,

If you read this, I really hope you continue to respond to articles. It is people like you that keep me checking this forum despite certain "pawns" that detract from its value.

Gabe

AMEN!! We need more people who can give us the benefit of their experience.

[joesap1]

It seems we have strayed from the original discussion of the raltionship of the roadbeds to derailing accidents. Does this mean we have sufficiently expounded on this subject?
I have learned that although the Amtrak ride is anything but smooth, the condition of the roadbeds is not a primary cause of derailments. There are many other factors which have been previously discussed. Does any one care to add some words in summation?

[Allen Jenkins]

Gee. Grr. Or GE?
It' cool, wondering, what is done wrong, when no one considers the HUGE lobby, about single ridership automobiles.
What killed the railroads passenger service? Not the roads built aside the tracks, it was the automotive industry, along with the airlines.
If traffic is reduced, then capital expenditures are disciplined.
For example, build a six-axle 3000 hp engine, put it on sub-standard mainline, watch it turn-over, and blame the builder.
So...who said the road, stripped of the responsibility of passenger service, can afford to provide a cost overload service, with quality in mind?
No one said, freight should take any priority over passenger, it's just that a no-return advantage, arostocracy at it's finest, took over mass transit.
An example, is to promote to intra, or interstate transport, and kill the E-Series, and city bus.
Too bad that corporate schemes, have complicated the future of our children.
A plague upon our ignorance.
acj.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M.W. Hemphill

No. They increased spending. Here's some numbers (AAR):

Capital investment in roadway and structures in millions of dollars: 1985 3.5, 1990 2.6, 1995 3.7, 2001 4.4 (accounting rules were changed in 1985 so numbers from before that date are not strictly comparable).

And some results (AAR):

Train accidents per million train-miles: 1980 11.43; 1990 4.73; 2001 4.22

Injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees: 1980 11.1, 1990 7.6, 2001 3.3

Are these numbers strictly comparable? No, they never are. Lines and services extant in 1980 aren't extant now, and many of those lines and services of the past were patently less safe or more prone to accident or derailment. The monetary figures aren't adjusted for inflation, productivity increases, or where it's being spent.

I'm curious. Mark states the capital expenditures in terms of total expenditure per year for 1985, 1990,1995, and 2001, but states accidents as accidents per million train-miles.

What is the figure for capital expenditures on a per million train mile basis?

[Anonymous]

Interesting writeups.

FWIW, back in the 1960's when I was first learning to spike ties in the Croxton Yards, I happened to break a hammer handle. My foreman gave me his insight into railroad maintenance economics. Coupled with a lot of blue language, I learned that the $2 spent to buy a new handle came directly out of the shareholders pockets. He told me that I should have much more respect for the shareholders.

Be that as it may, I am to this day amazed at his ability to level track by eye and layout switches with a piece of chalk. He has my deep respect.

[joesap1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by WearyErie

Interesting writeups.

FWIW, back in the 1960's when I was first learning to spike ties in the Croxton Yards, I happened to break a hammer handle. My foreman gave me his insight into railroad maintenance economics. Coupled with a lot of blue language, I learned that the $2 spent to buy a new handle came directly out of the shareholders pockets. He told me that I should have much more respect for the shareholders.

Be that as it may, I am to this day amazed at his ability to level track by eye and layout switches with a piece of chalk. He has my deep respect.

[]
I am always impressed by someone who uses their God-given talents and creates a masterpiece of their work. I can't even draw a straight line.

Joe Sapwater

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