I don't post a lot on this particular thread, but we started a new way to get our PPE (personal protective equipment) items. Our service unit is the pilot project for this. We used to get our items (gloves, batteries, reflective vests, etc) through a vending machine. You put in your user ID and password and get the item you needed. Each individual item meant putting in the ID/password each time.
To save money, they decided to have us order direct from the vendor who supplies the machine every three months. You figure what you need and send in your request via computer and it's sent to your house. We were told guys on the CP use it and like it. Lately, I only used the machine for the occasional ear plug (I used the reusable type), clorox wipe packet (to wipe down the control stand) and the required safety vest. I stopped using their gloves and started providing my own. Using the new system, I placed my first order. My first order was $45.00. The only problem is the new direct system requires a minimum order of $200.00. So I doubled up on a few items and ordered things I wouldn't have other wise but could use, like 12 pair of gloves. (each employee is allowed 12 pair for 3 months) So I'm back to using their gloves again and 12 pair should last me for quite a while. Others, when being talked through the process were told to max out their first order. Some guys had orders of $700 to $800 dollars.
Some items are allowed every three months, some every 6 months, some like flashlights or lanterns once a year. Trainmen who use the lanterns that take a 6 volt battery have to order by the box or case, I forget what it's called, and each box/case holds 4 batteries. Minimum order for these are 15 boxes/cases, allowable every three months. That is to order 6 volt batteries, you have to order a total of 60 batteries at a time. A few who work night tricks almost exclusively might go through that many, but most trainmen won't.
Also available is packets of Squenchers, a powder mix added to water that is an electrolyte replacement. Instead of a small box of 5 or 10 packets, you have to order by a large box that I think has 500 packets. All the same flavor. (Some have gotten together and each will order a different flavor and then trade so each has a variety.) I think a box can be ordered every 6 months. The box costs a little over a $100. Someone figured out that if everyone in our terminal alone (I didn't order any) ordered their allotment, it would cost the company $30000.00 in Squenchers alone. Maybe it will eventually save money, but I'm having a hard time seeing the "big picture" right now.
Jeff
PS. Almost two weeks into this program, and guys ordering are now being told their items will be delayed, they are out of stock on some common items.
Jeff - and to think we occasionally have a disconnect between theory and reality here. Kind of silly to have such large minimums on the items cited. I realize that they don't want to ship one battery, or a dozen Squinchers, but pallet loads is another story...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
jeffhergertguys on the CP use it and like it.
This puzzles me.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
We have a machine at work for supplies too.Pens,tape etc are hoarded like gold.We have shadow boards that hold brooms and shovels for cleaning too.Problem is you mostly see the shadows and not the brooms.
stay safe
Joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
tree68 Jeff - and to think we occasionally have a disconnect between theory and reality here. Kind of silly to have such large minimums on the items cited. I realize that they don't want to ship one battery, or a dozen Squinchers, but pallet loads is another story...
I think the vendor's minimum, for a certain number of items and minimum cost order, was due to originally they were only supplying terminals in bulk. A designated person did the ordering for the machines in the terminal. It makes sense in that light to have a those high minimums per order.
On a different note, today I became PTC Qualified. So when they turn it on I'll be ready.
Qualifying was done on the simulator running over a portion of the west Iowa and going through different scenarios to show how things work and what to do. Then taking a test. Going through one town, they had a pick-up truck run the gates at a crossing. I've been in the simulator a few times, but that's the first time I've seen that.
I'd love to be looking over someone's shulder as he works with a simulator. The last time I was in the seat on a simulator (it was new; they were showing it off in Proviso), I was piloting the Falcon across Illinois with three brand-new (yet-to-be-delivered, I think) GP50s.I also took a bunch of gifted students to see the same simulator (in West Chicago at the time), and watched a few of them (including my daughter) bust a knuckle handling ore in the Upper Peninsula.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Something I'd love to have available for the various train shows I work would be a trailer with a control stand, several large monitors, two computers (so one can be set up while the other is working), and several short scenarios, possibly of our line.
The idea would be to "sell" seat time in 15 minute blocks to interested fans... Stick another monitor or two on the outside of the trailer (an inward facing camera!) so others could watch the person inside sweating it out...
I know someone who could build the control stand - he's already built at least one - just have to come up with software more robust that MSTS or Trainz that could run three screens (front, side, rear) at once, and the scenarios to run on them.
Been out train watching. Memorial Day. Holiday. Can't tell you how many trains, but 28 locomotives. Max 4 on one train. Rest one or two. Coal, lots of freight, grain. Was wanting the Hunt train to come by so I could stop it and get a couple of cans of tomato sauce. (our delivery grocery store doesn't carry it) That and the Boeing were the 2 we didn't see today.
Life is good! Somedays, excellent....
Thanx BNSF
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
afternoon
Well the water is still high here in Nw Ohio.Checked the Bend.The bridge was still open.The water is under the 20 ft mark.Saw a couple trains.People enjoying the extra day.Back to work and back to school tomorrow.
joe
Mookie Been out train watching. Memorial Day. Holiday. Can't tell you how many trains, but 28 locomotives. Max 4 on one train. Rest one or two. Coal, lots of freight, grain. Was wanting the Hunt train to come by so I could stop it and get a couple of cans of tomato sauce. (our delivery grocery store doesn't carry it) That and the Boeing were the 2 we didn't see today. Life is good! Somedays, excellent.... Thanx BNSF
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Murphy SidingAre you collecting Boeing parts?
They won't miss them. They all look alike, so whose to know?
Mookie Murphy Siding Are you collecting Boeing parts? They won't miss them. They all look alike, so whose to know?
Murphy Siding Are you collecting Boeing parts?
Murphy SidingWhich parts are you missing? I can check my stash.
I'm getting concerned .... There's a song about about a 61-62-63-64 automobile in here somewhere... Frankenplane?
mudchicken I'm getting concerned .... There's a song about about a 61-62-63-64 automobile in here somewhere...
I'm getting concerned .... There's a song about about a 61-62-63-64 automobile in here somewhere...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWHniL8MyMM
One piece at a time...
Happened to be inbound to Linden, Mi going through Durand, Mi at 1 am this AM and immaging the luck, I got stopped be a west bound CN with just 1 loco. Figured it would be a short quick freight and I'd be on my way. NO, around 50 auto racks on the head end I missed a few. That makes for a nice unit train, but, following them were turbine blades. The blades were the 150ish ft type and they just kept appearing out of the dark. One blade per car but each blade spanned most of two cars with each car having the large round end mounted to special bracket, so in effect one blade per car. 100 blades later the train passed. So, am I correct with a ballpark length in the 13-14,000 ft range?
Boy, Tree - I need to have you available to translate chicken-eze for me!
Johnny Cash - well, that wasn't one on my top 10 list. Little Deuce Coupe was closer. And that is one ugly car. I found about 3 different cars in it and won't say which ones it is comparable to that existed in that time frame.
Bob, you appear to be a bit short with the length. Based on your report, I'm using 250 93-foot TTX flatcars (50 autoracks plus 200 flats for the turbine blades) as a yardstick and come up with about 23000 feet in length unless the flats for the turbine blades are shorter. Maybe somebody else can help out.
Mookie mudchicken I'm getting concerned .... There's a song about about a 61-62-63-64 automobile in here somewhere... Ok - you have me again. That was my heyday and I don't remember anything that equates. Maybe Murphy understands better than I do.
Ok - you have me again. That was my heyday and I don't remember anything that equates. Maybe Murphy understands better than I do.
It might be the fact that I'm dealing with William Gibbons ghost and the ashes of the Rock Island ... Got a real bizzare case of who owns dat?, in the middle of downtown Peoria. Whirlpool/Maytag Corp may find itself unwillingly dragged back into the railroad biz they thought they escaped from. Everybody uses the track and R/W, but nobody claims ownership near Water and Walnut.
Boy am I in over my head. Got a Tree that knows funny cars; a Siding that wants help building and will sing at the same time (yes, I do have duct tape and have to find the slip-joint pliers) and a Chicken that is wondering if it will play in Peoria....
And we did have a train go thru here toward St Joe Mo - with blades - I counted 84 blades - one on 2 flat cars. That is 168 cars and with other decoratives along, it was close to a 200 count train. And all my facts are backed up by the Driver, so see there is a male involved in my postings!
MC, Is Jumers still the place to stay in Peoria? I liked it back in the 'day??' when the TP&W was on my agenda.
Good to hear from you dinningcar.
A few weeks ago I had a question for you and mudchicken about your days back on the Santa Fe, but I apologize because now I forgot the question.
It is always good to hear from all of the folks in the Chatterbox.
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
[quote user="CSSHEGEWISCH"]
It appeared that there were 2 blades per 3 flats. The heavy end of each on it's own car with a special roller rack on the third. Makes for a 200 + car train so I guess that makes it 18,000 + feet, so I was 'off by a mile'. I understand the single loco on the old GT but I bet it got a workout on the long hill west of Durand to Perry, Mi.
diningcar MC, Is Jumers still the place to stay in Peoria? I liked it back in the 'day??' when the TP&W was on my agenda.
Never stayed in Peoria, so didn't know there was a Jumer's there. I know there was one in Davenport - pretty cool place.
evening
got the swamp mowed after work.Local was uptown when I left work.Matt has one more day of school.You are sure to hear a few of Mr. Cash's songs in Deshler if you stay long enough.
DC - Jumers decided to get into the Casino business about ten years ago. The hotels in Galesburg (BW-Prairie Inn), Peoria, Davenport and Bloomington are all different names now because of the change in the business plan. I think Peoria (The Castle) is now a Radisson. (The Jumers in Bloomington (Chateau) was a little strange and a bit fru-fru* the only time I stayed there. I remember getting cut up when I brushed against the stucco walls in a hallway...)... I get the impression that Jumers is now only the casino at Rock Island.
(*)French Provincial gone over-the-top Tudor Bordello
mudchickenFrench Provincial gone over-the-top Tudor Bordello
Sounds like the place I stayed in Davenport...
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