Remote Control Rail-Roading?

[Anonymous]

The people in favor of remotes always say they are safe that the accidents are caused by human error because the RCO did not malfunction. The truth is there are some things that are inherently unsafe about them. If you are riding on the end of a long cut of cars especially with air in the cars hang on tight because if yours or the other belt pack loses radio contact the locomotive will go in emergency, that is what it is designed to do. We had the incedent happen where I work and it snapped a knuckle and kicked the operator out on the lead. Lucky him nothing else was on the lead. Even with repeaters installed in the yard loss of radio contact is still routine. I watched a guy try to take slake to pull a pin on one car, the locomotive kicked that car five car lengths.

[Anonymous]

Give me a break. I work for the BNSF and when it comes to RCO operations Fort Worth has made it clear they want incedents covered up. To be honest the BNSF does not have as much at stake as the CN because the CN owns CANAC. So don't tell me about their safety record. There are three kinds of lies, lies, darn lies and statistics.

[Anonymous]

It's too bad we didn't have the opportunity to work together and learn from each other. I would urge you not to think of management as the enemy...we are not. I hope your line supervision listens and that you use that opportunity to express your issues with concern rather than bitterness. Safety slogans repeated are never out of style. Have a safe day!

[Saxman]

It seems the last couple of threads have hit a nerve. It appears through reading the responeses, that remote control is being applied with no thought to operations. If this is the case, I feel for the individuals who must operate in this enviorment. Adopting any practice without thought to impact is never a good idea.

I also find it a bit odd that, at present, there is no use of remote control on the U.S. properties of the Canadian National. It is talked about during contract talks but that is all for now. Why is one of the pioneers of remote control not jumping on the band wagon in the U.S. like the other railroads? You just have to ask that question.

TLH

[wabash1]

who is this managment person trying to fool. first around here they still do operate pusher service with conductors. someone has to lace up the hoses and check the brakes and rehang the eot. second for the first week of rco here they have called in yard job to get the work done that the rco should have been doing. after 1 month of operation it isnt any better. its to the point that the railroad is slowing down on training people on the rco . some terminals are letting the rco sit. ive seen rco operations in industry that works... but its small scale work very few cars at a time. in a major yard it wont work to time consuming.

[Anonymous]

Sir,Just the kind of resonse I'd expect from managment.Increased productivity is just a euphemism for the elinination of jobs.How do you call it increased productivity when trains are delayed getting in and out of terminals account RCO's are in use.How is it increased productivity when it takes twice as long to switch a cut of cars?How is it increased productivity when a utility man is taken away from his job to help out a crew using a RCO?How is it increased productivity when extra engine yard jobs are called account the work not getting done because of RCO's?Increased productivity at the expense of safety happens on a daily basis throughout this industry.Exrta baords cut to bare minimums so that the ones on them are working every eight hours.Crews that have brought a train 250 miles and been on duty 10 plus hours then asked to do work that was traditionally set aside for the yard account RCO's being used.Men and women on one extra board being called to protect another because its out of people.No wonder the new hire turnover rate is greater than 50%.
I respect differances of opinion that make a valid point,but when their missleading I'll continue to speak out.
Whats the next step?A one man road frieght crew?
its coming the hand writting is already on the wall.Increased productivity can only go so far,it then crosses the line and becomes a safety issue.But its the bottom line that counts,right?Their is no substitute for a real pair of eyes and ears no matter what spin you care to put on this matter.And change just for the sake of change isn't always good.
We call what you call blades, points and don't need some managment type telling me to double check them.

[Anonymous]

Sir, you have acquired a misconception. I've been on the railroad 38 years with a clean record...started as a fireman, and actually was the youngest qualified passenger fireman. I've been a qualified engineer since 1971 and been through all the seniority issues, so I'm not a rookie and I understand your concerns. While I was able to move into a non-agreement job, I never lost my care and concern for all rail employees and the good of the industry. Over the years, though, the greater value of increased productivity has become glaringly apparent. I was disappointed to see you use derisive wording. No one can be on the railroad as many years as you and I and think it is a toy. Differences of opinion should not replace respect and the fact that we are conversing on this website illuminates a common interest. How many non-rail enthusiasts would even know to look here, or would, even if they did know about it? Not many, I'll bet.
The expression "check your switches" refers to the practice of double checking the blades to see that they are properly aligned and fitted before proceeding. I thought that was a common expression on all roads. Don't you do that? I hope you have a safe day! gdc

[Anonymous]

Good luck with your RCO future.I disagree with all you've said.You want the feel of the train under your ***.If you think two yrs make you a engineer and you've learned all their is to learn you'll find out the hard way that theirs no substitute for experience.With 26yrs senority RCO's aren't going to affect me one bit, senority wise.Hope you enjoy your career as your the one who will be experiencing the new and better way of railroading. Don't get run over while your playing with your engine and checking those switches.

[Anonymous]

No, I'm not kidding! You control your own confidence! If you've been a brakeman or engineer two years or more, working with R.C.'s will come right to you. If you're on the ground, you won't feel the buff and slack forces (at least I hope you don't), and you wear that waist halter that makes you look pregnant, everything else is the same. You sound like a pretty savvy railroader, so I would suggest you ask the following question to yourself: Is my concern really safety, practicality and feasibility or is it something else, having to do with seniority rosters, perhaps? We all care, so if you take those elements that are self-serving out of the mix from all sides, positive solutions pop right up! A win/win ending. Good luck and have a safe day! Check your switches. gdc

[Anonymous]

The Canadian roads have used it in major terminals for ten years. Safety HAS IMPROVED.
Just retired from the UP after 43 years in transportation dept, brakeman conductor switchman, switch foreman, yardmaster. Our biggest enemy was and will be ourselves until we face the fact progress will happen and we adapt and gain from it.

[Anonymous]

This is whats scary about remotes.False confidence and a attitude that its a piece of cake moving cars around from the ground.Safer?Easier?More efficient? You've got to be kidding.

[Anonymous]

The first one I saw was on a GE 60-Ton industrial locomotive. Yep, it took some getting use to, but that came quickly! I had the confidence to couple to cars after 15 minutes! After about 2 hours, I was able to pull ten loads, about all that old GE would do. No kidding, R.C. will make your jobs safer, easier and more efficient. Check your switches and have a safe day. It's your right. gdc

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response...I realise that part of the R.C. problem is the ancient equippment we are trying to upgrade for said operations. It's hard to even find wiring diagrams, let alone do the mechanical upgrades. If R.R.'s don't use reasonably modern units--such as at least GP-50's for example, these R.C. problems will always hamper switching operations, and compromise safety...Hommie

[Anonymous]

Might work ok on a small scale,but the jury's still out in a major class one RR classification yard with dozens of switch engines and trains constantly coming andd going.

[Anonymous]

Reality check guys. Remote control has been around a long time in industries that do their own switching. The first one I ever saw was in the early 70's in Ohio, and it worked well. Granted, it was flat yard switching as well as spotting and pulling, but it worked. Everyone knows it will not work everywhere, but new technology has to be tried. Remember, the brothers said there's no way road trains can operate without firemen...but they did. Then no way trains could run with 3-person crews, but they did, then 2-person crews, but they do and safely as well. Everyone said the utility brakeman was inefficient and unsafe, but it isn't. On NS, pushers run engineer only and have for years with no loss of life or injury because of it. Guess who has had the best reportable injury record 11 years in a row? If switching with air using remote control is not working, why not find ways to make it work? It seems that you've already identified one reason, the inability to pump up enough air. Doesn't anyone listen to you? You're the ones who can make it work, or make it fail, but I'm afraid if you choose the latter, it is all of us who will suffer...and you the most. My opinion guys and that's what you asked? Check your switches and have a safe day! gdc

[Anonymous]

Bruce,Glad to hear that the RCO's are proving to be the joke that they are.I work for the BNSF in Denver and the company is planning on implementing them next month.One of the yards they plan on using them in is on a almost 1% grade and switching with air is a necessity.But your right,their bound and determined to make them work.Even if it costs them dearly.No substitute for a real engineer in the cab.For safety and the efficient operation of engines.How can a man on the ground have a feel for what he's operating?He cant!

[Anonymous]

Remote Control R.R. (RC) is gradually becoming a joke in the Seattle Terminal of the B.N.S.F.. Little work is being done, the vests that are supplied by our 'carrier' don't fit very well, thus making the carrying of the Canac Pack's uncomfortable to say the least, and could very likely creat a liability issue down the road for the 'carrier'. After the first few weeks of use by our yd. crews, they have told me the fun factor has worn off, and reality set in. The humorous part in all of this is that some yards 'switch with air', and the R.C. engines won't rev-up to 'pump-off' the cars so they may be moved. The highest air pressure these units can achieve is 55lbs. Then they shut down because of compressor malfunction. At these yards, I believe that the 'carrier' is about to 'cry uncle' and move on. But any R.R. employee out there knows how tenatious our Class 1's are when it comes to implementing new technology. We all should recognize the need to look forward, but R.C. realistically is'nt doing the job. Every job of R.C. nature frequently requires the use of a 'utility' yard employee for said job to complete yard moves during their shifts. This nulifies the benefit of eliminating an employee! I realise I'm being somewhat long-winded on a subject that may seem boring to non-employees, but this is the dynamic issue facing the Class 1's being currently used as Guiney-Pigs, and I would like to hear from people who would like to give me their input. I won't be training on these myself...thank G**...Hommie