BNSF Long Pooling/Running through terminals, routes to cut costs

Dec 6th started here in Alliance to Lincoln, NE.

 

I have only made the Lincoln Yard 2 since Dec and Alliance yard 3 times. And we are not even busy yet.

 

Am beginning to see this here. Coal empties usually always change crews in Glendive. But last week I watched an empty power thru town without stopping. Just slowed down for the yard and sped up heading west. It is highly unusual to see that. I do hear from folk that crews are spending a lot of hours riding in vans out to and from their trains. That is sure to increase fatigue.

 

I have spent more time in a van in the last 6 weeks than the last 5 years and they say they are saving money???

 

Just gotta love how bean counters think, or maybe they think! Hopefully the costs will come around and add up to a lot of lost time and revenue, with corresponding service failures, and the bean counters will get over-ridden. But that may be awhile yet, til they have enough data to analyze and go over, unfortunately.

So, learning to nap in the van yet?

 

Napping not so much, I am the one who gets stuck front with driver to keep them awake. We have been having lots a of troubles with van drivers. They play X-box all hours of the day and night and then think they are good to drive when the phone rings.

 

NS too has been running some enormous intermodal trains unlike anything I've seen before.

Happily, automotive tonnage between the Port of Charleston, SC and BMW's upstate plant in Greer, SC has been booming and NS is now running a daily train in each direction just for BMW. The plant's production numbers are staggering, with over 410,000 vehicles produced in 2016 and nearly 290,000 of them going to export.

 

Hardcoaler - do you use PTI Services for that down there?

 

Yes, I think I've seen PTI vehicles running around Columbia, SC serving CSX and NS crews.