I know CN bought IC and when that happened I went to a map. Also went to a map for WC. Twenty five percent of all grain moved by train in the US, rides in a Canadian Car, even though it never leaves the US. [ 29 March 2001: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Well guys if the CN and BN did merge it would make CN even more successful than it is now . The CN IC merger was a smooth transaction . From just the CN IC merger I have seen a increase in business , more products . What I mean is here in Michigan , the Grand Trunk is a major link between Canada and the western United States and farther south into Louisiana now . Tradtionally in Michigan our bread and butter was General Motors , and there are even GM plants in Canada , but with the CN IC merger we are seeing more products come through here out of Canada and even though GM has cut production and are closing plants for 2 weeks at a time , business is still booming . Now the way I look at is that if CN merges with the BN it will bring in even more business , I have actually talked to company officials and they verify this . It should also create extra business on the BN . I have even heard that CN wants CSX's eastern seaboard , then CN will have access to the Pacific Coast , Gulf Coast , and the basically the whole Atlantic Coast . Who knows what will happen but I feel secure about my job at CN . [ 29 March 2001: Message edited by: Davecn5623 ]
Well, Canada and US are about to go to war (unofficially...no blood shed and only business people and politicians). The war begins April one, and it is over soft wood lumber being shipped down into US, probably some on IC line. Starting April one the trains will be shorter on IC. Watch the newspapers for a small article on soft wood lumber issues. It will be big news up here. Some up here want Canada to shut down power to the US to remind them that US isn't self reliant and we are the major trading partner. The good news is our politicians are to whimpy to do that; there would be major black outs in New York State, California, and a host of other states. So Dave some of your trains are going to be shorter...lets hope not for long...but this one is going to the international courts I bet...so you could have smaller trains for quite a while.
well our trains have been running really long We carry ALOT of lumber on container trains also , 5 packs ect.. From what I have seen , the IC likes long trains , when they start running them shorter , that means they will pull a job (train) off and combine it with another , hopefully that won't happen Thanks for the info though rsn48
Dave...I was wrong. The soft wood lumber deal is now defunct. The US soft wood industry is going to submit a grievance against Canada by 10:30 AM Pacific time on Monday April 2. On that I was right, but it will take a year to make its way through the courts. During the next year, you should be carrying MORE lumber, not less because there is no agreement in place.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rsn48: Dave...I was wrong. The soft wood lumber deal is now defunct. The US soft wood industry is going to submit a grievance against Canada by 10:30 AM Pacific time on Monday April 2. On that I was right, but it will take a year to make its way through the courts. During the next year, you should be carrying MORE lumber, not less because there is no agreement in place.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Ok , thanks for the info , and it seems that we have been carrying more lumber as of late .
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Davecn5623: Sometimes I can't figure management out at CN myself and I have been employed here for 8 years . I don't always agree with what CN does but I look at it like this . I am just a employee , I don't make suggestions , thats not my job . My job is to run trains safely and do what I am told Even though if I think it is stupid . Railroad management tend to have no feelings towards their employees , what is important is that the freight gets moved on time and safely . If I was running a business I would probably make cut backs too if needed , I would want whats best financially for the company . Paint jobs on the units to me is not that big of a deal , what I am more concerned with is the working conditions inside the locomotive cab , and that the units run the way they should . CN is a very good place to work to support yourself and a family . You get paid well . We are among the highest paid railroad employees around . Basically I just go to work and do the best I can given the circumstances , sometimes , or alot of times I don't agree with management but thats life .<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If management wants freight delivered fast and safe, they better start thinking about the infrastructure.Bridges, right-of ways and Such, like I've said before in other forums I want to thank all the railroad employees who do such a safe a good job in these horrific conditions, keep up the good work, and make suguestions, one voice does make a difference Keep 'em rollin'!
BN9900 , thanks for the kind words . Actually Management preaches safety but I think that is just to cover their own tail . Sometimes we work over 50 to 60 hours per week with little sleep and trying to stay awake running a train over 8,000 feet without being able to take a day off without getting wrote up . You know what I mean You just go out there and do the best you can . I myself never do anything at all that I feel is unsafe . If I have bad vibes about a situation I just stop the train or the movement
