Posted by Todd Wilson on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 5:28PM :
In Reply to: Re: Drive Safe out there posted by Tug Boat Lonnie on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 2:13PM :
No more cabooses anywhere. They did away with the head and rear brakeman and fireman. Usually a conductor and engineer now and they are wanting to go to 1 man crews.
There are detectors along the tracks now hotbox detectors that check for overheated wheel bearings, and dragging equipment detectors. We have them I think every 20-30 miles or so. They are taking a chance something wont happen between the detectors. A hotbox doesnt take but maybe a mile at the most before it burns an axle in two and you got big troubles then.
SAFETY FIRST is what the railroad preaches yet they continue to cut jobs. They are now trying to get remote control locomotives so a one man crew can take care of things on the ground and still run the engine! But this is another can worms best talked about over beers in the garage and not on the forum! ;)
Todd