Plus a new pool might be in place to handle the New Baltimore intermodal terminal. Long pools for some runs where Intermodals can skip crew changes, but slower freights can't. The contents of those containers and trailers range from everyday items like clothes, appliances and TVs to the special gift you ordered online for your mother's birthday. Members of both unions from all involved railroads are welcome to attend. The Super 8 was their lodging and it was set up with a computer terminal for employees to "see" the railroad and determine what their near future entailed. The project required the company to move about 3.6 million tons of rock, lay 5 miles of new track, and build nine new bridges with a combined length of about 3,000 feet. Today, the Southern Transcon is the primary route for BNSF's intermodal franchise. Usually though, a long pool crew on trains that normally go to the short pool will still change out at Boone and theLP crew will continue on to the other end in a van. Also Portal, ND and Noyes, MN, but that is because thay are also Country change points(Canada/US border). * Denver north:. We're proud to tell our story and how we strive to be a trusted partner worthy of your respect. Curiosity about Melstone got to me and found out that it now has a population of 96, down from 136 in 2000. Feel free to fill inanything I'm missing. I think the Miles City to Harlowton run was one of them. Major stations: Barstow, Ash Hill; Yards: Needles; Crew Change Points: Needles, Barstow Junctions: Daggett (UPRR Cima Sub) MP 739.6 Highest point: 2187 @ Lavic; Lowest Point: 620 @ Amboy . * Denver west (UP trackage rights): do they go all the way to Grand Junction or do they change at Bond again like UP does? (Which I don't happen to remember.). If I had not already packed my 1893 Guide in preparation for moving, I could give you the name of each road. KINGMAN is an AMTRAK only crew change. I listen to the CSX on my scanner and often the dispatcher will ask if they are a Garrett or Williard crew. From then to now trains on this subdivision are crewed by running trades employees whose home terminals are at Toronto and Smiths Falls. > anything I'm missing. The Western Pacific also had some ~200 mile crew districts. That's in addition to the $3.3 billion we invested between 2013 and 2017. OK, LION knows that tey went from 100 mile runs to 200 mile runs some time about 10 years ago. Five years ago, a conductor on the Southwest Chief initiated a conversation with me when, as I was standing in the aisle outside the room my wife and I occupied, she ran into my arms. The Clinton-Mo Valleylong poolhandles mostly intermodal trains. Classic Railroad Scenes: Railroads at Work. I guess he's got a point because all the trains stopat such places. I just remembered, while sitting in the Oak Tree Inn at Clinton, IA, that they are the UP's contracted provider for crew lodging away from home. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of. jeffhergert Welcome to the BNSF newsroom. Others are where two adjacent crew districts were merged into one, with the crews running through the former change point between the two on all, or most trains. Also Geographically the Twin Cities would be north of La Crosse what does BNSF consider it (are trains from Chicago to the twin Cities northbound or westbound?) Get the answers to the questions most commonly asked about BNSF. Lowest Point : 456 ft @ Topock, AZ. BNSF Railways first-in-the-industry Tribal Relations program seeks to build and strengthen ties with the many diverse tribal nations on BNSFs network, and to foster within BNSF a greater cultural understanding of these tribal nations, their rights and governance, cultural resources, and other crucial issues. This was indicated by a bold type stripe across the page for every train at Bassano. Correct, the hours of service were changed as follows: 16 hours to 14 hours on December 26, 1970, 14 hours to 12 hours on December 26, 1972. Only the Clinton - Missouri Valley long pool. Ideally, a crew goes on duty, gets its paperwork, gets out of the yard, reaches its destination, and ties up comfortably within the maximum 12 hours on duty allowed by the federal hours-of-service law. CP never owned any of those ginormous tenders like the Santa Fe had to get across the arid areas they served. Charlie TrainBoard Member. Recognizing our contribution to our nation's economy, we work to listen and respond to customers' needs, maintain strong corporate governance, provide value to investors, and strategically invest to keep our rail network strong. Most of those are of a standard BNSF design; the center piece, providing 23 feet, 6 inches of clearance over the lower main line, is an 87 four-girden deck-plate steel span. The railroad is run as an East-West route. I'm not sure if crews run through from Keddie to Stockton, or if there is a crew change at Marysville, CA. Learn how easy it is to become a BNSF customer. I can remember when the "featherbedding" talk began, about needing to keep crews in the trains longer because the trains were faster and did they really need three men in the cab and two in the rear. Barstow CA. I know OTR truckers are only to work so many hours before they have to sign out and rest. Several projects are currently underway to further expand the route's efficiency by adding triple- and even quadruple-track long stretches of the busiest parts of the Transcon. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. I guess you're right. I wish I had asked a trainman how the pay was calculated, since some of the turn arounds were short. I think the Miles City to Harlowton run was one of them. The Hi-Viz policy impacts all employees, not just the ones that are operating trains. I recall seeing a Steffee speed survey (mid-1960's?) Enjoy moving trains in breathtaking scenes across the country, all year long. The western end of the Hi-Line should read like this; Interbay (Seattle)-Wentachee, WA.-Hauser, ID-Whitefish, MT.-Shelby, MT.-Havre, MT. Learn more about how the Amarillo project enhances the entire Southern Transcon in this video: Please subscribe to receive occasional email newsletters keeping you in the loop about BNSF and customized for where you live. Sterling, then Guernsey for most trains, Alliancethen Edgemont, Gillette, Sheridan if they are going that way. Join Today! In Canada CN began running longer crew districts on the prairies in the 1990's, I think. Many times after the adoptionof the 130 mile day, the terminals didn't change. * Pueblo east: ??? Allan_Love_Jr TrainBoard Member. This line is known as the Seligman Subdivision, and stretches between Winslow, AZ, and Needles, CA, both of which are crew change We do not sell train simulator software. The only BNSF jobs @ Kingman is a daytime rd swtchr followed by a afternoon one. (Except when that train gets too long, then it goes back to the short pool.) If I'm wrong, the UP guys will probably weigh in, but on the OverlandRoute east of Cheyenne, I believe the closest crew change points are inNorth Platte and Fremont, Nebraska and in Boone, Iowa. The unions were able to get the UP to agree to leave Boone as home terminal for the Rochelle - Boone pools, but shortly thereafter the railroad dropped the whole idea. Originally theyhad the hot trains, with the lesser ones going to the short pool. Here aresome places I know they run helpers at least occassionally: * BNSF/UP: Denver to Palmer Lake* BNSF/UP: Denver to Winter Park (Does BNSF use helpers? Seven miles west is Minot, North Dakota, an Amtrak station stop where all trains change crews. For nearly 170 years, BNSF has been safely and efficiently transporting freight and helping shape our country's history. BNSF moves about a third of all intermodal volume in North America. showing freights running at 50+ MPH between Miles City and Harlowton, which would put the start to stop time at a bit over 4 hours. This month BNSF placed in service 5 miles of fourth main track on the Hereford Subdivision through Amarillo, Texas. The mainliners just blast through town. Forsome railroaders getting in on the other end, actually either end, the first thing they think about is beer. Apparently extending crew districts is in E. Hunter Harrison's bag of tricks, which as far as I know now, he hasn't yet pulled out. Here we focus on topics that illustrate our commitment to where we live and work. Years ago while overnighting in the Super 8 in Ft Madison, Iowa I had the pleasure to talk to a BNSF (ex Santa Fe) crewman. At BNSF, we are committed to providing you the information you need to make informed transportation decisions. I was wondering about crewchangepoints along the UP and BNSF in the Midwest. Highlighting our commitment to safety, service, innovation, people, communities and our heritage. . Each intermodal train carries as much freight as 280 trucks, helping alleviate congestion on our nation's highways. "We think those things are critical to protect the velocity and safety of our network," she says. Remember, in the time when the basic crew agreements and the 100 mile day were originated,when after the implementation of the Hours of Service laws - those laws had a maximum on duty time of 16 hours - 16 hours for a 100 mile run equals 6.25 MPH. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. Get great snapshots of railroading history in Art Petersons newest book. The last time we were in Albany, werode back to the station with a road crew in the van, and I engaged in some conversation with them. One thing to remember is there are some long and some short pools. More than just lines on a map, a railroad is people. I'll try to compile the info and post it here again foreveryone to double-check. Each employee begins with 30 points for a career, Knutson said. The hotel provides transportation for thecrews and for passengers who come in or go out of the station in Renssalaer, and it is possible to ride in a van with the railroad employees. This is via La Junta,they can't go via Trinidad. Usually though, a long pool crew on trains that normally go to the short pool will still change out at Boone and theLP crew will continue on to the other end in a van. EDIT: To answer the original poster's question I checked with what limited ressources I have, and found the following CP (ex Soo Line) crew change points in his part of the world. All Rights Reserved. Dickinson crews still run locals between New Salem and Beach including the ever growing rail hub of RICHARDTON ND. myemployer, any other railroad, company, or person. I've searched the Web and have came up with a few locations for the BNSF. To participate you must either login or register for an account. "At any given time, there are about 300 trains running along the Transcon," added Rasmussen. Then in 1972 (after the HOS was changed to 14 hours, Dec. 26, 1970) the company decided to open up an inter-divisional run fromLA to San Luis Obispo), and have us do it in 14 hours, which really worked good. Same with RR'ers in TEY service. Plus a new pool might be in place to handle the New Baltimore intermodal terminal. myemployer, any other railroad, company, or person. Something unheard of even 5 years ago, just before the bottom dropped out. (I've heard about helpers living in Tabernash but don't know if that's a permanent thing or not. Crew Change Points : Needles, Winslow Yards: Needles, Winslow Junctions @ West Williams, Phoenix Sub (BNSF) MP 375.0 Highest point: 7,322 ft @ Arizona Divide. He said the policy is very stringent. Scribd is the world's largest social reading and publishing site. All in all, it is an interesting aspect to the industry. I have to look thru some stuff, but I think they used to change at Melstone, MT. We offer a library of downloadable files, forums to exchanges messages, news and more. So if you want to rub elbows with train crews while you travel, the Oak Tree is the place to do it. They seem to use the Williard crews for the long distance intermodals (from east coast) and Williards for the manifests and commodity trains. For 170 years, BNSF has played a vital role in building and sustaining this nation's economy. No, they never had aProviso- Boone long pool. In 1992, Santa Fe began a decades-long project to double-track the 512 miles of the route that remained single-tracked. If I had not already packed my 1893 Guide in preparation for moving, I could give you the name of each road. According to Knutson, taking time off for a doctor or dental appointment can cost an employee several points. I was wondering about crewchangepoints along the UP and BNSF in the Midwest. I thought they also did a UPcrew district map too, but I may be thinking about a map on the UP company website. Vancouver, WA (Portland)-Pasco, WA-Hauser,ID, Hauser, ID-Missoula, MT-Helena, MT-Laurel, MT. Anyone on the seniority district can work the pool, assumingthey have the seniority. Drawback for those that don't live near Clinton is the drive. While it may not save the railroad money on wages, it saves them on the cost of benefits. The BNSF classification yard looking east. The last time we were in Albany, werode back to the station with a road crew in the van, and I engaged in some conversation with them. I haven't heard of this in a long time, so maybe this was a failed idea. "The Belen cutoff was established in 1908 and that was really the first major enhancement," explained Craig Rasmussen, assistant vice president, Engineering Services and Structures. By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our, Get our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. ;-). The project in Amarillo was completed in early September. I'd wonder if the average speed of the slowest Milwaukee freights on the Trans-Missouri Division during the first generation diesel era would have been more like 25 MPH as opposed to 12.5 MPH. At times they will change within minutes of stopping at the "crosswalk" where employees cross the mainline, and at other times the incoming crew will "tie down" their train on the main-line and the train will wait for literally hours on the main for the outgoing (new) crew. Since 2001, BNSF has eliminated districts running to Eugene, Ore., Helena, Mont., Quanah, Texas, Mobile, Ala., and International Falls, Minn. All were on lines sold off, embargoed, or substituted with haulage agreements on another railroad. Thanks to all the responses so far--both here in the newsgroup and viaemail. No, I think Rawlins is still very much used for everything but"shooters" (hotshots), which go all the way to Green River without achange. Correct, the hours of service were changed as follows: 16 hours to 14 hours on December 26, 1970, 14 hours to 12 hours on December 26, 1972. They needed the people because they didn't have them.". Othello, WA to Tacoma, WA, running thru Cle Elum was also instituted. Wyoming Public Radio | She said the policy isn't compassionate toward employees. I haven't heard of this in a long time, so maybe this was a failed idea. It takes a lot of workers to keep the railroad running efficiently. Ensure a safe, slow approach from others with this railroad-themed logo mask! Back in my road days, when we'd end up at a hotel after a very long and tiring trip, and some guy who was obviously an over-eager railfan would see us and ask us if we were railroaders, we'd always answer: NOPE! "The attendance policy we had in the past, it would allow basically any person to take two weekend days and five weekdays per month off," he explained. Thanks again,everyone! Here we explore how our investments and innovations enable the reliable and efficient delivery of freight. Zug, you guys must have really been tired. Whenever I go to the local Amtrak station I enjoy talking with the agent when he is not busy with other people, even telling him that his worst nightmare has come back to him. Bassano was located at almost the exact halfway point on the Sub. In older times, it would take much longer as the trains were slower. I guess you're right. I though I saw articles in the mainstream press in the '80's that they were extending crew districts from east of Spokane, WA, across the Idaho panhandle, and over onto the flatland's of Montana. Rail is the most environmentally efficient mode of surface transportation and at BNSF we are committed to improving the efficiency of our network in a way that benefits both our customers and the environment. Getting people and freight between Southern California and Chicago once took months, weeks or even years. In Canada CN began running longer crew districts on the prairies in the 1990's, I think. Seems I recall a map in trains a while back showing this. Since crews are usually pooled on a first-in, first-out basis, everyone still has the same opportunity to rack up miles and thus pay. UP crew changes:* Denver east: no idea* Denver south: Pueblo* Denver west: Bond, then Grand Junction* Denver north: Cheyenne* Pueblo south: same as BNSF, presumably* Cheyenne east: North Platte* Cheyenne west: Rawlins (Green River for hotshots? Back in the 60's, the SP had a run out of Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, CA. * Denver northeast: Sterling, CO? Back to CP for a moment, Calgary-Edmonton, AB is broken into two Sub's.,Red Deer and Leduc, totaling about 180 miles. The pandemic caused people to be out sick more often causing labor shortages. The additional high iron allows 70-mph intermodal trains to leap ahead of slower-moving merchandise and unit trains at crew-change points, which BNSF says will alleviate congestion, boost average train speed, and improve service on the busiest intermodal route in North America. ----------------------------------------------, BNSF Railway (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), It is currently Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:55 am, http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/Product _31803.ncm, Brightline Trains LLC (formerly All Aboard Florida and Virgin), California Commuter, Rail Transit, and High Speed Rail (HSR). It is interesting when you look at old ETT's. Wondering where the crew change points are on the BNSF from Chicago to the Twin Cities on the Aurora and St. Croix Subs? Usually, the two crew districts that abutted became one double-ended district. Someone emailed this info to me. It's a way to stay informed about the company, learn more about how freight rail contributes to our way of life, explore the company's rich history and connect with other BNSF supporters. Then Alliance, NE? Alaska Railfanning / My ARR Photos on Flickr. Amazing the mass of RR knowledge amongst the members of this forum. > > UP crew changes:> * Denver east: no idea> * Denver south: Pueblo> * Denver west: Bond, then Grand Junction> * Denver north: Cheyenne> * Pueblo south: same as BNSF, presumably, No, only one crew Pueblo to Dalhart. And, crew change points were (and still are)not always the same for engine crews and for train crews on the same train. Please have a look here to see what other groups are saying about BNSF Railway. BNSF crews frequently change crews here at Eola yard in Aurora, IL. Points are deducted for taking time off, especially at times that the railroad deems inconvenient. Or even less: As late as the 1990s, there were still a few crew changes in the middle-of-nowhere, consisting of only a few sidings, a crew dormitory, and a 24-hour lunchroom. (200+ miles?). Why Sign In? Heres where one railroads train crews go to work, where they lay over, and the tangled routes in between. I doubt many trains could've made the extra 70 or so miles to Rochelle on their hours. jeffhergert Note that the Puget Sound Extension and the WP were built in the 1905-1910 time frame and train speeds were up significantly from 30 to 40 years earlier. In older times, it would take much longer as the trains were slower. BNSF crew changes:* Denver east: used to be in Akron, CO, but I think they moved it all the way out to McCook, NE. That's in addition to the $3.3 billion we invested between 2013 and 2017. Learn more about what it means to do business with BNSF and the process we use for working with suppliers. Some are overlays on existing crew districts for certain type trains, intermodal for example. I have to look thru some stuff, but I think they used to change at Melstone, MT. OK, LION knows that tey went from 100 mile runs to 200 mile runs some time about 10 years ago. If anybody could help me out, that would be awesome. I hear talk about crews having to be changed because trains are late and their time is up, that doesn't seem to go by mileage. ), Yes BNSF uses helpers if they cant meet the UP HP per Tonrequirements. It's grown enough that engineer's need about half of that, even less for conductors. Terms Of Use | Notice at Collection | Privacy | 2022 BNSF Railway Company. LEARN MORE Tribal Relations. Satellite view on Google maps shows a lot of empty lots in the town and I guess that the population may have been 300 to 500 at its peak. The oldest long crew division on CP in Canada is the BrooksSubdivision from Medicine Hat to Alyth (Calgary). "A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable. Stay current with what BNSF is doing to operate a safe rail network, on our network, in the communities through which we operate and the services we offer. (Some of these are the same ones who always complained about the long pool because the LP crewsusually get priority to get over the road, no matter what type of train they are on, so they usually go around you.). Thanks for joining us! BNSF purchases material and service items from an extensive list of sources. Goodson said that if employees work on the weekends, they can earn a single point to add to their total. Note that the Puget Sound Extension and the WP were built in the 1905-1910 time frame and train speeds were up significantly from 30 to 40 years earlier. Men in road service on the Louisiana Division of the IC were based in McComb, Mississippi, which is about 100 miles from New Orleans and from Canton, Mississippi--and about 149 miles from Gwin, Mississippi, on the route through the Delta(the last two were junctions with the Tennessee Division) Passenger trains ran between Canton and New Orleans, and through freights ran between Gwin and New Orleans, on the Louisiana Division. Satellite view on Google maps shows a lot of empty lots in the town and I guess that the population may have been 300 to 500 at its peak. If you would like more information on any of the subjects contained in this section, please feel free to contact us. While it may not save the railroad money on wages, it saves them on the cost of benefits. Something unheard of even 5 years ago, just before the bottom dropped out. Would this be the right list for the Transcon? Then run pools (through Clinton) to Missouri Valley (hot intermodals only), to Boone (everything else), and pools to Des Moines and Mason City. While they have been built to provide lodging for AFHT crews, they are open to the public as well. In Iowa, they started running Atkins, IA on the Council Bluffs main and Nahant (Davenport) on the KC line. Thanks in advance for your help.Ken Stitzel wrote: You do not have permission to delete messages in this group. A train in the long pool uses one less crew than if it goes to the short pool. Information about the railroad through Flagstaff, Arizona The rail line through Flagstaff is operated by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF). They also handle (normally) the salad shooters. On the CPR, in Canada, the longest crew district is the Brooks Sub. http://www.oaktreeinn.com/Hotels is a current list of hotels. Paul MN. I recall seeing a Steffee speed survey (mid-1960's?) LIONS with CAMERAS. BNSFs Economic Development team can help guide you through the process of expanding, developing or selecting a site. Barstow CA. Then in 1972 (after the HOS was changed to 14 hours, Dec. 26, 1970) the company decided to open up an inter-divisional run fromLA to San Luis Obispo), and have us do it in 14 hours, which really worked good. The Milwaukee Road in the 1970s combined orchanged some crew districts, both on the Puget Sound extension and elsewhere. ?La Junta then Dodge City if going to Kansas CityLa Junta then Amarillo if going to Texas or New Mexico.Except AMADEN & DENAMA also change at Boise City because theydo local work. "This policy, that they have now, cut that in half and in half. * Denver south: Pueblo* Pueblo south: Trinidad? Within these districts there are pools that work to/from intermediate terminals, such as Clinton to Marshalltown. It would mark a dramatic change to a labor contract that covers about 3,000 workers, or 60 percent of the BNSF system.