by Gilbert B Norman
While this is hardly a fresh topic at either this or any other railforum, I am concerned that I have personally submitted postings to the 150mph Acela Operation thread that could well draw that discussion "off-topic". Having served two terms as our Forum's Moderator, I am especially onused to 'set the example' with adherence to rules set forth by Messrs. Halstead and Perkowski. Towards that end I am originating this topic with a quote of those thoughts that I believe should be presented separate from the other discussion noted:
- I have a "gut' that the LD's collectively result in an annual 'cookie jar' cash outflow of some $300M. Of further interest, practically all of that $300M is avoidable if the LD's were to be killed; lest we forget the railroads are paid on a trip basis - no go?, no dough.
Further, I believe the now collectively bargained employee protection (under ARAA '97), but I have learned essentially left the legislated (under RPSA '70) Appendix C-2 provisions in place, require any qualifying adversely affected employee to pursue other opportunities both within and without the railroad industry. For example, an affected Locomotive Engineer based at, say, Toledo, would be expected to pursue employment with either NS or CSX, and his'her certification was in order, could likely hire on with either road as quickly as a Rules exam could be administered and to mark up (is that still a term considering the act is now entering one's personal data into a computer?). If an adversely affected Engineer, is not happy about "life on the Chain Gang' (a term on some roads for pool freight service), well that is one big "sorry 'bout that"!!
However, unlike Mr. Halstead, my reasons for being "less than an LD advocate' are not the wasted $300M; I could care less about that as it is simply a minnow in the $3T ocean. My objection to the LD's is that they deprive the roads of needed capacity, even on the "vaunted BNSF", to do what they are out there to do - move freight. Track capacioty was a non-issue on A-Day; hardly the case today.
- I think the public good should come before the private railroads' desire to move freight. The LD trains are not that much of a burden, and lest we forget, the private carriers were let off the hook for passenger service when Amtrak was created in exchange for guaranteeing trackage rights