GP-35's Flying Solo Photos

The switcher in Stamford is needed to switch MNR trains. To ask an MNR switching crew based in Stamford to haul an Amatrak to NHV some 40 miles down the track and then have to fly solo back to Stamford takes up easily 1.5-2 hours of time which would be better used switching MNR equipment in Stamford. It has nothing to do with the RR's hating each other. And BTW it would make more sense for an Amtrak switcher to come up to Stamford anyway and return the load to NHV where it is based versus having the MNR switcher go out of its way.

Amtrak is a tenant on MNCR/CDOT track, its MNCR's job to get the broken Amtrak train off the main so we can move trains.
It is not MNCR's responcibility to deliver broken down Amtraks to a Amtrak terminal, And as Patric said for MNCR crew to go to New Haven would pull them away from their own job for at least 3 hours.
After they already spend hour getting the Amtrak train of main tracks.
The 3 hours away from Stamford would prevent trains from getting in shop for vital repairs, it would prevent trains from being moved so toilets can be dumped, in general it does not benefit MNCR to do work for Amtrak, despite it being billable to Amtrak.

What trains are in Stamford that aren't EMUs that would need to be switched to empty their toilets? Aside from that, the priority should be keeping the Amtrak train moving, as it has passengers who have somewhere to go. The train then had to wait for the Amtrak switcher instead of potentially being able to continue north under MNCR power.

Don't they have a backup switcher? I mean its not a whacky what-if to have the switcher crap out, independent of any HHP-8's failing.

There's no reasoning with you is there. First of all just because a train is an EMU doesn't mean it won't still be switched by the diesel switcher(gasp!). Second to your point regarding the Amtrak passengers, S***t happens and they'll be delayed. It's just the same when you fly and your plane has a maintanince issue. Bottom line, MNR has its own operations to run with very little margin to play with, so they can't be catering to every Amtrak need. MNR will do the best it can to pitch in, but not at the expense of its own ops.

See, foamers can make logical arguments!

The Amtrak passengers were long gone, they were transfered to other trains, the diesel is needed to push electrics in and out of shop, the crew is needed to move electric trains in yard.
Again BigaAw stop trying to pretend you know one iota about railroading cause your ignorace is showing on all sides.

It is NOT Metro-North's responsibility to fix Amtrak's problems. Nobody fixes Metro-North's problems; if our train breaks down, the passengers are delayed until Metro-North gets them moving again. It's not a matter of "hating each other" or "liking each other"; Metro-North helps out Amtrak when possible and when requested - and sometimes even when not requested. (As an example, the other day the movable bridge at Spuyten Duyvil was stuck open. Metro-North gladly took the Amtrak passengers who were being delayed at Yonkers. Yes, we're reimbursed, but that doesn't obligate us. Often in situations like this we'll actually offer to help, and we're normally thanked graciously by Amtrak.) But there's absolutely no reason on earth why Metro-North's operation should be allowed to suffer in order to minimize delay to Amtrak customers on a disabled Amtrak train. Frankly, if it weren't hindering operations on the main, the train would have sat where it was until Amtrak came and got it. Just as it would if it were on Amtrak territory.

And no, there's not a "backup" switcher. That would mean you're paying a switching crew every day to sit around and wait for something bad to happen. We don't do that. That would be an inexcusable waste of public funds.

Jim

Patrick A. wrote:There's no reasoning with you is there. First of all just because a train is an EMU doesn't mean it won't still be switched by the diesel switcher(gasp!).

Besides the ShuttleWagon in Stamford and New Haven I've never seen a diesel engine switching EMU's, unless there's something wrong with the EMU's. To do this you'd have to setup the EMU's for tow and get the compromise coupler all of which takes time, unnecessary time if the EMU's can be moved under their own power. The Shuttlewagons have pins couplers already(I'm pretty sure) but then again as was said that's only for shop moves. And there are Bomb trains and other diesel & maintenance equipment that are kept in Stamford yard.

BiggAW wrote:What trains are in Stamford that aren't EMUs that would need to be switched to empty their toilets? Aside from that, the priority should be keeping the Amtrak train moving, as it has passengers who have somewhere to go. The train then had to wait for the Amtrak switcher instead of potentially being able to continue north under MNCR power.

Don't they have a backup switcher? I mean its not a whacky what-if to have the switcher crap out, independent of any HHP-8's failing.

Enoughs.

=otto-