I'm going to tack on to some of what Tad said:
Would/could/should Amtrak adapt "precision railroading"? I would think so; there'd be a LOT less pushback from host railroads if Amtrak actually met their slots. But it's a quasi-government agency (a corporation primarily owned by the US, aka NPRC), so there's going to be a lot of patronage and somewhat sweetheart work rules and union deals. NOW BEFORE everyone gets upset by the union reference, I'm not knocking unions and the role they play in protecting workers; I myself formerly belonged to the NTEU. I could say more, but I don't want to hijack the thread and turn it into unions.net. I'm merely pointing out that the government, even in Amtrak's case (nominally meant to turn a profit), is less incentivized to report to shareholders the way publicly owned companies are.
Anderson: I know he's been much discussed on here, and it seems mostly reviled. I get that, whether it comes from railroaders or railfans, the primary point being "he's not a railroader". Lots of companies may hire CEO's who aren't necessarily from that industry; they're hired for strategic leadership and direction. They can hire COO's for actual industry knowledge. I'd also point out that most CEO's are usually not held in high esteem by their subjects.... er, employees. Look at Iger at Disney. Big article on him today from an actual Disney heir. But he's probably doing what should have been done years ago, and was being done since NPRC's inception: rationalize the system. We don't have to like it, but I understand the business case.
Europe and Safety: I can't speak to Europe's safety culture; I haven't been there since 1991. I do know they have a more favorable environment for workers than the US though, particularly in time off. Make what you want of that economic model. In the US, there seems to be a much more confrontational model between management and employee, especially lately, and especially in low margin industries. Lots of pressure, and management that essentially disowns workers who get hurt on the job, whether by their own fault or by management dictates. Safety culture is dictated down, by the top. We've seen that in the Class I's, and in Amtrak recently in particular (Cascades 188). I hope that culture is changing. I will agree with Tad, though, in that railroad operation is indeed much safer than the trucking industry, which has operators who even under federal rules still push the limits on Time of Service, mechanical safety, etc. I feel much safer on a train, even with the morons who run around gates, than I do on the highway. And again, don't get me wrong, most truckers are professionals, and drive great, and are hazarded by "four wheelers" who do such stupid things around them.
Next stop, Willoughby
~el Jefe ::
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Naugatuck Railroad
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