Conrail and NORAC?

Hey guys,
Just curious on your thoughts on this...

As of Monday the 4th of August, NS has terminated use of NORAC operating rules on it's Harrisburg Division. I'm told the remainder of the divisions are to follow. They are now utilizing their own set of operating rules. Since CSX has long since abandoned the use of NORAC rules across the board, what shall happen in terms of Conrail's operations? Since both NS and CSX own the company as it stands today, will they switch to either NS or CSX rules and do away with NORAC also? Or will NS and CSX continue to use their own operating rules while Conrail continues to abide by NORAC?

Anyone have a clue?

Mike DiMunno

CSX and NS most likely will retain NORAC rules use on Conrail Shared Assets since many CR SA trains operate over Amtrak, NJ Transit, and Septa territory where the NORAC rule book is used. It also may be cost effective in this case since CR SAA
crews would have to be retrained to use a new rule book in spite of the fact that they would still have be NORAC qualified anyway.

Conrail will still use the "old rules",they even cut 1 week out for engineer training for them to return home to take the rules class rather than be tested in Georgia.