This is not an effort by former Conrail people to bash CSX. Unfortunately
CSX sends out one message on the right hand and a totally different
message on the left hand. They are not the only ones to have done that
in the past and probably this will continue in the future.
I don't like bashing any railroad and I have done my share on here, I
would rather see the railroads that do get bashed do things that will result
in a positive reaction rather than a negative reaction.
Needless to say, sometimes railroad management does things that do not
make any sense to me but sometimes they do things that do not appear
to make sense but when I consider what else they could have done, they
end up with little or no alternative. I do not like to see any railroad let
their physical plant go to hell, I saw that on the Penn Central to a huge
extant and it raised hell with their operating costs some of which labor
got the blame for. Very few railroaders want to spend 12 or more hours
going 150 miles on a freight train over a trip that should have and could
have been done in eight hours if the railroad had been properly
maintained. I know, I have experienced it.
The best managements that I worked under were Metro-North from 1983
until 1987 at least, I can't really say after that and Conrail for the most
part from 1987 until 1997 when I retired. The worst management was
without a doubt Penn Central especially in the early period after the
merger and especially by some former Pennsylvania people.
I worked for the railroad for 41 years and I do not enjoy finding fault with
them but sometimes I do not feel that I have a choice.
I have three basic criticisms of CSX:
1. The way they have treated at least some of their operating employees.
2. The way they have treated Amtrak passenger trains over their lines.
3. My concern for the reduction in track maintenance of very main lines
which can and result in many operating problems including longer
running times, increase in number of derailments and in the risk of
derailments and poorer working conditions. This also causes a major
increase in operating costs.
I well remember the 12 plus hour days on Penn Central and I well
remember when Stanley Crane took over Conrail and tore up a fair
amount of track. He also poured a lot of money into the main lines and
track conditions were probably the best ever when he retired and this
basically lasted right through the end of Conrail.
Sorry for such a long one but I needed to say this.
Everybody, please have a happy THANKSGIVING and have a SAFE day.
Noel Weaver
