by doepack
qboy wrote:Well if that speeds stated in the article are accurate 61MPH for 40MPH X-over, and 47MPH on a stretch of track that is 30MPH. That can't feel good and can easily draw the attention of passenger especially if your a regular passenger. I'm not familiar with the Rock Island Line where these 2 speeding incidents are reported to have occurred. I run of the UP West Line(Geneva Sub) and I tell you there are couple spots while the timetable speed is 70MPH. It may feel ok to me going 65-70MPH the Conductors in the back will tell me hey the stretch of trk around MP 15 is rough, and tossing us around passenger and are wondering if things are ok even though I wasn't speeding!I've heard engineers call in areas of rough track to the dispatcher, who will send out a track inspector to investigate. If necessary, the affected area will get slapped with a temporary speed restriction until repairs can be made. And while any kind of speeding incident on RI is certain to attract additional attention from the Feds, that red light violation on ME is also troubling. Luckily, that appears to have been a isolated situation, but that could have easily resulted in far worse consequences.
qboy wrote:I usually find my job easiest when no one complains or even get a occasional thank U in morning that works for me! Heck I've learned from crew some passenger call tell when I'm running or the Extra Board Engineer is working my train!I've rode that line long enough to know what regular runs certain engineers have, and some can be slower than others, so when possible, I try to avoid their trains. Even when there's no speed restrictions, clear weather and signals, hot track all the way with moderate to average passenger loading and no freight interference or other problems, I still end up getting downtown about 5-7 minutes later than I would if an extra board engineer was working the same run under the same ideal conditions. Funny how that works...
--Dorian--