I've seen a lot of very short manifests on CSX recently, like Q393 running with 100 or less axles a few times lately, also Q380 yesterday had only 82 axles. Does anyone have a reason for this?
One reason could be the One Plan (don't wait for a full track - just run what they have on some sort of an imaginary schedule)
Another - some think the've been running stuff around Selkirk, because the new Terminal Superintendant at Selkirk is trying like hell to make the remotes work and by running freight around it makes the remotes look like they're doing the job, but even in reduced levels so far and after some very serious accidents and near hits swept under the carpet (no one was removed from service - had it been a conventional crew - heads would have rolled) CSX still thinks they're safer and more productive (really because it eliminates a man from the job - the engineer).
Also, if you pay attention to the AAR's reports on traffic levels they will you alot about whats been going on. Traffic is in the toilet because the economy is also in the toilet. Namely the housing and automotive markets are really in the trouble. When you see trains getting this short - it's not USUALLY that we can't handle the work - it's just not there and for this time of year it is very uncharateristic.