CPF363 wrote:newpylong wrote:In an example of how messed up things are lately, stopped in the Hoosick/Eagle bridge area since 0930 or prior was:
EDMO on the 2 track Eagle Bridge. AD-2 on 1 track at Hoosick Junction. RJED at MP 450 on the single. MOED, RJ-1 and yesterdays AND today's 22K stopped behind RJED all along the single iron.
Since Norfolk Southern purchased a 50% interest to create Pan Am Southern in 2009, and the Patriot Corridor, what has really been done to keep the track up? True, there was the big track blitz of welded rail train after welded rail train and crews from NS working to get rid of all of the curve-worn wide gauge followed by ST's tie installation crew. They picked most of all of the 10s and crews from either Ayer or Mechanicville could make the entire run in one shift. But, what has been done since 2009? NS has done some spot welded rail here and there over the past few summers but no speakable tie work to follow. They can put in all of the rail they want, but without the good ties to keep it all in gauge followed by proper ballasting, tamping and proper surfacing, there is no way the speeds are going to be maintained. Add to the fact that there was a significant winter this year to compound the problems. Too bad that during 2010, 2011 and 2012, there were no real tie replacement programs that would maintain speeds they achieved in 2009 across the line. Now more catchup work is required. Wonder if Norfolk Southern ever takes the time to compare the operations of the Patriot Corridor with those of the Meridian Speedway operated by the Kansas City Southern Railway?
That have been doing a lot, fixing or rebuilding things that eventually would become a problem. They totally rebuilt the #2 deck of the Hudson River Bridge, and a plethora of other bridges that have been in service long before we have been around. These are usually very big, and costly projects. They have been replacing switches all over as well.
Problem is none of these hide the fact that the 2009 rebuild was half a**. They did enough to get the line up to track speed for a season so the Patriot Corridor could start with a bang and it's been declining since. Unless a serious resurfacing happens it's always going to be bandaiding until the fall, and then all hell breaks loose in spring thaw.
I also wonder what NS thinks of how their investment has panned out. I have a hard time making excuses when there are shortlines with faster mainlines. They are running a lot of tonnage these days compared to years past, an efficient mainline is critical.