Join the discussion on the following article:
FEC implements GE RailConnect, Trip Optimizer software packages
…crews to receive switching instructions…in near real time…
A severe nightmare creator!.
On many local freights, actually an misnomer for in industrial district, or zone switchers in the Bay Area I have worked, the prelude was to prepare and ready the engine, then sit for about an hour while the crew pored over the switch lists and pondered, planned, schemed and eventually derived a grand plan for the days work.
Choreography for a freight car ballet? YES.
5 hours later the finale: “Put the engine in the 'house.”
Talkin’ ‘bout regular crews.
If the regular crew laid off…fishin’, hunting, golf, a funeral, if the extraboard crew didn’t die, they worked 11 hours and 59 minutes.
Interrupt a crew…“in near real time”…
Very bad dreams!
These Locals were not out a route and back. They were based at the crossing of 2 routes with customers on all 4 legs…one local had two crossings, but used only 3 routes at most.
The complications of the switch lists? Ask, then stay tuned.