First, I understand that currently, only the NS is using Camp Cars to house their MOW personnel. I am not sure how true that statement is. Hopefully, some posters here can validate that information.
The following linked information is from the following IBT publication:
From that link click on the following story from the linked article for the article:
“Union Hails New Rules Governing Railroad Camp Cars”
FTL:"…WASHINGTON– The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued new regulations today to improve conditions of rail camp cars, backing several recommendations by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the Teamsters Rail Conference…"
I had not seen any comments on this new set of regulations by the FRA issued 10/31/2011 referencing Railroad Camp Cars. Since we have a number of Posters here in the MOW area of the railroads they work for, their thoughts and feedback should be of interest.
The regulation is specifically for Camp Cars, but the way governmental entities extrapolate rule making, would it not be possible to extend this to even away from home
I can confirm that NS is using camp cars, but I have no information whether other railroads are using them or not. I saw a set of camp cars the week of October 20, 2011 parked at downtown Liberty, NC on the CF line running southeast from Greensboro.
These cars were all made up of white “boxes” that were similar to highway capable house trailers, but without wheels or axles, and these were all anchored to flatcars. There was a generator flat car in the middle of the string, and a couple of boxcars on each end. (All were stenciled, “Do Not Hump!”) Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring my camera.
I also saw a similar set parked at Greeneville, TN earlier in the summer.
We have a camp car we use for our volunteers. I stay in it on a regular basis. It’s not bad, but there aren’t usually eight people in it, either - more like 2-3 tops. We put up some view blocks for those times when we have a female volunteer staying over - in fact, we refer to one end as the women’s end…
Pretty much all of the bunks now have plywood under the mattresses, and we took out one locker so that those of us over 6’ can actually stretch out. The bunks are only 75" long - my 77" frame doesn’t fit well.
But it’s cheaper than staying at a motel, so we endure.
We also have “shore line” power and water, and a sewage hookup.
When I posted this I was mildly curious why the FRA would publish new reguations on the use and construction of railroad camp cars, if they were a type that was fading out of use. It was, I thought, similar to issuing new regulations on how the cooperage of round wooden vats for railroad water cars was to be done.
The original materials listed the BMWED as the union that was in part behind the new regulations published in the Federal Register for the FRA.