Question for BNSF employees

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I have seen BNSF trains coming through Little Rock/North Little Rock since the UP SP merger. I have heard that BNSF has trackage right now in the area and I have seen BNSF engines switching in the industrial park/port area.

Does BNSF have an Arkansas Division for these trackage rights? Are these trains manned by BNSF employees or UP employees as run throughs? If BNSF employees where do they switch crews? Where do the trackage rights start and end? What other info can you tell us about the operations of BNSF in the Central Arkansas area?

2

Maybe some of the UP guys can answer this question. [:)]

I hope. [;)]

3

I think they would have to becuase On UP lines when their trains are on BNSF they have their own crews

4

MudChicken [8D]

Can you answer these questions? [?]

I hope so, as I am curious now. [}:)] [:p] [:)]

5

Ok, one last try. [:(]

Can anyone answer these questions?

Please.

6

This ties in with the 2 CN units I saw in Lincoln NE - heading south with a rock/gravel train. Is this just using BNSF tracks to get from point A to point B? No BNSF engines involved.

7

Good question. Now hopefully someone can answer it.

8

BNSF indeed has trackage rights on the Arkansas and Illinois divisions…and BNSF crews man them most of the time but they almost always have a UP pilot. CSX , NS, CSX, and CN has trackage rights through here.

9

Zach [:)]

Thanks for the reply.

10

Jim,
A lot depends on the crew running the train, and the local labor contract.
I am qualified to run on UPs Houston sub, and of course, on the PTRA, but no where else.
On occasion, we have to go to the UP to pick up our trains, (sorta like diging through your kids room, looking for the scotch tape dispenser, its not just a job, its an adventure), and because I am qualified under their rules, I dont have to have a pilot.
But, some local labor contracts demand a pilot, regardless if the crew on board is qualified or not.
On run throughs, the sending railroad will often try to place a qualified crew on board, if not, they request a pilot from the railroad that has granted them trackage rights.

Ed