I'm trying to explain to you how the signal system works. They aren't running slow through there for fun or to make you late. They can't run wide open whenever they want to.

 

I know that but it doesn't make it any less frustrating or any less dangerous when delaying emergency vehicles.

I know that but it doesn't make it any less frustrating or any less dangerous when delaying emergency vehicles.

 

We've got a job to do as well and I'm sure you'd rather it be done safely for your sake. Or we could just shut down the railroads so no one has to wait at crossings and see how well that goes for everyone.

Nobody messes with the railroad. They've been SO deeply embedded into the US government for SO long...they're virtually untouchable.

 

Planes, trains....:lol2: Can't no one get it right. :lol2:

 

Exactly CWB!

 

And RM, I am glad you recognize the commonality between two very large industries that are both intertwined with the Government.

We've got a job to do as well and I'm sure you'd rather it be done safely for your sake. Or we could just shut down the railroads so no one has to wait at crossings and see how well that goes for everyone.

 

No one is advocating for the Rail Roads to shut down or diminishing their importance. I think the initial issue from the news report in the OP and here locally isn't with slow moving trains through town...it's with trains parked for hours blocking crossings in remote areas and shutting off access to those areas or homes. In a worst case scenario you would have Emergency Responders waiting at a crossing for a dispatcher to relay word to the rail road that a train needs to move so an ambulance/fire truck/police car can get through to an emergency. That of course says nothing about people that live on the wrong side of those tracks that can't come and go from their homes as they would wish.

 

I understand that trains stop locally to swap crews, but can that not be timed to minimize how long the train is stopped blocking crossings. I know a few weeks ago local LE walked over half a mile down the tracks to ask the crew to move a train when calls to dispatch had no effect.

No one is advocating for the Rail Roads to shut down or diminishing their importance. I think the initial issue from the news report in the OP and here locally isn't with slow moving trains through town...it's with trains parked for hours blocking crossings in remote areas and shutting off access to those areas or homes. In a worst case scenario you would have Emergency Responders waiting at a crossing for a dispatcher to relay word to the rail road that a train needs to move so an ambulance/fire truck/police car can get through to an emergency. That of course says nothing about people that live on the wrong side of those tracks that can't come and go from their homes as they would wish.

 

I understand that trains stop locally to swap crews, but can that not be timed to minimize how long the train is stopped blocking crossings. I know a few weeks ago local LE walked over half a mile down the tracks to ask the crew to move a train when calls to dispatch had no effect.

Given the number of trains that pass through Somerset and swap at Burnside the crossings are not blocked all that long. Every dispatcher that I know gives a crew as much notice as they can to minimize the impact on crossings but it often can't be helped. Sometimes the train is awaiting an outbound crew due to hours of service restrictions, sometimes there are mechanical issues and recently there has been a surfacing gang working south of Burnside that has caused southbound trains to have to be held at Burnside until the hang cleared the tracks in late afternoon. Our crews are very experienced with their territory and do everything that they can to stay off off crossings when they have to stop but that just isn't always possible.

 

We get all kinds of complaints about the crossings. Some times they are legit and that is the only way in or out of a location, a lot of times it is someone that doesn't want to drive a mile down the road to another crossing. If they have gotten ahold of the chief's office and the train still hasn't moved I hope they are staying out of the gauge of the rail when walking up to talk to the crew--there is likely an opposing train coming and the presence of a LE Officer probably won't change the situation. If it is an emergency let the chief dispatcher know and the crossing can be cut but that can cause additional problems and is generally only done in extreme situations.

As I sit here on my deck, train passing by 200 feet away crossing over Covert Run. Sometimes they come to a complete stop on the overpass and when they begin to move the thunderous noise made from the slack in between cars can wake the dead.

No one is advocating for the Rail Roads to shut down or diminishing their importance. I think the initial issue from the news report in the OP and here locally isn't with slow moving trains through town...it's with trains parked for hours blocking crossings in remote areas and shutting off access to those areas or homes. In a worst case scenario you would have Emergency Responders waiting at a crossing for a dispatcher to relay word to the rail road that a train needs to move so an ambulance/fire truck/police car can get through to an emergency. That of course says nothing about people that live on the wrong side of those tracks that can't come and go from their homes as they would wish.

 

I understand that trains stop locally to swap crews, but can that not be timed to minimize how long the train is stopped blocking crossings. I know a few weeks ago local LE walked over half a mile down the tracks to ask the crew to move a train when calls to dispatch had no effect.

 

Glad you responded cause my response was going to read a little differently while expressing the same opinion.

Glad you responded cause my response was going to read a little differently while expressing the same opinion.

By all means don't hold back.

I'd like to know who in the railroad universe thinks it's a great idea to send back to back trains through Harrodsburg between the hours of 0730 and 0800 when kids are trying to get to school.

I'd like to know who in the railroad universe thinks it's a great idea to send back to back trains through Harrodsburg between the hours of 0730 and 0800 when kids are trying to get to school.

Just the luck of the draw. The crews go where the signals tell them to. Talk to Anderson County. Maybe they'd prefer we park them there so they'd be blocked instead.

Just the luck of the draw. The crews go where the signals tell them to. Talk to Anderson County. Maybe they'd prefer we park them there so they'd be blocked instead.

 

How about the powers that be use some common sense in scheduling? Too much to ask?

How about the powers that be use some common sense in scheduling? Too much to ask?

The schedule on freight trains are not that precise. It doesn't happen every day and it isn't the same trains when they do come through at that time. Think about what you are saying. We run through hundreds of towns and communities. Those trains are going to be running through one of them at that time. But I guess your community is the only one that matters, right?

The schedule on freight trains are not that precise. It doesn't happen every day and it isn't the same trains when they do come through at that time. Think about what you are saying. We run through hundreds of towns and communities. Those trains are going to be running through one of them at that time. But I guess your community is the only one that matters, right?

 

 

Just like question law enforcement, I'm questioning the railroad.

 

It ain't rocket science, it's a schedule.

Just like question law enforcement, I'm questioning the railroad.

 

It ain't rocket science, it's a schedule.

And you have no idea how it works. Freight trains aren't passenger trains. They have a larger window of time that they travel in it isn't that precise due to the needs of the customers. Again, they're going to be somewhere when people are going to work or school. If they're passing through your town you just drew the short straw that morning. There are hundreds of trains out there at all times of the day and night. They can't stay out of every town.

And you have no idea how it works. Freight trains aren't passenger trains. They have a larger window of time that they travel in it isn't that precise due to the needs of the customers. Again, they're going to be somewhere when people are going to work or school. If they're passing through your town you just drew the short straw that morning. There are hundreds of trains out there at all times of the day and night. They can't stay out of every town.

 

 

There are web sites that you can track airplanes on, is there a website where the public can track the location and travel of trains?

Edited April 17, 20179 yr by Jumper_Dad