QB 52.32 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 2:06 pm
Don't expect PSR or use of Worcester as a hub to mix/match traffic or hold/originate/terminate trains, including use of main track west of CP-45, to end any time soon. Both have been too beneficial.
Without the former doubtful there'd even be this thread. Maybe even no more CSX crews who could "railroad" New England.
Without the latter, especially during this period of crew shortage from the so-called "self-inflicted" Covid Great Resignation widespread across our economy, there would be no benefit of better crew & power utilization and better service for the carload business that wants reliability over speed. The grade from CP-46 to CP-48 is less than that between CP-60 and CP-64 where trains, including without power, of loaded and empty auto racks have been tied down for almost 20 years.
To the extent and how Worcester might be used to handle blocks and trains (unlike a yard required to classify cars), at the intersection of growth & investment in East-West passenger rail and PAR, the next MA DOT infrastructure upgrade investment indicates further use of main track west of CP-45 and with a likelihood intermodal traffic and blocks over Barbers will be hubbed in Worcester as well.
It's the same grade, Charlton Hill, that ends at MP46 in Worcester, and it takes nearly the same number of handbrakes there as it does at CP57 or CP60. Now we are switching out trains on the side of the hill in Worcester, and any time you cut away from the train you have to secure it and do a handbrake test. So that means at least 15 to 20 of them applied, more in winter. Then you have to build up your air so that you will have brakes to switch with.
264 would usually outlaw there after tying the train down before they wanted the power to go to Worcester, and it had a straight shot for years before they started putting random auto racks on 424. Yet you would still be outlawed on the ride to the hotel.
Trains were tied down at 57, but only if you were going to outlaw. It wasn't a regular thing because Worcester couldn't handle the train like it is now.
I'm just telling you that this whole operation is part of the problem, and you can try to blame it on Covid all you want. I've already explained how they used Covid as an excuse to cut jobs that they want to cut anyway. They are not going to be able to continue this way.
It is self-inflicted.