by taracer
newpylong wrote: ↑Sun Jan 01, 2023 9:25 pm You are all missing the larger issue and that is rulset(s). CSX uses in house rules and the ST and and MBTA use NORAC. You can qualify employees on territory all you want but until they travel for a week and are taught and become qualified on the other ruleset it doesn't matter. It is also easier said than done to pull someone out out of service to do so when labor is still scarce.The Selkirk crew almost never brings the train to Burncoat anymore. It sits in Worcester on Main 1 for usually at least 12 hours before the yard crew brings it up the branch, to get recrewed again. So that is 2 recrews, or three crews total.
Also what are they gaining by doing a crew change at Harvard vs New Bond/Burncoat? It's still a crew change that has to occur regardless of location. Efforts are better spent reducing the unforced errors ie speed restrictions.
They are not going to be able to keep 426 &436 parked on Main 1 for hours like they have been doing ever since the pandemic started. They are going to need to have both main tracks kept clear, especially with the T and Amtrak running more trains through here.
They gain keeping Worcester fluid by qualifying Selkirk crews to Ayer and ex- Pan Am crews to Worcester. That way they can do the recrews anywhere in the 30-mile area, adding flexibility.
It's all one railroad now.