Here is the way to successfully run a railroad during a minor snowstorm: Look at everything New Jersey Transit did last night and do the exact opposite.
Last night's performance was a disgrace. That was a minor snowstorm with a little bit of ice. And there was plenty of warning that it was coming. Frozen switches and broken down equipment should not be an issue during what could only be described as a routine snow event being faced by an industry that has been in this business for more than 170 years.
Weather problems aside, decisions were made last night that boggle the mind. Locals sent out in front of the expresses. Squeezing the backlog of passengers from three cancelled trains onto a three-car train while a five car train sat on an adjacent track, and then went out empty right behind it.
The track assignment boards not matching what was being announced and adding confusion. They should have just been turned off.
The conductors on the ground saw these things and tried to call attention to them but were ignored.
I'm sure others can share similar observations.
Four inches of snow should not bring a railroad to a halt.
Last night's performance was a disgrace. That was a minor snowstorm with a little bit of ice. And there was plenty of warning that it was coming. Frozen switches and broken down equipment should not be an issue during what could only be described as a routine snow event being faced by an industry that has been in this business for more than 170 years.
Weather problems aside, decisions were made last night that boggle the mind. Locals sent out in front of the expresses. Squeezing the backlog of passengers from three cancelled trains onto a three-car train while a five car train sat on an adjacent track, and then went out empty right behind it.
The track assignment boards not matching what was being announced and adding confusion. They should have just been turned off.
The conductors on the ground saw these things and tried to call attention to them but were ignored.
I'm sure others can share similar observations.
Four inches of snow should not bring a railroad to a halt.
"But Dad. It's Smokey!"