bnsf crew change points

I thought it was Phippsburg not Bond but could be wrong. Since 2001, BNSF has eliminated districts running to Eugene, Ore., Helena, Mont., Quanah, Texas, Mobile, Ala., and International Falls, Minn. All were on lines sold off, embargoed, or substituted with haulage agreements on another railroad. Re: BNSF Crew Change Points Author: BN7149 The railroad is run as an East-West route. I was wondering about crewchangepoints along the UP and BNSF in the Midwest. Here are> some places I know they run helpers at least occassionally:> > * BNSF/UP: Denver to Palmer Lake. All in all, it is an interesting aspect to the industry. "And as far as working 40 hours per trip, again what they're not telling you is, yes, we may be on a train for seven to eight hours going to our destination or back," she said. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. The contract has major safety implicationsespecially amid North America's dangerous, and sometimes deadly, crude-by-rail boom. Something unheard of even 5 years ago, just before the bottom dropped out. By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our, Get our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Get in touch with us using the Media Contacts list on the left. Meanwhile, BNSF is spending $581 million this year to forge . "I can't give you a name of anyone that likes the policy whatsoever," Knutson said. No, I think Rawlins is still very much used for everything but"shooters" (hotshots), which go all the way to Green River without achange. Would this be the right list for the Transcon? Members of both unions from all involved railroads are welcome to attend. .so far" thread who said that through frieghts now use only one crew, but way freights are still supplied with crews on each Sub. More than just lines on a map, a railroad is people. I think the Miles City to Harlowton run was one of them. Don't know if he's going to range all the way up to PRB coal country or west into Utah. Years ago while overnighting in the Super 8 in Ft Madison, Iowa I had the pleasure to talk to a BNSF (ex Santa Fe) crewman. CP never owned any of those ginormous tenders like the Santa Fe had to get across the arid areas they served. I wish I had asked a trainman how the pay was calculated, since some of the turn arounds were short. She apologized andI pardoned her and let her go on to wherever it was she needed to go quickly. In 1992, Santa Fe began a decades-long project to double-track the 512 miles of the route that remained single-tracked. We will show you how to get a rate, ship, track and manage your account by using our online tools. Here is what I think I know about some of the crew districts andhelper districts in and around Colorado. No, Rawlins is still a crew change point for all trains 50 mph and less. Allan_Love_Jr, Aug 26, 2007 #1. Tribal Relations. Back in the 60's, the SP had a run out of Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, CA. Even a 25 MPH scheduled speed would result in an 8 hour trip. Something unheard of even 5 years ago, just before the bottom dropped out. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. If a system map is an archaeological record of mergers, acquisitions, abandonments, and line sales, then a crew-district map is the record of all of these, plus technological change and traffic pattern change, with a great deal of law and contract negotiations mixed in. If. Additionally, if employees fall into the top 10 percent of hours worked, they can earn points. For the moment I still have more tracks, trains, and switches then they do, but that is changing rapidly, as two new rail facilities are planned for this town. We see this very often here. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. BNSF crews frequently change crews here at Eola yard in Aurora, IL. http://www.oaktreeinn.com/Hotels is a current list of hotels. 16. You can rely on BNSFs team of experts to help educate you on the benefits of incorporating our rail network into your supply chain. ), then Ogden?> > Helper Districts:> > Between the closing of Tennessee Pass and the use of remote units, I'm> not sure there are any permanent helper districts anymore. I hear talk about crews having to be changed because trains are late and their time is up, that doesn't seem to go by mileage. Find images, videos and PDFs that help tell you more about BNSF. Recognizing our contribution to our nation's economy, we work to listen and respond to customers' needs, maintain strong corporate governance, provide value to investors, and strategically invest to keep our rail network strong. I was wondering about crewchangepoints along the UP and BNSF in the Midwest. Hugh Cook is Wyoming Public Radio's Northeast Reporter, based in Gillette. I doubt many trains could've made the extra 70 or so miles to Rochelle on their hours. Retirees may not work at BNSF any longer, but many are active in their communities and play an important role as unofficial ambassadors for BNSF. I'm a teetotaler, so that thought is never on my mind. Learn more about how the Amarillo project enhances the entire Southern Transcon in this video: Please subscribe to receive occasional email newsletters keeping you in the loop about BNSF and customized for where you live. Why Sign In? For some reason, I always thought crew change points were determined by how long it took to get there. A train in the long pool uses one less crew than if it goes to the short pool. About 50/50 on one crewactually making it. BNSF Crew Change Locations In order to set up activities for the BNSF and other railroads, I can't recall anyone putting out any kind of a list for where crew changes take place. Points are deducted for taking time off, especially at times that the railroad deems inconvenient. Learn how easy it is to become a BNSF customer. And, crew change points were (and still are)not always the same for engine crews and for train crews on the same train. But crew change locations make a logical place to start and end activities. Curiosity about Melstone got to me and found out that it now has a population of 96, down from 136 in 2000. Others are where two adjacent crew districts were merged into one, with the crews running through the former change point between the two on all, or most trains. BNSF plays a vital role in our economys supply chain, moving freight across our nation every day. ----------------------------------------------, BNSF Railway (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), It is currently Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:55 am, http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/Product _31803.ncm, Brightline Trains LLC (formerly All Aboard Florida and Virgin), California Commuter, Rail Transit, and High Speed Rail (HSR). The away terminal is the opposite end of their run, and the crews get their 8-hours rest in a motel provided by the company that is to say, whats left of the 8 hours after travel time to and from the motel, a meal, a shower and, of course, the crew-caller can call 6.5 hours after tie-up time. (At least it was when I was there last week), Sharon Springs, Kansas (It used to be Oakley), > * Denver south: Pueblo> * Denver west: Bond, then Grand Junction> * Denver north: Cheyenne> * Pueblo south: same as BNSF, presumably. Heres where one railroads train crews go to work, where they lay over, and the tangled routes in between. We offer a library of downloadable files, forums to exchanges messages, news and more. $221/day, with an average annual salary of $70,000 - $82,000. Or, did they get rid of it because there was too much congestion / delays east of Clinton? Anything north of Cheyenne WYor south of Pueblo, CO, I don't know much about. : I thought I read that UP phased out Rawlins, and all trains go through: to Green River from Cheyenne. Each employee would be given 30 points for the rest of their career but would be docked points for taking off weekdays (two points), weekends (four points), and holidays (ten points). "However, just last week, I sat down in Guernsey for 27 hours in the hotel waiting to come home.". Some crew change points were simply the points at which one railroad had a junction with another. Enjoy moving trains in breathtaking scenes across the country, all year long. The hotel provides transportation for thecrews and for passengers who come in or go out of the station in Renssalaer, and it is possible to ride in a van with the railroad employees. Welcome to the BNSF newsroom. If anybody could help me out, that would be awesome. But she added that incentive ultimately rewards those who take little, if any, time off and who don't need the points anyway. Feel free to fill inanything I'm missing. If going via the old C&S/FW&D its Trinidad, Texline, Amarillo,then Wichita Falls.If going via C&S to Trinidad and then ATSF it would be aC&S crew to Trinidad, then ATSF crew to Raton then Albuquerque. I have to look thru some stuff, but I think they used to change at Melstone, MT. Staying at one of the lodging motels can be interesting, but I wouldnt suggest being too inquiring these days. Zug, you guys must have really been tired. BNSF Editor CTC Board Magazine [ Reply To This Message ] Date: 01/10/02 19:00 Thanks Author: dbm. from Calgary to Medicine Hat, AB, created in 1910. When they eventually finish their Blair and Clinton projects(not any time soon) I expect a push tochange the crew districts. Yermo isn't much more than a wide spot in the road that the I-15 bypassed. Getting people and freight between Southern California and Chicago once took months, weeks or even years. The project required the company to move about 3.6 million tons of rock, lay 5 miles of new track, and build nine new bridges with a combined length of about 3,000 feet. (Except when that train gets too long, then it goes back to the short pool.) BNSF Crew Change Points (Transcon and Hi Line). Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. From the materials that help create products people use every day to the actual finished products, our consistent and cost-effective service takes products of any size to customers when and where they need them. myemployer, any other railroad, company, or person. Seven miles west is Minot, North Dakota, an Amtrak station stop where all trains change crews. A decline in coal traffic, fewer employees when rail traffic began to rise, and the desire to operate the railroad with fewer employees are all contributing factors, he says. Which meant that many crewsmight not be able to make the far treminal on their HOS. Which meant that many crewsmight not be able to make the far treminal on their HOS. This doesn't mean that runs were only 100 miles then or 130 miles now. Vancouver, WA or Pasco, WA-Wishram, WA-Bend, OR-Klamath Falls, OR-Keddie, CA-Stockton, CA? In the early 1970's the law was changed to 14 hours and subsequently todays 12 hours. ;-). Shop online for BNSF-branded merchandise. In Gillette, she said they have just two new hires compared to 18 that have left since the Hi-Viz policy was implemented. The dispatchers were forced to make better meets, yardmasters to get trains out of the yards better and so on. A couple less employees to receive benefits. I thought they also did a UPcrew district map too, but I may be thinking about a map on the UP company website. Seems I recall a map in trains a while back showing this. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of. We're proud to tell our story and how we strive to be a trusted partner worthy of your respect. Does the UP still have a Proviso to Boone long pool? Between the closing of Tennessee Pass and the use of remote units, I'mnot sure there are any permanent helper districts anymore. The railroad has been one of the major economic drivers and employers for many of the Wyoming communities it passes through. * Denver northeast: Sterling, CO? Kevin Knutson is a Gillette-based conductor and union leader who has worked for the railroad for over 40 years. This BNSF rail division sees some of the highest tonnage freight traffic in the world (over 100 million tons annually. I thought they also did a UPcrew district map too, but I may be thinking about a map on the UP company website. Are you developing a new facility or looking to expand? 546 posts BNSF Crew Change Points (Transcon and Hi Line) Posted by Doublestack on Monday, June 4, 2007 10:39 PM Good evening, Someone recently asked me how many crew changes it takes to get from Chicago to LA vs. Chicago to Seattle. Good threads on this string. Additionally, if employees fall into the top 10 percent of hours worked, they can earn points. Lately, they are alsohandling most of the auto racks and one Q manifest. Learn more about our trains, how we operate them, and the variety of railcars we haul, in the informative BNSF Virtual Train Tour. I have to look thru some stuff, but I think they used to change at Melstone, MT. For instance, Sanford, Florida, was the south end of one railroad and the north end of another; both roads were absorbed by the Plant System--which went into the Atlantic Coast Line. Harvey and Enderlin, ND; Glenwood, Thief River Falls, and Minneapolis/St. BNSF Railways first-in-the-industry Tribal Relations program seeks to build and strengthen ties with the many diverse tribal nations on BNSFs network, and to foster within BNSF a greater cultural understanding of these tribal nations, their rights and governance, cultural resources, and other crucial issues. Sometimes it would take the the full 16 hours on the HOS to make the run. The additional high iron allows 70-mph intermodal trains to leap ahead of slower-moving merchandise and unit trains at crew-change points, which BNSF says will alleviate congestion, boost average train speed, and improve service on the busiest intermodal route in North America. Back in my road days, when we'd end up at a hotel after a very long and tiring trip, and some guy who was obviously an over-eager railfan would see us and ask us if we were railroaders, we'd always answer: NOPE! The BNSF classification yard looking east. Need to talk with someone at BNSF about a news report youre putting together? EDIT: To answer the original poster's question I checked with what limited ressources I have, and found the following CP (ex Soo Line) crew change points in his part of the world. Find the right person at BNSF to help you. She apologized andI pardoned her and let her go on to wherever it was she needed to go quickly. Someone recently asked me how many crew changes it takes to get from Chicago to LA vs. Chicago to Seattle. (Some of these are the same ones who always complained about the long pool because the LP crewsusually get priority to get over the road, no matter what type of train they are on, so they usually go around you.). Many owe their existence to it. This year alone, BNSF is investing approximately $1 billion into the 2,200-mile Southern Transcon route. Many times after the adoptionof the 130 mile day, the terminals didn't change. Whenever I go to the local Amtrak station I enjoy talking with the agent when he is not busy with other people, even telling him that his worst nightmare has come back to him. The heart of the yard is visible from a hill about midway . Within these districts there are pools that work to/from intermediate terminals, such as Clinton to Marshalltown. Since crews are usually pooled on a first-in, first-out basis, everyone still has the same opportunity to rack up miles and thus pay. And, crew change points were (and still are)not always the same for engine crews and for train crews on the same train. I guess you're right. They can be added if employees work during periods that are more in demand. He said the policy is very stringent. I just remembered, while sitting in the Oak Tree Inn at Clinton, IA, that they are the UP's contracted provider for crew lodging away from home. The Southern Transcon has been continually enhanced to accommodate the evolving needs of freight and passenger rail. One of this year's projects was to add a fourth main through Amarillo, Texas. Melstone was almost certainly a crew change location in that it was almost exactly halfway between Harlow and Miles, along with being the only spot between Roundup and Miles City with more than two parallel tracks. All Rights Reserved. BNSFs Public Projects team is the point of contact for the communities we serve when they desire to deliver infrastructure projects that cross, intersect, or parallel BNSFs network in some way. For nearly 170 years, BNSF has been safely and efficiently transporting freight and helping shape our country's history. Official site: Where are the crew change points between Belen and Barstow, and are Belen and Barstow themselves also crew change points? The Clinton-Mo Valleylong poolhandles mostly intermodal trains. This change made two crew districts out of what were three, running thru the traditional terminals atAvery, ID and Malden, WA. We didn't linger too long for obvious reasons. Raton, NM??? The "run through"was established in 1970, not too long before I started my railway career with CP in that area. At the time we were having trouble going from Boone to Clinton in 12 hours. BNSF said that they're aggressively hiring but Goodson said the situation on the ground is that more employees are leaving than can be hired on. Wondering where the crew change points are on the BNSF from Chicago to the Twin Cities on the Aurora and St. Croix Subs? At the time we were having trouble going from Boone to Clinton in 12 hours. I'd wonder if the average speed of the slowest Milwaukee freights on the Trans-Missouri Division during the first generation diesel era would have been more like 25 MPH as opposed to 12.5 MPH. There really are some Knowledgeable Fans out there. Major stations: Barstow, Ash Hill; Yards: Needles; Crew Change Points: Needles, Barstow Junctions: Daggett (UPRR Cima Sub) MP 739.6 Highest point: 2187 @ Lavic; Lowest Point: 620 @ Amboy . "This policy, that they have now, cut that in half and in half. I've searched the Web and have came up with a few locations for the BNSF. The Milwaukee Road in the 1970s combined orchanged some crew districts, both on the Puget Sound extension and elsewhere. Wyoming Public Radio | Fully responsible for all aspects of the North American operation including profit and loss, contract negotiation, customer retention, business development, sales, marketing, process management,. The 100 mile day was based on how far you would travel in 8 hours at a speed of 12.5 mph. A fourth-generation Northeast Wyoming native, Hugh joined Wyoming Public Media in October 2021 after studying and working abroad and in Washington, D.C. for the late Senator Mike Enzi. They seem to use the Williard crews for the long distance intermodals (from east coast) and Williards for the manifests and commodity trains. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. All engine crews changed in McComb; thus all passenger engine crews ran 100 miles from start to finish. Trenton ON was eliminated as an away from home terminal for Toronto East Pool and Smiths Falls West Pool crews. (Except when that train gets too long, then it goes back to the short pool.) In days past, the away terminal was often a remote hamlet in between two cities. If the district is too long tor its conditions of traffic and geography, the crew hogs out short of its final terminal, and is dogged or patched by a relief crew (idiom varies) two crews have been paid a days wages to do what was supposed to be the work of one. That's in addition to the $3.3 billion we invested between 2013 and 2017. I listen to the CSX on my scanner and often the dispatcher will ask if they are a Garrett or Williard crew. I haven't heard of this in a long time, so maybe this was a failed idea. Curiosity about Melstone got to me and found out that it now has a population of 96, down from 136 in 2000. Every scheduled train from First Class passenger trains to Fourth Class freights had a scheduled stop for water at Bassano. The hotel provides transportation for thecrews and for passengers who come in or go out of the station in Renssalaer, and it is possible to ride in a van with the railroad employees. Barstow CA. CP never owned any of those ginormous tenders like the Santa Fe had to get across the arid areas they served. For pay purposes,a basic day is 130 miles, up from the original 100 mile day for freight. The reason why so many (former complainers included) drive to workit, it's set up to work about 8 round trips per month and pays good. This line is known as the Seligman Subdivision, and stretches between Winslow, AZ, and Needles, CA, both of which are crew change Paul MN. Our community is FREE to join. Bassano was located at almost the exact halfway point on the Sub. She's based in Gillette and works mostly on the route between Gillette, through the Powder River Basin to Guernsey, a crew change point. Friends of BNSF is a community for people who have a connection to or affinity for BNSF. Currently, it's possible to make Clinton and tie up within 6 hours on duty, on a coal train no less. > * Pueblo east: ?? Others are where two adjacent crew districts were merged into one, with the crews running through the former change point between the two on all, or most trains. No, they never had aProviso- Boone long pool. The 100 mile day was based on how far you would travel in 8 hours at a speed of 12.5 mph. For instance, if I took off every other Sunday, no other days, I would be dismissed by the end of the year.". Check this site for information about benefits and retirement plans. Like what's going on for June, when the KO Sub between Minot and Fargo isundergoing MoWwork, some trains will re-route over the Devils Lake Sub to Grand Forks (change crews at DL Switch) and then run down the Hillsboro Sub into Fargo By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our, Get our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Seattle / Spokane / Hauser, ID / Whitefish, MT / Havre, MT / Glasgow, MT / Minot, ND / Fargo, ND / MSP, MN / La Crosse, WI / Chicago . Allan_Love_Jr TrainBoard Member. At BNSF, we are committed to providing you the information you need to make informed transportation decisions. Alaska Railfanning / My ARR Photos on Flickr. .so far" thread who said that through frieghts now use only one crew, but way freights are still supplied with crews on each Sub. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. I though I saw articles in the mainstream press in the '80's that they were extending crew districts from east of Spokane, WA, across the Idaho panhandle, and over onto the flatland's of Montana. (Some of these are the same ones who always complained about the long pool because the LP crewsusually get priority to get over the road, no matter what type of train they are on, so they usually go around you.). Model Number: 24V-X2-SB18-XR Item Height: 19.960 Item Width: 20.980 Item Length: 23.820 Item Weight: 38.4500 UPC: 0842470128637 EAN: 0842470128637 Brand: Snow Joe Type: Snow Blower Battery Life: 50 min Clearing Width: 18 in Power Source: Battery Color: Blue Voltage: 24 V Model: Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18-XR MPN: 24V-X2-SB18-XR Then run pools (through Clinton) to Missouri Valley (hot intermodals only), to Boone (everything else), and pools to Des Moines and Mason City. Existing Suppliers may access the Supplier Portal here. Same with RR'ers in TEY service. Can someone in road service choosewhich pool to work in? > * Denver west (UP trackage rights): do they go all the way to Grand> Junction or do they change at Bond again like UP does? If an employee exhausts all of their points, they can be terminated. BNSF crews frequently change crews here at Eola yard in Aurora, IL. Then Alliance, NE? But I hear it is coming. 237 0 14. Nothing against the over-eager railfans, but the only thing we wanted to think about was sleep. I recall seeing a Steffee speed survey (mid-1960's?) In February, BNSF instituted an attendance policy known as Hi-Viz, which drew immediate criticism from employees and railroad unions. For 170 years, BNSF has played a vital role in building and sustaining this nation's economy. By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our, Get our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. showing freights running at 50+ MPH between Miles City and Harlowton, which would put the start to stop time at a bit over 4 hours. At times they will change within minutes of stopping at the "crosswalk" where employees cross the mainline, and at other times the incoming crew will "tie down" their train on the main-line and the train will wait for literally hours on the main for the outgoing (new) crew. ), Yes BNSF uses helpers if they cant meet the UP HP per Tonrequirements. It's a way to stay informed about the company, learn more about how freight rail contributes to our way of life, explore the company's rich history and connect with other BNSF supporters. Welcome to the BNSF Railway at Edgemont South Dakota website. This website is best viewed in Chrome or Safari. This is via La Junta,they can't go via Trinidad. At BNSF, we are proud and honored to receive recognitions from various organizations. They can only work 12 hours by federal law. from Calgary to Medicine Hat, AB, created in 1910. However, the longestcrew division is CP's Belleville Subdivision from Smiths Falls ONto Toronto Yard (197 track miles) where the Toronto Terminal officially begins or ends. When they eventually finish their Blair and Clinton projects(not any time soon) I expect a push tochange the crew districts. Some railroads do have expanded crew districts. "We have had a lot of people resign, quit working, and not just Gillette, across the system, because they went and found other jobs. Apparently extending crew districts is in E. Hunter Harrison's bag of tricks, which as far as I know now, he hasn't yet pulled out. His perigrinations may take him intoneighboring parts of Wyoming and New Mexico, possibly Nebraska orKansas, too. FORT WORTH, Texas - Capacity projects around three crew-change points on BNSF Railway's busy Southern Transcon will help the railroad gain operational flexibility on its key route linking Los Angeles and Chicago. Crew Change Points, Belen to Barstow; Discussion related to BNSF operations. BNSF has added a crew change at Kremmling, Colo., on the former Rio Grande, and abolished the change at Las Vegas, N.M. Railroads included in this map: