We see this very often here. I'll try to compile the info and post it here again foreveryone to double-check. Jeff, another hotel where you can rub shoulders with men in road service is the Clarion Hotel in Albany, N.Y. Also Portal, ND and Noyes, MN, but that is because thay are also Country change points(Canada/US border). There really are some Knowledgeable Fans out there. Raton, NM??? Please have a look here to see what other groups are saying about BNSF Railway. 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. About ten years ago the railroad proposed moving almost everyone from Boone to Rochelle. The unions were able to get the UP to agree to leave Boone as home terminal for the Rochelle - Boone pools, but shortly thereafter the railroad dropped the whole idea. Here aresome places I know they run helpers at least occassionally: * BNSF/UP: Denver to Palmer Lake* BNSF/UP: Denver to Winter Park (Does BNSF use helpers? They also handle (normally) the salad shooters. Curiosity about Melstone got to me and found out that it now has a population of 96, down from 136 in 2000. Remember, in the time when the basic crew agreements and the 100 mile day were originated,when after the implementation of the Hours of Service laws - those laws had a maximum on duty time of 16 hours - 16 hours for a 100 mile run equals 6.25 MPH. That's in addition to the $3.3 billion we invested between 2013 and 2017. Considering that input, BNSF will make additional modifications to the program effective June 1 to provide additional clarity and flexibility to employees. But I hear it is coming. Every scheduled train from First Class passenger trains to Fourth Class freights had a scheduled stop for water at Bassano. If anybody could help me out, that would be awesome. I've searched the Web and have came up with a few locations for the BNSF. Her husband is also a conductor. It is interesting when you look at old ETT's. Although you may have to be a subscriber to access it, there is a map of BNSF crew districts in the Trains'Railroad Reference section under railroad maps. It is approximately 185 miles long, which was a huge accomplishment back then. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) is the largest Class I railroad in the country and is one of the two major freight railroads in Wyoming. Drawback for those that don't live near Clinton is the drive. BNSF Crew Change - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. Official site: BNSF.COM Yermo isn't much more than a wide spot in the road that the I-15 bypassed. When crews are tight on either pool at either end, they use crews out of either pool. While they have been built to provide lodging for AFHT crews, they are open to the public as well. 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). 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. And, crew change points were (and still are)not always the same for engine crews and for train crews on the same train. 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. The MBI book "BNSF Railway" has an excellent map that pinpoints all the BNSF crew change points as of 2005. Satellite view on Google maps shows a lot of empty lots in the town and I guess that the population may have been 300 to 500 at its peak. All engine crews changed in McComb; thus all passenger engine crews ran 100 miles from start to finish. Protests have taken place in cities and towns on BNSF's system, including in Gillette. The Clinton-Mo Valleylong poolhandles mostly intermodal trains. 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. We all have one thing in common: we worked at BNSF Railway or one of its predecessor railroads. All in all, it is an interesting aspect to the industry. 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. 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. .so far" thread who said that through frieghts now use only one crew, but way freights are still supplied with crews on each Sub. This year alone, BNSF is investing approximately $1 billion into the 2,200-mile Southern Transcon route. The "run through"was established in 1970, not too long before I started my railway career with CP in that area. Get the top stories in local and regional news, podcast updates, and much more straight to your inbox. Jeff, can you tell us the reason for having the two pools (short and long)? 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. Correct on the Rawlins/Green River crew change. Staying at one of the lodging motels can be interesting, but I wouldnt suggest being too inquiring these days. TEXAS, USA On Tuesday, a federal judge in Fort Worth granted BNSF, one of the nation's largest freight companies, a temporary restraining order, blocking nearly 17,000 employees from striking. 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. FOR PARTS Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18-XR 18 Inch 48 Volt Cordless Snow Blower The Milwaukee Road in the 1970s combined orchanged some crew districts, both on the Puget Sound extension and elsewhere. Some railroaders have said the policy incentivizes employees to work while sick or tired, something that Goodson can very much relate to. Helpers cut off at Palmer Lakeor Colorado Springs (Grain trains). Job Location: Mandan Other Potential Locations: Mandan, ND Anticipated Start Date: 04/10/2023 Number of Positions: 20 Salary Range: Entry rate is approx. In order to get a minimum speed of 12 or so MPH on the 0.5% ruling grades, the locomotives should have been able to maintain 25 or more MPH on level track, hence my wondering about 200 mile crew changes. Scribd is the world's largest social reading and publishing site. For nearly 170 years, BNSF has been safely and efficiently transporting freight and helping shape our country's history. Find the right person to help you with your retirement benefit questions, including health insurance, the Employee Assistance Program and payroll. Only the Clinton - Missouri Valley long pool. The heart of the yard is visible from a hill about midway . UP on the east/westline crewbases or change points are: Proviso IL, West Chicago IL (some trains), Clinton IA,Boone IA (short pool), Missouri Valley IA (Clinton long pool), Fremont NE (short pool out of Boone) North Platte NE. If I recall correctly, the Miles City to Harlowtown run was one crew district which works out to 215 miles. Back when there were foru passenger trains each way on the division,except for the City of New Orleans, passenger train crews changed southbound (the City train crews changed northbound), ran to New Orleans (Canton), then ran through McComb to Canton (New Orleans), and then back to McComb, covering 400 miles in 24 hours (and then had 24 hours off). We do not sell train simulator software. 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. Here GN 441's train entered the Glasgow Sub of the Montana Division; only 145 more miles to Big Sky Country. "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. The Super 8 was their lodging and it was set up with a computer terminal for employees to "see" the railroad and determine what their near future entailed. Learn how easy it is to become a BNSF customer. Additionally, if employees fall into the top 10 percent of hours worked, they can earn points. "There's times I'll go a week without seeing my kids [for] more than 10 to 15 minutes just because it's such a brutal policy.". Just like the highway you drive on during your morning commute, the rail route needed to continue to expand. Trenton ON was eliminated as an away from home terminal for Toronto East Pool and Smiths Falls West Pool crews. Illinois locomotive engineer describes brutal scheduling, new Crew change points on the old Santa Fe Transco Author: chicohogger. I believe it was cptrainman of the "Hunter, . It is interesting when you look at old ETT's. In Iowa, they started running Atkins, IA on the Council Bluffs main and Nahant (Davenport) on the KC line. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. Some railroads do have expanded crew districts. Opposition is mounting among workers at freight railroad BNSF to a new points-based attendance policy which management has unilaterally implemented. At the time we were having trouble going from Boone to Clinton in 12 hours. Would this be in the ballpark for the Hi Line? "We think those things are critical to protect the velocity and safety of our network," she says. 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. Which meant that many crewsmight not be able to make the far treminal on their HOS. Discussion forum related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp. 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. Then Casper and Greybull. Friends of BNSF is a community for people who have a connection to or affinity for BNSF. (Trains that continue to Ft Worth changenext at Childress but the Dalhart to Childress and Childressto Ft Worth segments are also over ambitious. I can remember when the "featherbedding" talk began, about needing to keep crews in the trains longer because the trains were faster and did they really need three men in the cab and two in the rear. Get great snapshots of railroading history in Art Petersons newest book. But apart from the policy, she said she loves her job. We're proud to tell our story and how we strive to be a trusted partner worthy of your respect. I spent quite a few summers in Miles City (my dad's home town) during the 1970's and heard Harlowton mentioned quite a few times, but don't recall hearing about Melstone. This line is known as the Seligman Subdivision, and stretches between Winslow, AZ, and Needles, CA, both of which are crew change Harvey and Enderlin, ND; Glenwood, Thief River Falls, and Minneapolis/St. Many owe their existence to it. Does the UP still have a Proviso to Boone long pool? But I hear it is coming. Open navigation menu Crew Change Points : Needles, Winslow Yards: Needles, Winslow Junctions @ West Williams, Phoenix Sub (BNSF) MP 375.0 Highest point: 7,322 ft @ Arizona Divide. Some are overlays on existing crew districts for certain type trains, intermodal for example. BNSF's Needles Sub Map and Railfan Info - TrainWeb.org Now, nearly 100 percent of the route is double-tracked; only two bridges remain single-tracked along the route. Terms Of Use | Notice at Collection | Privacy | 2022 BNSF Railway Company. BNSF is forever proud of its heritage and history, and we combine that with a never-ending drive to explore new technologies and approaches where appropriate to enhance safety and efficiency. Seattle / Spokane / Hauser, ID / Whitefish, MT / Havre, MT / Glasgow, MT / Minot, ND / Fargo, ND / MSP, MN / La Crosse, WI / Chicago . Rail Network Maps | BNSF But crew change locations make a logical place to start and end activities. Whenthe pool was smaller, you had to have about 30 years in to hold it. It has brought morale down to an all-time low.". Highlighting our commitment to safety, service, innovation, people, communities and our heritage. Don't know if he's going to range all the way up to PRB coal country or west into Utah. Just west of Minot, the train rolled over the 1792-foot-long, 117-foot-tall Gassman Coulee Trestle, one of many high steel bridges on the GN. Rail is the most environmentally efficient mode of surface transportation and at BNSF we are committed to improving the efficiency of our network in a way that benefits both our customers and the environment. LEARN MORE Tribal Relations. Men in road service on the Louisiana Division of the IC were based in McComb, Mississippi, which is about 100 miles from New Orleans and from Canton, Mississippi--and about 149 miles from Gwin, Mississippi, on the route through the Delta(the last two were junctions with the Tennessee Division) Passenger trains ran between Canton and New Orleans, and through freights ran between Gwin and New Orleans, on the Louisiana Division. This doesn't mean that runs were only 100 miles then or 130 miles now. According to Knutson, taking time off for a doctor or dental appointment can cost an employee several points. UP on the east/west line crew bases or change points are: Proviso IL, West Chicago IL (some trains), Clinton IA, Boone IA (short pool), Missouri Valley IA (Clinton long pool), Fremont NE (short pool out of Boone) North Platte NE. 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. 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. Some crew change points were simply the points at which one railroad had a junction with another. ), > * Cheyenne east: North Platte> * Cheyenne west: Rawlins (Green River for hotshots? I'm sure that longer crew districts in other places are coming Our community is FREE to join. .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 have to look thru some stuff, but I think they used to change at Melstone, MT. Things changed since Sept 11, 2001. Today, 41 years later and the HOS at 12 hours (changed Dec. 26, 1972) the crew usually do not have trouble making it from SLO to LA (which is still inter-divisional, but only a one ended pool). If this is your first visit, welcome to TrainSim.Com! Would this be the right list for the Transcon? A couple less employees to receive benefits. > > BNSF crew changes:> * Denver east: used to be in Akron, CO, but I think they moved it all> the way out to McCook, NE. BNSF crew changes:* Denver east: used to be in Akron, CO, but I think they moved it all the way out to McCook, NE. (While not directly owned, supposedly the ownership has ties to the UP.) Crew change points on the old Santa Fe Transcon? Or even less: As late as the 1990s, there were still a few crew changes in the middle-of-nowhere, consisting of only a few sidings, a crew dormitory, and a 24-hour lunchroom. Lately, they are alsohandling most of the auto racks and one Q manifest. That's in addition to the $3.3 billion we invested between 2013 and 2017. This website is best viewed in Chrome or Safari. The "run through"was established in 1970, not too long before I started my railway career with CP in that area. Then Alliance, NE? How a BNSF policy could impact families and supply chain / KC / Ft. Madison / Chicago. Zug, I still enjoy talking with railroad employees, but I am very careful about initiating conversations. Sterling, then Guernsey for most trains, Alliancethen Edgemont, Gillette, Sheridan if they are going that way. The western end of the Hi-Line should read like this; Interbay (Seattle)-Wentachee, WA.-Hauser, ID-Whitefish, MT.-Shelby, MT.-Havre, MT. Looking for a media contact within BNSF? The mainliners just blast through town. Other changes on the PCE were Alberton, MT to St. Maries, ID and St. Maries, ID to Othello, WA. The Southern Transcon has been continually enhanced to accommodate the evolving needs of freight and passenger rail. CP never owned any of those ginormous tenders like the Santa Fe had to get across the arid areas they served. Since 2001, BNSF has eliminated districts running to Eugene, Ore., Helena, Mont., Quanah, Texas, Mobile, Ala., and International Falls, Minn. Highlighting our commitment to safety, service, communities and our heritage. The contract has major safety implicationsespecially amid North America's dangerous, and sometimes deadly, crude-by-rail boom. Alaska Railfanning / My ARR Photos on Flickr. 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. I imagine the Lee-miester isa busy camper these days, like everybody on UP. We didn't linger too long for obvious reasons. Dickinson crews still run locals between New Salem and Beach including the ever growing rail hub of RICHARDTON ND. It just affects the waythe train crew's pay is calculated. Plus a new pool might be in place to handle the New Baltimore intermodal terminal. Here we demonstrate how BNSF's legacy makes us confident in our future. "We used to be able to take five weekdays, two weekend days a month off at our discretion and since the implementation of the Hi-Viz policy," she explained. 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. 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. > > UP crew changes:> * Denver east: no idea> * Denver south: Pueblo> * Denver west: Bond, then Grand Junction> * Denver north: Cheyenne> * Pueblo south: same as BNSF, presumably, No, only one crew Pueblo to Dalhart. Find images, videos and PDFs that help tell you more about BNSF. This web site is for you if you are interested in railway simulations. Which meant that many crewsmight not be able to make the far treminal on their HOS. It just affects the waythe train crew's pay is calculated. Staying at one of the lodging motels can be interesting, but I wouldnt suggest being too inquiring these days. In February, BNSF instituted an attendance policy known as Hi-Viz, which drew immediate criticism from employees and railroad unions. Classic Railroad Scenes: Railroads at Work. 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. Good threads on this string. Meanwhile, BNSF is spending $581 million this year to forge . Are you developing a new facility or looking to expand? No? Anyone on the seniority district can work the pool, assumingthey have the seniority. But when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway established what became known as the Southern Transcon route in the 1880s, parts of the Southwest were now accessible with relative ease. > * Cheyenne west: Rawlins (Green River for hotshots? When they eventually finish their Blair and Clinton projects(not any time soon) I expect a push tochange the crew districts. I was wondering about crewchangepoints along the UP and BNSF in the Midwest. Most of those are of a standard BNSF design; the center piece, providing 23 feet, 6 inches of clearance over the lower main line, is an 87 four-girden deck-plate steel span. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. This was a 4-mile, single-track chokepoint until March 2011, when the railroad completed a 30-month, $85 million effort to push through a second track. 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. "With over 17 million intermodal loads transported by rail annually, BNSF's Southern Transcon is one of several key routes for the movement of goods from Southern California to Chicago," said Joni Casey, president and CEO, Intermodal Association of North America. If anybody could help me out, that would be awesome. 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. 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 sure that longer crew districts in other places are coming Our community is FREE to join. She apologized andI pardoned her and let her go on to wherever it was she needed to go quickly. In Iowa, they started running Atkins, IA on the Council Bluffs main and Nahant (Davenport) on the KC line. LA / Barstow/ Needles / Seligman? As trains have become faster, many intermediate terminals have been dissolved, with the trains running through. 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. 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. 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. Crew districts are not static. erikem Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. Ogden, Salt Lake Cityor Pocatello is after Green River. In order to get a minimum speed of 12 or so MPH on the 0.5% ruling grades, the locomotives should have been able to maintain 25 or more MPH on level track, hence my wondering about 200 mile crew changes. Crew Change Points, Belen to Barstow; Discussion related to BNSF operations. 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. Although you may have to be a subscriber to access it, there is a map of BNSF crew districts in the Trains'Railroad Reference section under railroad maps. In the early 1970's the law was changed to 14 hours and subsequently todays 12 hours. It employs about 40,000 people and operates in 28 states on over 32,000 miles of track throughout its system. Railroads & Locomotives Maps BNSF Railway crew districts. Amazing the mass of RR knowledge amongst the members of this forum. Use this page to find the right person at BNSF to answer your supplier questions. http://www.oaktreeinn.com/Hotels is a current list of hotels. (Which I don't happen to remember.). For some reason, I always thought crew change points were determined by how long it took to get there. BNSF Crew Change Points - Trainorders.com Discussion If you would like more information on any of the subjects contained in this section, please feel free to contact us. This BNSF rail division sees some of the highest tonnage freight traffic in the world (over 100 million tons annually. National Rail Contract Archives - SMART Union Our vision is to realize BNSF's tremendous potential by providing transportation services that consistently meet our customers expectations. 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. Currently, it's possible to make Clinton and tie up within 6 hours on duty, on a coal train no less. The 100 mile day was based on how far you would travel in 8 hours at a speed of 12.5 mph. One thing to remember is there are some long and some short pools. Some trains that go into LPC or to the connecting roads like the CSX, IHB, BRC, and NS change out at Savanna. where are they south of La Crosse? 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. Or, did they get rid of it because there was too much congestion / delays east of Clinton? CP never owned any of those ginormous tenders like the Santa Fe had to get across the arid areas they served. Thanks very much guys. The unions were able to get the UP to agree to leave Boone as home terminal for the Rochelle - Boone pools, but shortly thereafter the railroad dropped the whole idea.