Get the answers to the questions most commonly asked about BNSF. They also handle (normally) the salad shooters. Or, did they get rid of it because there was too much congestion / delays east of Clinton? Some trains that go into LPC or to the connecting roads like the CSX, IHB, BRC, and NS change out at Savanna. Radio Frequencies: AAR 55, 160.935, DS-10, Winslow to Seligman; AAR 36 160.650 DS-11 Seligman to Topock; AAR 55 160.935 Topock to Needles. (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.). While it may not save the railroad money on wages, it saves them on the cost of benefits. Jeff, can you tell us the reason for having the two pools (short and long)? 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. 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. That's in addition to the $3.3 billion we invested between 2013 and 2017. You there, Mr. Lee? Additionally, if employees fall into the top 10 percent of hours worked, they can earn points. It would mark a dramatic change to a labor contract that covers about 3,000 workers, or 60 percent of the BNSF system. Other changes on the PCE were Alberton, MT to St. Maries, ID and St. Maries, ID to Othello, WA. Seven miles west is Minot, North Dakota, an Amtrak station stop where all trains change crews. 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. The "run through"was established in 1970, not too long before I started my railway career with CP in that area. The railroad said they made no changes to how much time off an employee receives. Trenton ON was eliminated as an away from home terminal for Toronto East Pool and Smiths Falls West Pool crews. 15. Originally theyhad the hot trains, with the lesser ones going to the short pool. Find the right person to help you with your retirement benefit questions, including health insurance, the Employee Assistance Program and payroll. Then in 1972 (after the HOS was changed to 14 hours, Dec. 26, 1970) the company decided to open up an inter-divisional run fromLA to San Luis Obispo), and have us do it in 14 hours, which really worked good. Some were/are longer, some were/are shorter. This is part one of a video I made on my tour 8 across the country 2018 stopping in Needles California at the BNSF train yard to catch one of the many trains. 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. I was wondering about crewchangepoints along the UP and BNSF in the Midwest. I have to look thru some stuff, but I think they used to change at Melstone, MT. Re: BNSF Crew Change Points Author: BN7149 The railroad is run as an East-West route. "A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable. Othello, WA to Tacoma, WA, running thru Cle Elum was also instituted. As trains have become faster, many intermediate terminals have been dissolved, with the trains running through. Maybe an old BN expert can help us here, but didn't BN change some crew districts in Montana to run up to 450 miles? Forsome railroaders getting in on the other end, actually either end, the first thing they think about is beer. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. Why Sign In? Log in to the Employee Portal to access safety rulebooks, pay and benefits information, sign up for training opportunities and more. It just affects the waythe train crew's pay is calculated. Since 2001, BNSF has eliminated districts running to Eugene, Ore., Helena, Mont., Quanah, Texas, Mobile, Ala., and International Falls, Minn. myemployer, any other railroad, company, or person. Zug, I still enjoy talking with railroad employees, but I am very careful about initiating conversations. * Denver south: Pueblo* Pueblo south: Trinidad? > anything I'm missing. Many times after the adoptionof the 130 mile day, the terminals didn't change. Welcome to the BNSF Railway at Edgemont South Dakota website. They needed the people because they didn't have them.". Long pools for some runs where Intermodals can skip crew changes, but slower freights can't. Don't worry, we won't send you too many. The satellite view clearly shows impressions of a turntable and roundhouse across the highway from the town. I'm sure that longer crew districts in other places are coming Our community is FREE to join. Helpers cut off at Palmer Lakeor Colorado Springs (Grain trains). 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. Every scheduled train from First Class passenger trains to Fourth Class freights had a scheduled stop for water at Bassano. 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. If you would like more information on any of the subjects contained in this section, please feel free to contact us. This doesn't mean that runs were only 100 miles then or 130 miles now. This year alone, BNSF is investing approximately $1 billion into the 2,200-mile Southern Transcon route. All engine crews changed in McComb; thus all passenger engine crews ran 100 miles from start to finish. Here we highlight stories centered on our safety culture and why it is ingrained in everything we do. Note that the Puget Sound Extension and the WP were built in the 1905-1910 time frame and train speeds were up significantly from 30 to 40 years earlier. Staying at one of the lodging motels can be interesting, but I wouldnt suggest being too inquiring these days. Back in the 60's, the SP had a run out of Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, CA. At the time we were having trouble going from Boone to Clinton in 12 hours. The dispatchers were forced to make better meets, yardmasters to get trains out of the yards better and so on. Lately, they are alsohandling most of the auto racks and one Q manifest. Thanks for joining us! It is interesting when you look at old ETT's. 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. 16. The home terminal is the place where the crew normally goes to work; usually, its where the crew members live. 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. from Calgary to Medicine Hat, AB, created in 1910. (Trains that continue to Ft Worth changenext at Childress but the Dalhart to Childress and Childressto Ft Worth segments are also over ambitious. Thanks in advance for your help. Not every crew change point has one (Mason City, IA may be getting one in the future) but except for the few in the eastern US, all are UP crew change points. 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. I think the Miles City to Harlowton run was one of them. It employs about 40,000 people and operates in 28 states on over 32,000 miles of track throughout its system. 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. 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. Vancouver, WA or Pasco, WA-Wishram, WA-Bend, OR-Klamath Falls, OR-Keddie, CA-Stockton, CA? Here are> some places I know they run helpers at least occassionally:> > * BNSF/UP: Denver to Palmer Lake. Many owe their existence to it. Othello, WA to Tacoma, WA, running thru Cle Elum was also instituted. Not every crew change point has one (Mason City, IA may be getting one in the future) but except for the few in the eastern US, all are UP crew change points. One thing to remember is there are some long and some short pools. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. * Pueblo east: ??? / Belen / Clovis / Avard? "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. Welcome to the BNSF newsroom. Under the new policy, which is slated to. Today, the Southern Transcon is the primary route for BNSF's intermodal franchise. If an employee exhausts all of their points, they can be terminated. Don't know if he's going to range all the way up to PRB coal country or west into Utah. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of. Something unheard of even 5 years ago, just before the bottom dropped out. He said the policy is very stringent. jeffhergert Which meant that many crewsmight not be able to make the far treminal on their HOS. 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. No, Rawlins is still a crew change point for all trains 50 mph and less. For pay purposes,a basic day is 130 miles, up from the original 100 mile day for freight. 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. I listen to the CSX on my scanner and often the dispatcher will ask if they are a Garrett or Williard crew. Anyone on the seniority district can work the pool, assumingthey have the seniority. If. Hugh Cook is Wyoming Public Radio's Northeast Reporter, based in Gillette. > * Pueblo east: ?? Zug, you guys must have really been tired. BNSFs Economic Development team can help guide you through the process of expanding, developing or selecting a site. I think the Miles City to Harlowton run was one of them. From then to now trains on this subdivision are crewed by running trades employees whose home terminals are at Toronto and Smiths Falls. The crew change point on the South Transcon is Wellington Kan, Amarillo Texas Belen New Mexico Needles California Barstow, California (on some trains) Fresno, California Stockton California--also some trains change crews at Bakersfield, California Maybe others can fill in Dale Smith [ Reply To This Message ] [ Quote ] Date: 09/07/16 19:16 You can rely on BNSFs team of experts to help educate you on the benefits of incorporating our rail network into your supply chain. 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. If I recall correctly, the Miles City to Harlowtown run was one crew district which works out to 215 miles. Raton, NM??? Five years ago, a conductor on the Southwest Chief initiated a conversation with me when, as I was standing in the aisle outside the room my wife and I occupied, she ran into my arms. Things changed since Sept 11, 2001. The Milwaukee Road in the 1970s combined orchanged some crew districts, both on the Puget Sound extension and elsewhere. While they have been built to provide lodging for AFHT crews, they are open to the public as well. Good threads on this string. "I would love to get whoever made this policy happen or said okay to it to come and join us for a week on how it is day to day," she urged. Seattle / Spokane / Hauser, ID / Whitefish, MT / Havre, MT / Glasgow, MT / Minot, ND / Fargo, ND / MSP, MN / La Crosse, WI / Chicago . Men in chain gang freightservice preferred being called in McCombfor a run to Gwin, since it was farther than a run to New Orleans. The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota. Would this be the right list for the Transcon? 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. 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. 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. Barstow CA. Classic Railroad Scenes: Railroads at Work. Railroads & Locomotives Maps BNSF Railway crew districts. 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 (While not directly owned, supposedly the ownership has ties to the UP.) Bassano was located at almost the exact halfway point on the Sub. 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. When they eventually finish their Blair and Clinton projects(not any time soon) I expect a push tochange the crew districts. But I hear it is coming. Would this be in the ballpark for the Hi Line? Then Casper and Greybull. (200+ miles?). Heres where one railroads train crews go to work, where they lay over, and the tangled routes in between. Allan_Love_Jr Aug 26, 2007. Many times after the adoptionof the 130 mile day, the terminals didn't change. 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. 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. 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. Correct, the hours of service were changed as follows: 16 hours to 14 hours on December 26, 1970, 14 hours to 12 hours on December 26, 1972. Usually though, a long pool crew on trains that normally go to the short pool will still change out at Boone and theLP crew will continue on to the other end in a van. The Western Pacific also had some ~200 mile crew districts. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. Today's BNSF Railway is the product of nearly 400 different railroad lines that merged or were acquired over the course of 170 years. Usually though, a long pool crew on trains that normally go to the short pool will still change out at Boone and theLP crew will continue on to the other end in a van. I know one is La Crosse, WI and I'm guessing those crews run to the Twin Cities. Goodson said that if employees work on the weekends, they can earn a single point to add to their total. Crew change points on the old Santa Fe Transco Author: chicohogger. Are you developing a new facility or looking to expand? > > BNSF crew changes:> * Denver east: used to be in Akron, CO, but I think they moved it all> the way out to McCook, NE. 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. The Western Pacific also had some ~200 mile crew districts. jeffhergert Charlie TrainBoard Member. BNSF is a critical link that connects consumers with the global marketplace. Amazing the mass of RR knowledge amongst the members of this forum. November 3, 2022 INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, (Nov. 3, 2022) The BLET and SMART-TD will host a joint town hall meeting next week to discuss the tentative national rail agreement. Also Portal, ND and Noyes, MN, but that is because thay are also Country change points(Canada/US border). > * Cheyenne west: Rawlins (Green River for hotshots? Ideally, a crew goes on duty, gets its paperwork, gets out of the yard, reaches its destination, and ties up comfortably within the maximum 12 hours on duty allowed by the federal hours-of-service law. Back to CP for a moment, Calgary-Edmonton, AB is broken into two Sub's.,Red Deer and Leduc, totaling about 180 miles. Good threads on this string. erikem 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. where are they south of La Crosse? Thanks to all the responses so far--both here in the newsgroup and viaemail. -Ryan [ Reply To This Message ] [ Quote ] Date: 07/18/07 21:48 Crew Change Points, Belen to Barstow; Discussion related to BNSF operations. BNSF moves about a third of all intermodal volume in North America. 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. The 100 mile day was based on how far you would travel in 8 hours at a speed of 12.5 mph. Official site: BNSF.COM I believe it was cptrainman of the "Hunter, . This line is known as the Seligman Subdivision, and stretches between Winslow, AZ, and Needles, CA, both of which are crew change "This policy, that they have now, cut that in half and in half. While they have been built to provide lodging for AFHT crews, they are open to the public as well. 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. Frisco always changed freight crews at Newburg, MO but my grandpa as passenger conductor changed at Monett, MO, which was farther down the line. 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. A couple less employees to receive benefits. Barstow CA. ), then Ogden? BNSF's secure customer website enables shipment tracking, bill payment, and more. 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. His perigrinations may take him intoneighboring parts of Wyoming and New Mexico, possibly Nebraska orKansas, too. .so far" thread who said that through frieghts now use only one crew, but way freights are still supplied with crews on each Sub. With only one curve sharper than 3 degrees between the two points, the track alignment was well suited for 50 to 60 MPH freight running - though track maintenance may have been another story. In older times, it would take much longer as the trains were slower. Find images, videos and PDFs that help tell you more about BNSF. > * Denver west (UP trackage rights): do they go all the way to Grand> Junction or do they change at Bond again like UP does? Then Alliance, NE? Raton, NM??? At BNSF, nothing is more important than safety. BNSF plays a vital role in our economys supply chain, moving freight across our nation every day. 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. The pandemic caused people to be out sick more often causing labor shortages. I'm a teetotaler, so that thought is never on my mind. Anyone on the seniority district can work the pool, assumingthey have the seniority. About ten years ago the railroad proposed moving almost everyone from Boone to Rochelle. In Gillette, she said they have just two new hires compared to 18 that have left since the Hi-Viz policy was implemented. > * Denver south: Pueblo> * Pueblo south: Trinidad? Curiosity about Melstone got to me and found out that it now has a population of 96, down from 136 in 2000. During April many coal mtys will govia Cheyenne to the Orin line while the tunnel west of Guernseyis being day lighted. Crew changes can happen anywhere of course, but crews do frequently change in Savanna, IL which is the convergence of the C&I line to Chicago and the Barstow Sub south to Galesburg. In days past, the away terminal was often a remote hamlet in between two cities. I find it ironic that the MILW expandend some of their districts just as deferredmaintenance caused speeds to drop. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Zug, I still enjoy talking with railroad employees, but I am very careful about initiating conversations. Bassano was located at almost the exact halfway point on the Sub. But I hear it is coming. 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. This is via La Junta,they can't go via Trinidad. So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll. Looking for a media contact within BNSF? No? Would this be the right list for the Transcon? For instance, if I took off every other Sunday, no other days, I would be dismissed by the end of the year.". BNSF doesnt just move freight; we connect with people and communities along the way. Union Pacific's crew change point is Yermo, a few miles east of Barstow. For some reason, I always thought crew change points were determined by how long it took to get there. Or, did they get rid of it because there was too much congestion / delays east of Clinton? I imagine the Lee-miester isa busy camper these days, like everybody on UP. "It was a way to limit time off even though they didn't have a lot of people and they needed a lot of people," said Knutson. Open navigation menu Each intermodal train carries as much freight as 280 trucks, helping alleviate congestion on our nation's highways. The contents of those containers and trailers range from everyday items like clothes, appliances and TVs to the special gift you ordered online for your mother's birthday. I recall seeing a Steffee speed survey (mid-1960's?) BNSF Editor CTC Board Magazine [ Reply To This Message ] Date: 01/10/02 19:00 Thanks Author: dbm. Our community is FREE to join. Join Today! 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. Seems I recall a map in trains a while back showing this. Maybe an old BN expert can help us here, but didn't BN change some crew districts in Montana to run up to 450 miles? Discussion related to BNSF operations. Amarillo is a crew change point, so there is a lot of activity along the city's rail lines. With only one curve sharper than 3 degrees between the two points, the track alignment was well suited for 50 to 60 MPH freight running - though track maintenance may have been another story. 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! * Denver northeast: Sterling, CO? Sign-up for email today! She also said some of the claims that BNSF is making, especially in regard to working hours, time off, and leave, are misleading. I doubt many trains could've made the extra 70 or so miles to Rochelle on their hours. Find the right person at BNSF to help you. 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. She said the policy isn't compassionate toward employees. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Harvey and Enderlin, ND; Glenwood, Thief River Falls, and Minneapolis/St. Some railroads do have expanded crew districts. Some are overlays on existing crew districts for certain type trains, intermodal for example. There are quite a few who live in central Iowa and drive 200 miles to work the pool. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of. Here is what I think I know about some of the crew districts andhelper districts in and around Colorado. Each employee begins with 30 points for a career, Knutson said. Get the top stories in local and regional news, podcast updates, and much more straight to your inbox. Which meant that many crewsmight not be able to make the far treminal on their HOS. Curiosity about Melstone got to me and found out that it now has a population of 96, down from 136 in 2000. Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Lately, they are alsohandling most of the auto racks and one Q manifest. When crews are tight on either pool at either end, they use crews out of either pool. I listen to the CSX on my scanner and often the dispatcher will ask if they are a Garrett or Williard crew. Some railroads do have expanded crew districts. Also Geographically the Twin Cities would be north of La Crosse what does BNSF consider it (are trains from Chicago to the twin Cities northbound or westbound?) Harvey and Enderlin, ND; Glenwood, Thief River Falls, and Minneapolis/St. * Denver north:. It just affects the waythe train crew's pay is calculated. If I had not already packed my 1893 Guide in preparation for moving, I could give you the name of each road. 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* Cheyenne east: North Platte* Cheyenne west: Rawlins (Green River for hotshots? Get in touch with us using the Media Contacts list on the left. "However, just last week, I sat down in Guernsey for 27 hours in the hotel waiting to come home.". I thought they also did a UPcrew district map too, but I may be thinking about a map on the UP company website. This web site is for you if you are interested in railway simulations. We are committed to proactively identify, attract and develop long-term partnerships with certified minority, woman and veteran-owned and small disadvantaged businesses, while fulfilling BNSF Vision and Values. The 100 mile day was based on how far you would travel in 8 hours at a speed of 12.5 mph. Approaches to the bridge had to stay under the ruling grade for the area of 1.4%. The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota. Whenthe pool was smaller, you had to have about 30 years in to hold it. 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. LA - Barstow - Needles - Kingman - Winslow - Belen - Clovis - Amarillo - Wellington - Kansas City - Ft. Madison - Chicago for the fast trains, some additional crew changes for manifest trains. The heart of the yard is visible from a hill about midway . Allan_Love_Jr TrainBoard Member. They seem to use the Williard crews for the long distance intermodals (from east coast) and Williards for the manifests and commodity trains. Dickinson crews still run locals between New Salem and Beach including the ever growing rail hub of RICHARDTON ND. To participate you must either login or register for an account. So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. One of my easterly buddies is coming to Colorado for some extensiverailfanning this spring. More than 50% of train crew employees work less than 40 hours a week on average. All engine crews changed in McComb; thus all passenger engine crews ran 100 miles from start to finish.