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For suggestion or comments contact Dan Reed via E-Mail
Changes, changes, changes. Directional Traffic has really turned this yard around. Most California business (IDALB) is now running from Dallas west to Fort Worth and no longer going south out of Dallas to San Antonio. Even the Houston (MDAHO) is running to Fort Worth and south to Valley Junction instead of to Hearne.
Miller Yard employees have worked the entire year without any personal injuries,MYO Drew Vialpando reports. However, I think it's funny that although we're under the Fort Worth Service Unit, we're also under East Texas so we don't qualify for either safety bonus?
We have learned that another big change is the Miller Yard Ramp will be closing. All Ramp business will be handled at Mesquite. Miller Yard will be the primary freight switching yard for Dallas. It's too early to predict other ramification from these two moves. Originally, the plan was for the Miller Ramp to remain open and handle North - South loading and Mesquite Ramp to handle East - West Loading.
I have been working Fort Worth to Hearne Directional Traffic. Basically, we are deadheading to Hearne to cover the "Ghost" Trains that are generated by the TCS computer site. We stay down there held away many unnecessary hours and then in some cases deadhead back home.
UP crews seem to be working down to Valley Junction and then deadheading home. At this rate no one will ever get qualified.
I thought we were going to double crew all trains, as manpower would permit, until we were all qualified. No wonder we're so short of people and everyone wants to lay off when they get home. When you lay around Hearne for 36 hours at a time you don't have any home life.
My wife's comments go like this: "What do you mean you're first out again? You just got home! You've been gone two days and your going to get back out in five more hours? We might as well move down there."
Something else, If Engineer's operating a train can't copy TWC or DTC authority, then WHY HAVE ALL THE RADIO HANDSETS BEEN REMOVED FROM OUR ENGINES? The last three trips, the conductor has had to stand in the way of the brake handles on the control stand and in my way in order to talk on the radio. This is unsafe and unnecessary. Who ever is responsible, please put the handsets back on the radios. An engine should not be allowed out of the service track without a radio handset.
HOW smart are you - REALLY? READ this sentence:
Finished files are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years.
Now, count aloud the F's in that sentence. Count them ONLY ONCE; do not go back and count them again.
For the answer, Click HERE
Dan is an engineer working out of Broadway Yard.
11-97