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Yes in all issues except saftydenmarks said:
battalion51
Engineer
There are exceptions that I understand us sitting in the whole for. Any Commuter Train Interference (CTI) is acceptable IMHO, since 5 minutes makes a lot bigger difference to those Commuters than it does to the average Amtrak passenger, and CT's usually have many more people on board. Also situations where a train legitimately is short on time, like within half an hour of dying and being 29 minutes from base. The 6 hours from base, and you stick us in the hole doesnt hold water to me.
AmtrakFan
Conductor
Yes they should unless there is a valid reason.
battalion51
Engineer
I'm sure to some Freight RR's a Hot UPS is a valid reason. :lol:
Actually that's probably one of the few freight trains, beyond say the Tropicana juice train, that is regularly scheduled. UPS contracts require the train to be on the move at a certain time each night from their depots and to arrive at a certain time.Sam Damon said:
AlohaAlanB said:
that interesting, Ice Capades gave up on rail because in 1976 the railroads would not gaurentee overnight between Hartford and NYC. And They had passenger equiped cars for their scenery.
cbender
Service Attendant
Well, I voted 'NO', and I see I was the only one. Here's my justification:
I use Amtrak all the time, and I think it provides a necessary service to the country. However, it's hard to get around the fact that the freight railroads own most of the intercity tracks, and as the saying goes: ownership is 9/10s of the law. As I see it, the freights are not one big monopoly trying to exert dominance over the industry (think Microsoft, Ma Bell), and so they aren't going to fall into any of those legal loopholes, requiring them to act in a certain way.
That said, if the question had been worded something like: 'Should the freight railroads face monetary penalties for delaying passenger trains by more than xxx minutes/hours?', then I would have voted yes.
The law should be structured no differently than most tenant/landlord statues. For example, if my apartment heat goes out and my landlord fails to repair it within a certain short timeframe, I can have it fixed myself, and withhold the cost from my rent.
If the freight railroads are going to rent their tracks to passenger lines (ie. Amtrak, and the 'land cruise' companies), then those freight railroads should be responsible for what is traveling on their tracks. If passengers need to be compensated, and the freight line is responsible for the delay, then the freight line should pony up the compensation, at the least.
In other words, if the freight lines (who are essentially landlords) want to delay Amtrak trains, then that's fine. However, they should be prepared to pay a penalty to do so. If their freight is more valuable to them than the penalty, then it may be in their best business interest to delay Amtrak. However, I doubt that this would be the case too often.
I use Amtrak all the time, and I think it provides a necessary service to the country. However, it's hard to get around the fact that the freight railroads own most of the intercity tracks, and as the saying goes: ownership is 9/10s of the law. As I see it, the freights are not one big monopoly trying to exert dominance over the industry (think Microsoft, Ma Bell), and so they aren't going to fall into any of those legal loopholes, requiring them to act in a certain way.
That said, if the question had been worded something like: 'Should the freight railroads face monetary penalties for delaying passenger trains by more than xxx minutes/hours?', then I would have voted yes.
The law should be structured no differently than most tenant/landlord statues. For example, if my apartment heat goes out and my landlord fails to repair it within a certain short timeframe, I can have it fixed myself, and withhold the cost from my rent.
If the freight railroads are going to rent their tracks to passenger lines (ie. Amtrak, and the 'land cruise' companies), then those freight railroads should be responsible for what is traveling on their tracks. If passengers need to be compensated, and the freight line is responsible for the delay, then the freight line should pony up the compensation, at the least.
In other words, if the freight lines (who are essentially landlords) want to delay Amtrak trains, then that's fine. However, they should be prepared to pay a penalty to do so. If their freight is more valuable to them than the penalty, then it may be in their best business interest to delay Amtrak. However, I doubt that this would be the case too often.
haolerider
Conductor
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2004
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- 1,436
Yes, it was mandated at the time of the creation of Amtrak, however it has been coventiently ignored by everyone. The politicians choose to ignore those laws or regulations that may have a negative affect on those who give them campaign contributions - and Amtrak does not have any kind of an effective lobby.
Amtrak's initial authorization expired nearly 10 years ago. Since then, it has been up to Amtrak to negotiate contracts with individual host railroads, and provide for their own negotiated incentive/penalty system for on-time performance.haolerider said:
battalion51
Engineer
Depending on the railroad, most trains actually are scheduled. The system moves a lot better that way since meets can be planned, crews can be kept in good rotation, etc. Now there will be cases when stuff is delayed, or whatever, but most railroads these days are scheduled.AlanB said:
Alohadenmarks said:
Didn't the taxpayers pay for that land so that we could have a rails system and fill the pockets of rail barrons. :lol:
G
Guest
Guest
NS has melted down again between CHI-PGH, apparently...
30(12) and 30(13) ran over six and over four hours late into PGH...
30(12) and 30(13) ran over six and over four hours late into PGH...
Alohacolewa said:
When I sign a contract it says the curtain goes up at 8Pm, and it does whatever it takes. Or 2:30 if it is a matinee
Last chance to vote before I unpin this topic, as it's two weeks at the top of the board are up.
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