NW cannonball
Conductor
Most of the summer up to now the west bound Builder has sat at SPUD for at least 20 minutes or 30 or more.
Now, last few weeks # 7 arrives and departs in 10-15 minutes, not the 20-30 minutes.
#7 still has the unusual consist with not only 2 Seattle sleepers and 2 Seattle coaches, but also 2 Portland Sleepers (which I've not seen before) and 2 Portland coaches.
But somehow they get out of SPUD sooner -- less dwell time -- get the passengers on-board 5-10 minutes quicker.
And, last night, I saw at Saint Anthony interlocking where the EB joins the BNSF main (near my home)
the conductor who had to throw a switch to join the BNSF main -- actually moved fast and like "skipped" across some yard tracks.
So, I fear maybe pressure ? On Amtrak workers to move faster? Maybe good, maybe not so good?
But definitely work going faster near SPUD.
Now, last few weeks # 7 arrives and departs in 10-15 minutes, not the 20-30 minutes.
#7 still has the unusual consist with not only 2 Seattle sleepers and 2 Seattle coaches, but also 2 Portland Sleepers (which I've not seen before) and 2 Portland coaches.
But somehow they get out of SPUD sooner -- less dwell time -- get the passengers on-board 5-10 minutes quicker.
And, last night, I saw at Saint Anthony interlocking where the EB joins the BNSF main (near my home)
the conductor who had to throw a switch to join the BNSF main -- actually moved fast and like "skipped" across some yard tracks.
So, I fear maybe pressure ? On Amtrak workers to move faster? Maybe good, maybe not so good?
But definitely work going faster near SPUD.
