Here we go, NS taking preemptive action

[mu26aeh]

Shutdown of bulk, intermodal and auto transport begins this week

http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/shipping-tools/shipping-news-and-alerts/bulk--intermodal--and-automotive-service-updates.html?fbclid=IwAR3T1fXJHI-QwtWe1GJAWIDwttw-_xeikKLrmGMOyho7A2Z3DCXtz_HNrmM

[dem34]

I see the Conrail 2 speedrun has commenced.

[signalmaintainer]

Shutdown of bulk, intermodal and auto transport begins this week

http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/shipping-tools/shipping-news-and-alerts/bulk--intermodal--and-automotive-service-updates.html?fbclid=IwAR3T1fXJHI-QwtWe1GJAWIDwttw-_xeikKLrmGMOyho7A2Z3DCXtz_HNrmM

Whatever NS says, the real reason is to scare Congress into pressuring BLET and SMART-TD to capitulate to the PEB's recommendations.

Ten of the 12 unions have tentative agreements which members now must ratify. BLET and SMART-TD don't have TAs yet. And some unions might not ratify.

From "Railway Age" article published today:

"Rail carriers -- clumsier even than British comic-actor Mr. Bean in their interpersonal relationships with employees -- so carpet-bombed worker morale and employer loyalty in recent years that ratification of tentative agreements reached (or on the cusp of reaching) by 10 of 12 unions is heavily tainted with probability of member rejection.

"Worse is that the carrier relationship with members of the two largest rail labor unions -- representing train conductors and locomotive engineers-- is so contemptible that members are beseeching their leaders for permission to 'shut 'em down,' creating little incentive to reach even a tentative agreement that would face a Mount Everest-height hurdle of being ratified."

Either way I'm planning on not working this Friday. Either I'll be on strike or respecting the operating crafts' picket lines.

[w neal]

Maybe the only trains running in Altoona will be N scale this weekend.

[mu26aeh]

Sept 15th is deadline.  Hearing from multiple people 00:01am they're walking.  Going to be eerily quiet on the curve

[TLOC]

As a retiree, a stock holder in rail and someone who worked my last 21 years in a upper management position the Unions have to follow up and strike. They have been so disrespected, so walked on that do to anything else after the past 3 years of labor abuse is absurd.

Let Management go to Congress and the President. I do not see how Mr. Biden can order the workers back but at the same time can he let the “supply chain” get messed up even more then what management has already done?

2 mile long trains with a 2 person crew is insane, how will it be with a 1 person crew. How many life’s and injuries will it take to wake up Management

I fully support the Unions in this cause.

[signalmaintainer]

Sept 15th is deadline.  Hearing from multiple people 00:01am they're walking.  Going to be eerily quiet on the curve

Actually, it's 0001 EDT Sept. 16. Can't get here soon enough either way.

[dem34]

Maybe the only trains running in Altoona will be N scale this weekend.

I am in full support.

But that really is the greatest example of my luck that the first time I get to go to Altoona will be when there are no trains running.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Maybe the only trains running in Altoona will be N scale this weekend.

I was thinking about that.

It'll definitely make for some interesting photo opportunities.

[TLOC]

Not remembering the last National shutdown, I have a question.

When the witching hour strikes do the locomotive engineers shut it down or do they finish their runs or …?

TomO

[signalmaintainer]

Not remembering the last National shutdown, I have a question.

When the witching hour strikes do the locomotive engineering shut it down or do they finish their runs or …?

TomO

They stop everything, Tom. Nothing moves. I would suspect that train crews on the cusp of departing yards will drag their feet, especially if their runs tske them into remote areas where Lyft, Uber or taxis can't access.

[MK]

We will be track side on Friday night for pizza after setup at Altoona N-Scale Weekend.  It'll be interesting to see (or not see!) what happens but I doubt we will be out until 12 midnight.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

We will be track side on Friday night for pizza after setup at Altoona N-Scale Weekend.  It'll be interesting to see (or not see!) what happens but I doubt we will be out until 12 midnight.

I dunno. Could be VERY entertaining watching management and trainees trying to run trains over the mountain.

[dem34]

Sit on the curve, see how high the centerbeam stack can go.

[reinhardtjh]

I dunno. Could be VERY entertaining watching management and trainees trying to run trains over the mountain.

Might want to watch from afar, or at least upwind  - just in case any HAZMAT cars get dumped.