Steven D. Johnson Wrote:
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> Properly administered, CTC is the epitome of
> traffic control. Years of experience dealing with
> various attitudes, competance and the Unknown make
> a huge difference in actual execution. But years
> of experience ultimately means no longevity: those
> with a great deal of experience and efficient
> practice under pressure are generally headed
> towards retirement. Yet, look at two parellel
> lines on the San Joaquin Valley: one handles
> numerous scheduled passenger traffic with delays
> retributed in cash penalty payments as well as
> slow drags, locals and not less than two Z trains
> in either direction. This is a daily occourance on
> a mostly, up until recently, single track mainline
> with sidings- in the fog. And the other...well, I
> don't have much to say there, except the layout
> isn't much different and they have more
> North/Southrouting options and don't have a great
> Amtrak burden.
>
> Then, look towards the L.A. Basin and the
> East/West traffic flow. Quite a different aspect
> operationally, but keep in mind both of these
> operations can and often are, controlled by
> dispatchers off the extra board batting a fairly
> consistant respectable average given that most DSs
> haven't actually come from the craft or seen- or
> ridden along(!) the territory. Finally, all
> decision making must consider Safety, Rules and a
> general plan- that which might change on a whim!
>
> The old heads rightfully recall clockwork
> operations, yet I've yet to find one that can
> recall such a tons-per-mile similarity between now
> and then.

I've travelled both lines (former SP and Santa Fe San Joaquin Valley lines), and it's plain to see that Mr Johnson is correct. The Santa Fe, as seen from AMTRAK, well, it's busy everywhere you look, all the industrial leads have cars, switchers everywhere, out on the mail trains are flying by everywhere. Then, over to the SP,as seen from parallel, as in parallel universe!, US 99, by comparison, you'd think the place had been abandoned in place, few trains or populated leads, and looked deserted. As an SP brat, it was bleak indeed. Santa Fe: What can be done. SP: Opportunity lost. AA