nihong Wrote:
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> I doubt that the Engineers from AMTRAK get to
> drive the freight engines. Railroads have to sign
> their Engineers out on locomotives. If they don't
> adhere to procedure do you think insurance
> companies will pay up in case of accident? The
> locomotives belongs to the host rr and while it is
> towing an AMTRAK train, the freight lines just
> don't let anyone drive it. Can you imagine a
> United Airlines pilot 'being shown the controls'
> of a different aircraft on British Airways and
> being allowed to fly it? The same day? Even with
> rail it takes a full day or two to learn the
> equipment. With airlines it is 90 days. Plus both
> require an assessor to 'pass them out' to make
> sure that they can drive the thing, whether it be
> a 747 or AC4400 or whatever it is. The newer high
> tech stuff is more involved. That is why I can't
> believe that.
> Locomotives need PIN codes now issued by the
> company for the engineer. If the code is not
> entered the locomotive is not able to be driven.
> Better get advice from a REAL engineer to see how
> much is correct since I am going from experience.
> But Railroads are VERY sensitive about letting
> ANYONE touch their equipment. Serious!

This is the most bizarre thing I have ever seen on this board!