Jerry Emmerson Wrote:
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> Hey. I'm sure y'all have heard about the whole
> BNSF monetary crisis, trying to solve it by
> getting rid of manpower and all. But, I've also
> heard that they've started the testing of crewless
> trains in the Marceline Subdivision. Anybody know
> anything about that?

Yes BNSF just signed a contract with Kong Enterprises to construct 4 human like robots to take the place of engineers as a test. Plan is to have the robots run selected UPS trains from Los Angeles to Chicago and back. The tests will include a conductor so crew changes will still need to be made during the testing phase. Conductors will be selected to work the special testing program based on seniority. They will also enter a "how to fix a non-functioning robot engineer" training program. Entry into and successfully completing the training program will put an extra $10,000.00 a year into the selected conductors the pockets tax free! BNSF has agreed to pay these taxes whether the tests are successful or not provided conductors pass a pee test at crew change terminals following the end of their run.


"Cow chip" Johnson