Re: BNSF PNW Meltdown Questions
Author: Bruce Kelly
Date: 12-07-2013 - 19:19
Variations on the "crew shuttle by train" have been done in the past, and are being done now, where it's beneficial. Trains running around dead trains will pick up crews and bring 'em home. Trains running against dead trains will drop off fresh crews. The lucky outlaws get picked up by a passing AMTK 7 or 8 and have a cushy ride, and maybe a hot meal. It's not unheard of for a westbound crew to go dead just 15 or 20 miles from Hauser and get shuttled straight back to Whitefish or Missoula rather than turn on their rest here. That's when it's a real plus for a WF crew to catch No.8, instead of a long drive east on snowy roads. Couple of winters ago, Amtrak actually pulled through the Hauser refueling shed just so they could pick up and/or drop off freight crews. Wouldn't be surprised if it's been done more often than that.