@Rich Melvin posted:No, it has nothing to do with that 1986 accident. NS ran a lot of steam in 2011 through 2015. I know…I ran a lot of it in NKP 765.
It is the nonsense surrounding PSR, which is supposed to mean “Precision Scheduled Railroading” but in reality is more like “Pretty Sh***y Railroading.” NS, and most of the other Class 1 railroads, are hurting for crews right now because so many people have left the industry because of PSR. In fact, NS is hurting for crews so bad that they approved for service a female conductor candidate who actually FELL OFF a moving freight car during training. Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel.
The railroads are entirely focused on improving shareholder value right now, while crews and customers are taking it on the chin. And many of their experienced crew people have simply left the industry and found other work.
To be clear, I said the 1986 accident was the beginning of the end of NS heritage steam, not the end. And given your personal experience, obviously you would know more than me. However, I will say that while you're correct about PSR, liability is intrinsically tied to shareholder value. All it takes is one high-profile incident to make a very expensive mess for a Class I. Ask the UP Steam Team about their biggest fear -- it's some moron running onto the track and getting hit, and having the whole shindig permanently cancelled because an idiot couldn't be bothered with following basic safety instructions.
