When did the amount of time ( on the law as I've heard it called ) that a train crew can work before getting off the train become a law?
CofG
"The Right Way"
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Found on an internet search.
In
1907, Congress approved the Railroad Hours of Service Act, establishing the maximum
number of hours certain classes of railroad employees may work.
In
1907, Congress approved the Railroad Hours of Service Act, establishing the maximum
number of hours certain classes of railroad employees may work.
What were they at that time? Does anybody have a history of reductions?quote:Originally posted by RK:
Found on an internet search.
In
1907, Congress approved the Railroad Hours of Service Act, establishing the maximum
number of hours certain classes of railroad employees may work.
I think 12 hours or 16? The thought comes from how long a Train Order from Dispatcher is in effect unless annulled or expired.
If I could catch one of the Dog catchers in our area and ask him I might find out how they do it these days. But durn those catchers are sure hard to catch.
If I could catch one of the Dog catchers in our area and ask him I might find out how they do it these days. But durn those catchers are sure hard to catch.
1907, amended in 1969. I believe the 1969 change was from 16 to 12 hours.
FRA Hours of Service Fact Sheet
FRA Hours of Service Fact Sheet
When I started in 1958, it was 16 hours. Per information posted above, it was reduced to 12 hours in 1969. I don't know what it was in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s when my dad and his dad worked for the PRR.
Hot Water...Hours of Service Law was amended in 1969 with an immediate reduction in hours from 16 to 14 hours on duty. 2 years later, still as part of the 1969 Amendment, it was then further reduced to 12 hours on duty.
When changed from 16 to 14, we still had many local freight jobs that worked 15:59 every day. 14 hours caused alot of problems with trying to accomplish the same work in less time. Extra jobs were called for weekends to finish remaining weekday work. However, it kind of 'evened out' as many local freight customers switched to trucks and left the railroad.
Walter M. Matuch
former EL Conductor
When changed from 16 to 14, we still had many local freight jobs that worked 15:59 every day. 14 hours caused alot of problems with trying to accomplish the same work in less time. Extra jobs were called for weekends to finish remaining weekday work. However, it kind of 'evened out' as many local freight customers switched to trucks and left the railroad.
Walter M. Matuch
former EL Conductor
Thanks for all these responses. The reason I asked was my great great grandpa work as an engineneer befor the and during the turn of the 20th century and was curious if he had to work until the train got to it's destination or not. He worked on the old East and West railroad that ran from Cartersville, Ga. to Pell City, Al. This eventualy became part of the Seaboard Air Line's Atlanta-Birmingham line. So I guess since this was during steam days before the 1907 law, the trip from Cartersville to Pell City would have made for one heck of a long day/job?
CofG
"The Right Way"
CofG
"The Right Way"
It would depend on the railroad I guess. Many railroads worked crews as much as possible; I've read old-time railroaders describing attempting to hand up orders to a train coming by a station or tower, and the engineer being asleep hanging half out the cab window. All they could do is wire ahead and clear the track and try to put down some torpedos to try to wake him up.
quote:Originally posted by Wyhog:
And many of the current crop of railroaders cried when the law changed a few years ago to require fewer hours per month and more rest time. Until then if you previously worked less than 12 hours you could be called back to work with only 8 hours off. But since you get a 90 minute call (some places get 2 hours) and that phone call didn't count as duty time, that meant the phone was going to ring at 6.5 hours after tieing up. The new rule requires 8 hours "Undisturbed rest" which means 9.5 hours off instead of 8. There are other changes besides that.
Wyhog
Just a correction, it's 10 hours mandatory undisturbed rest now, not 8.
They limit you to a total of 276 hours a month with 30 hours of 'limbo' time.
Also, I believe that these HOS changes do not apply to passenger service.
I think the changes were OK, it's nice to be guaranteed 12 hours off at home instead of 8 or 10.
CN_Hogger
quote:Originally posted by Walter Matuch:
Hot Water...Hours of Service Law was amended in 1969 with an immediate reduction in hours from 16 to 14 hours on duty. 2 years later, still as part of the 1969 Amendment, it was then further reduced to 12 hours on duty.
When changed from 16 to 14, we still had many local freight jobs that worked 15:59 every day. 14 hours caused alot of problems with trying to accomplish the same work in less time. Extra jobs were called for weekends to finish remaining weekday work. However, it kind of 'evened out' as many local freight customers switched to trucks and left the railroad.
Walter M. Matuch
former EL Conductor
That's true, Walter. When I worked the NJ&NY way freight in 1973, it was difficult to get all the work done in 14 hours.
Lee
quote:Originally posted by wjstix:
It would depend on the railroad I guess. Many railroads worked crews as much as possible; I've read old-time railroaders describing attempting to hand up orders to a train coming by a station or tower, and the engineer being asleep hanging half out the cab window. All they could do is wire ahead and clear the track and try to put down some torpedos to try to wake him up.
=))
Been there done that. With a truck of course, not a train. Took 30 police banging on my cab once....
