This is a powerpoint created by one of the Unions about a head-on collision CSX had in Newsoms, Va.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blet375.com%2FMisc%2FCSX-headon-VA.pps&ei=CNbcUar4DoLD4AOv_4CYBA&usg=AFQjCNE3ry6Ev-LIiWpqbPfSGtYum1fJtA&sig2=x45ZWqseWMGnQVJE65IlkQ&bvm=bv.48705608,d.dmg

Jul 9 2013

Man killed by train believed to be wearing headphones – Richmond Times Dispatch: City Of Richmond

Now I’m not trying to be mean, but what the hell was he doing walking along the tracks? Train tracks generally mean trains and that line is a heavy tonnage line. It’s not unusual for 16-18k ton coal trains to be running east towards Newport News. So, why put headphones on and walk the tracks?

Man killed by train believed to be wearing headphones – Richmond Times Dispatch: City Of Richmond.

Jul 8 2013

Brilliant CSX…Just Brilliant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO-A2rmyhYU

Jul 8 2013

CSX Dispatcher Lecturing A Crew

“Going to the Second Engine” is a euphemism for having to take a bowel movement. Most railroaders don’t want to do that in the ‘lead’ engine because that’s what they’re cooped up in for 12 hours or more a day. Makes sense in a way, but at this point, it wasn’t a very good time and the CSX dispatcher lets the crew know what he thinks about it. For those who aren’t from America, “Going on the Law” means the hours of service law is about to be applied. Once a crew hits 12 hrs, they need to safely bring the train to a stop and it cannot move until a new crew replaces the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcihgwT_oEQ

Jul 8 2013

Mountain Railroading At Its Best

American freight railroading is like nothing in the world. The sheer amount of tonnage carried, the length of trains, power of the engines, it’s all something to behold. Mountain railroading is the epiphany of this. Freight trains struggle to climb grades higher then 1.6% due to the sheer weight being carried, thus calling for pusher power. Not all trains require this, because the ability of the engines to pull the train up the grade is enough. When it’s not, then additional power is added on.

Here are two of my favorite mountain railroading videos, one from each of the Eastern United States Class 1’s.

CSX:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHLkqyxGso0

Norfolk Southern:

Note the sound of all the blowers on the trailing motor screaming. While I’m not an EMD fan, it’s something else to hear the sound right up to the time to pushers come by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6oo2vYoOuE