Western Railroad Discussion > Train Chatter on the Moffat

Now that the BNSF has eliminated Kremmling as a crew change point several trains have not been able to get all the way from Grand Junction to Denver or return. Crew vans are busy.

But they do make it sometimes or come very close for an easy dogcatch. Beats deadheading crews to and from Kremmling which they did all the time anyways.

T

Seems to be about 50/50. A BNSF Sand Train glided in to Denver about 90 minutes ago, their GJ crew still onboard. Contrastly, the Provo-Denver had to go in the hole at Cliff and just got a relief crew after waiting 3 hours. Crew vans definitely are busy though.

But when you think about it, BNSF has eliminated hotel costs in Kremmling, and, even if 50% of the trains recrew, that means 50% of the trains are now running between Denver and GJ with a single crew. I'm sure BNSF is saving more than they are losing with the new crew structure.

Kevin Morgan
Arvada, CO
ColoradoRailfan.com

Of course, saving a few $$, but what about customer service.  Sure, 3 hours here isn't that bad, but in the long run it means later trains, later deliveries, slower shipments.   Again, what about customer service?

LOL ain't no Zs to worry about service:)
No hotel or food service to finance saves money:)

frntinplate Wrote:
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> Of course, saving a few $$, but what about
> customer service.  Sure, 3 hours here isn't that
> bad, but in the long run it means later trains,
> later deliveries, slower shipments.   Again, what
> about customer service?

Probably better service now, trains used to sit at Kremmling for long periods waiting for crews, now they either get caught on the fly or barely stop at all between Denver and GJ!

T

eatontm Wrote:
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> Probably better service now, trains used to sit at
> Kremmling for long periods waiting for crews, now
> they either get caught on the fly or barely stop
> at all between Denver and GJ!
>
> T

I think you are right! Trains definitely used to hang out at Kremmling for 3+ hours waiting for a crew. A crew that had to ride the van (over the Continental Divide) from Denver if one was not rested. Now, trains at least make it to the east slope, so the relief crew can get there in less time (generally).

Kevin Morgan
Arvada, CO
ColoradoRailfan.com

A crew can make the run in a little over 9hrs.  That leaves 3hrs of delay.  They've been having a hard time getting the trains out of Denver.  If there is any kind of weather, its a disaster.  I've seen some really long hour of serivce times.  BNSF is trying to make the process go smoother (like calling the train when its actually ready).  They also have yard crews setout bad orders if they are found in the trains.  They're trying to make it work.  BNSF likes these "death pools."  Go as far as you can till you die.  They also have 1 engineer and conductor in Denver that can dogcatch on this side.  Seems like a lot of the freight trains make it to Leyden, then the DC takes over.  
I think its great to see so much BNSF traffic headed West.  C'mon BNSF lets buy the moffat!  ;-)