Western Railroad Discussion > Powder River loadings frequency

For anyone familiar with operations in the Powder River basin. Does the loading of coal trains proceed at the same pace all seven days of the week? Or do loadings tend to slow down on weekend days? Do the different mining companies pretty much all work a full 24/7 ?

The loadings are based upon turnaround times for the trainset in question. Each contract calls for a certain number of hours for a train to depart the mine loaded and be back at the mine for reloading. None of 5 business days stuff where weekends do not count. So to answer your question, weekends are just as busy as the weekdays....and nights. The railroads and mines work 24/7/365 and infact, weekends may be a bit busier since there are no MOW windows to contend with.

Some PRB mines DO close down for all or at least part of the day on major family holidays such as 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas eve and day.