Passenger Trains > Engineer or Engineer(s)

Speaking of the Amtrak system as a whole, discounting trainees, what determines if there are one or two people in the cab?

Posted from iPhone

If the scheduled run is six hours or less, one engineer can be used.  If the scheduled run is over six hours, two engineers are required.   BSB  

BigSkyBlue Wrote:
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> If the scheduled run is six hours or less, one engineer can be used.  If
> the scheduled run is over six hours, two engineers are required.   BSB

And the key word there is "scheduled".  Years ago, before the previous four hour limit changed to six hours by contract agreement, Amtrak's "scheduled" running time between Portland and Seattle was a hair under four hours to eliminate the second engineer position but the actual running time was slightly over four hours.  It was fought but to no avail.

Jim700 Wrote:
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> BigSkyBlue Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If the scheduled run is six hours or less, one
> engineer can be used.  If
> > the scheduled run is over six hours, two
> engineers are required.   BSB
>
> And the key word there is "scheduled".  Years
> ago, before the previous four hour limit changed
> to six hours by contract agreement, Amtrak's
> "scheduled" running time between Portland and
> Seattle was a hair under four hours to eliminate
> the second engineer position but the actual
> running time was slightly over four hours.  It
> was fought but to no avail.

Sadly, many of these assignments involve additional running time for deadhead moves which do not count towards the 6 hours.

And I have been on the Coast Starlight between Portland and Klamath Falls with just one. One of the Engineers told me if no one available they have to go solo regardless of the 6hr rule..
Have to stop the train to copy slow orders or go to the restroom. This was before Anderson killes out Docent program last March.

Steve Panzik
Chiloquin, Or

When an assistant conductor is scheduled, but not available, the conductor goes solo. And files a claim.

How is the claims payment process coming along?

Posted from Android

 A Second Passenger Engineer will be required on all off-Corridor trains operating over six (6) hours from the departure at the initial station of the assignment to the arrival at the final station of the assignment.  If a train scheduled to operate in less than six (6) hours from the departure at the initial station of the assignment to the arrival at the final station of the assignment requires more than six (6) hours for the trip on ten (10) or more occasions during any fifteen (15) consecutive trips, a Second Passenger Engineer will be required on said train until the operating time is reduced to less than six (6) hours on ten (10) or more occasions during any fifteen (15) consecutive trips. 1
c. Assignments involving trains scheduled to operate more than four (4) hours, but less than six (6) hours, as calculated in accordance with paragraph (b) above, shall not be structured to exceed ten (10) hours total time on duty without a Second Passenger Engineer being assigned, unless otherwise agreed upon by the highest officer designated by the Carrier and the General Chairman of the Organization. 2
 

Years ago, they got out of it by using chain gang crewes between Dunsmuir & K Falls.  

The crew went on duty in Oakland. They died quite often anywhere between Upton and Worden. What they would do is deadhead a full crew off the regular pool, Duns to K Falls. When Atk would die, they would use the freight pool crew to patch the train and take it into K Falls.


SBN