Here is the carriers article off the Gateway about Frontier Yard:

Announcement in Buffalo Today

Released: May 5, 2009

The following announcement was made at Frontier Yard in Buffalo today:

Over the past several days we have been working to finalize plans to
address the significant effect of this difficult economy on our
business. Frontier Yard today is operating only at about 59 percent of
its capacity, handling an average of 855 cars per day.

In prior town halls we provided you with information on developments as
we knew them. Last week, we announced that CSXT would eliminate the
processing of six road trains through Frontier Yard. We also informed
you that we were continuing to review the terminal and would keep you
advised of further developments.

Today I must report that we have made the difficult decision to stop
all rail car processing operations at Frontier Yard by the end of May.
This will result in the elimination of approximately 132 positions
across all crafts. Approximately 337 positions will remain at Frontier
Yard, including road train crews and support employees.

Roughly half of the processing work that is transitioning out of
Frontier Yard will be moved to other locations within the
Buffalo/Niagara terminal area, resulting in some positions being added
at Niagara, Kenmore and Rochester Yards. A significant number of cars
will be processed outside of this area but within New York State.

Frontier Yard will continue to handle local train traffic, utilizing
two new local trains serving nearby customers, and will also continue
to handle interchange traffic with other railroads.

As you know, the severe economic recession has taken a toll on our
transportation business. System-wide, we currently have about 2,400
employees furloughed, 30,000 freight cars parked, and more than 500
locomotives idled. It is difficult for any business to function
properly over the long term under these conditions without making
substantial adjustments.

The actions we have announced today are a direct result of economic
conditions and in no way reflect on your work at CSXT. We recognize
that these decisions will likely have a significant impact on your
lives and will work with you to make the transition as smooth as
possible. CSX provides a toll-free Employee Service Hotline to assist
furloughed employees and help answer questions about benefits, crew
district status, seniority status issues, employment opportunities,
payroll and other important matters. Staff will be available weekdays
from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to assist you when you call
1-866-742-1939.

Thank you for your patience throughout this process.

Its a shame, but its progress.
Ya dont need humongus hump yards every 100 miles anymore. With ID agreements ya only need a hump every 200 to 300 miles.
Guess those guys are lucky they lasted this long.

-- Edited by Calvin on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 03:09:13 PM

0, CSX is actually looking to hire 30 new trainmasters from outside of the company......

BUFFALO, N.Y. In a letter to the Active Chairman of the Surface
Transportation Board (STB), Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is asking
the national agency to reopen the related docket since layoffs at
Buffalos Frontier Yard are in violation of the agreement which allowed
CSX and Norfolk Southern to acquire Conrails assets.

As a condition of the merger agreement, CSX pledged to invest
substantially in facilities and jobs in the Buffalo region however with
the news this week of 132 layoffs and possibly more on the way that
clearly isnt happening, said Congressman Higgins. CSX has an ethical
and contractual obligation to keep these jobs in Buffalo and we want to
see them hold up their end of the bargain.

On July 20, 1998, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a
decision (FD-33388) which allowed CSX and Norfolk Southern to acquire
Conrails assets. In the context of the 1998 decision, the board
indicated that it would hold CSX to its commitments to Buffalo in this
matter:

We will hold CSX to all of its representations related to the Buffalo
area, most notably those regarding its plans for investment in new
connections and upgraded facilities in the Buffalo area, including: (1)
upgrading Conrail's existing computer technology and fueling facilities
at Buffalo; (2) maintaining or increasing current employment levels in
the Buffalo area and (5) investing substantial funds in network
improvements to reduce shipping time and enhance service reliability
for rail shippers in the Greater Buffalo area[1], said the Surface
Transportation Board at the time.

The STB is a regulatory agency created by Congress in 1995. The
independent agency has jurisdiction over railroad rate and service
issues and rail restructuring transactions as well as other
transportation issues

"CSX has an ethical
and contractual obligation to keep these jobs in Buffalo and we want to
see them hold up their end of the bargain."

Ethical and railroad in the same sentence? Are you fucking kidding me? Something tells me that you don't have a prayer of passing your next whiz quiz.