Railroads have been slow to return furloughed train and engine workers, resulting in an uptick in missed [coal train] deliveries, especially on BNSF and Norfolk Southern, reports Argus Coal Daily.
The harsh winter led to a slowdown in service in the East, and utilities then pushed CSX to add trains and crews to its network, reports the publication.
CSX is now seeing the benefits of those resources, running more consistently, shippers said, but NS has said it could take 60-90 days before it has its crew issues resolved, reports Argus. In the meantime, the railroad is adding more locomotives to minimize crew problems.
NS is mainly short conductors but also needs engineers, a shipper said, reports Argus. Theyre really struggling.
The publication said, Both CSX and NS saw their average coal train speeds plummet in January and February, but CSX velocities improved in March while NS struggled through the spring and then fell lower in May. In August, CSX trains are running 2mph faster than NS trains compared with a year ago when both railroads were at parity.
In the West, BNSF has been more affected by crew issues, reports Argus. BNSF coal train speeds have steadily declined from 22.6 mph in early April to a low of 18.3 mph in late June, and remain around 4 mph slower than Union Pacific trains.
(The preceding article was published by Argus Coal Daily.)
They haven't adjusted to the new HOS laws. Trains just parked waiting for crews. I believe them. Snippy is just in denial with his upcoming move and all that goes with it.
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I started ophph with nuthin, and I can safely say I have most of it left.... <img
