(Source: Trains Magazine, December 16, 2022)
The big six Class I railroads are not of one mind regarding taking conductors out of the locomotive cab and redeploying them to pickup trucks. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern told the Federal Railroad Administration this week that they are negotiating with unions about testing the concept, which would involve having conductors assist trains in specific territories. BNSF Railway tells Trains News Wire that it, too, is on board. CSX Transportation is not considering using ground-based conductors and is not talking to rail labor about the concept, a spokeswoman says. Canadian National declined to comment when contacted regarding its interest in ground-based conductor positions. Canadian Pacific declined to add to comments CEO Keith Creel made during the railway’s earnings call in July.
Full story: Trains Magazine