Category Archives: Rail

California could phase out diesel locomotives

Posted on May 1, 2023 by | Leave a comment

It’s not just trucks. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) wants to phase out diesel locomotives as well.

Diesel locomotives could well be a more insidious polluter than diesel trucks. They run through many disadvantaged areas, where the poorest live, and are subjected to particulate and greenhouse gas emissions. And particularly around ports, rail service is frequent and requires diesel locomotives to stand around waiting.

I think some regulation is a long time coming, and badly needed. If the feds won’t step up, let California be a leader.

Joanna Marsh·Thursday, April 27, 2023

California could phase out diesel locomotives – FreightWaves

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Posted in Logistics, Quantitative Methods, Rail, Sustainability

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Forwarders say PSR ‘doesn’t work’

Posted on April 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Forwarders are pointing to a problem in how trains get made up that is causing delays to cargoes.

The use of very long trains is posing some problems a lot like using very large container vessels. container ships can wait till they get sufficient cargo to make the voyage economically satisfactory. It’s done by ‘blanking’; sailings till there is enough cargo.

Railroads that use long trains are likewise waiting till they have enough cars to run the train. That is causing cargo delays, according to the forwarders.

The forwarders claim that this is contrary to the original PSR, which made trains meet the schedules they had promised. I think they’re right– the original PSR, championed by Hunter Harrison, the now deceased head to CN, CP, and CSX, was intended to make the trains run on time.

The practice of delaying trains is a cost control measure, and would be part of lean management, except that it has the effect of annoying customers, and denying them the one thing they want to pay for, on-time delivery. It’s no wonder they are angry.

By Alex Whiteman 13/04/2023

Forwarders demand change on US railways, as PSR ‘doesn’t work’ – The Loadstar

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Posted in Logistics, Rail

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There are no federal regulations on key rail sensors

Posted on March 9, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Here is an interesting take on the Ohio train wreck. A hot box seems to have been the cause, and the question now is whether the sensors were being managed correctly, or if there were even enough of them, or enough people to read them and act on the results.

I’m sure we will find out what the real situation was after a while. But legislators are starting to formulate bills in congress that might mandate some standards that would be expensive for rail lines.

Views differ. We’ll see how it all plays out. But Rachel Premack lays it all out in clear words below.

Rachel Premack 3/9/2023

Freightwaves MODES newsletter 3/9/2023

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Posted in Logistics, Rail

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