When Railroaders Ran the Railroad,

I had to go to work today and sign up, even though the railroad is shut down. Everyone is concerned and wringing their hands as to what to do. The railroad is devastated because of the flood. There were several of us elder there and we talked about what they used to do in such dire circumstances. The answer was simple back then. DO YOUR DUTY, get the trains moving. No matter what it took.
What a difference between then and now. This picture should speak a thousand words in describing the type of men that moved this Country. They kept it moving.

Liability my friend, liability It's what happens when a Country let's a bunch of lazy, sissy-ass lawyers dictate what you can & can't do. Yes, things were a lot different back when.

My great-great grandfather William Henry Peterson worked on the railroad and lived in Babylon NY according to the 1880 census. At least two of his five daughters worked for the railroad as well, I actually have the Morse Key that they used on the job. My grandfather was an Engineer and retired from the New York Central. These were tough people, not like the people of today, built physically and mentally as strong as the steam engines that they drove or worked on. They didn't need indoor plumbing, and certainly not electricity!

freetown fred wrote:Liability my friend, liability It's what happens when a Country let's a bunch of lazy, sissy-ass lawyers dictate what you can & can't do. Yes, things were a lot different back when.

The other missing factor not mentioned is accountability. The ones that do the sissy laws have no accountability to anyone, so liability becomes the problem.

Hell wilder, if you mean the people that MAKE the laws--(politicians) they for the most part--are lawyers

I know.. i know....doesn't everyone?

Well there is also just a little bit of difference in the type of power used back then.

As long as the water would not get into the firebox, they would run 'em..

How the hell do you do that now with a diesel engine turning a big ass electric motor ??? I don't think the high water would be too good for that motor do you ??

As I was going to pick up my lunch today, I was stopped at the tracks for an east bound 3 engine train pulling nothing but coal cars and they were full. The only time I have ever seen a load set up like that was on my Dad's "O" gauge layout. So somewhere on the east coast they must be needing it. Maybe it got washed away by Sandy or they were watching the waether forecast for the beginning of next week................



Rick

Rick 386 wrote:Well there is also just a little bit of difference in the type of power used back then.

As long as the water would not get into the firebox, they would run 'em..

How the hell do you do that now with a diesel engine turning a big ass electric motor ??? I don't think the high water would be too good for that motor do you ??

As I was going to pick up my lunch today, I was stopped at the tracks for an east bound 3 engine train pulling nothing but coal cars and they were full. The only time I have ever seen a load set up like that was on my Dad's "O" gauge layout. So somewhere on the east coast they must be needing it. Maybe it got washed away by Sandy or they were watching the waether forecast for the beginning of next week................



Rick

Even if we had steam locomotives today. They would not be running. It was the defiance of our Grandfathers and their sense of duty that kept things moving. I started on steam and I was exposed to the last of the steam era men. They were a different breed. If they had assessed the situation of my railroad today. The trains would be running, period. We would be running on train orders and timetable with qualified operators at each interlocking to report rear markers safely by. Now, they sit wringing their hands because the signals are dark.
By the way a modern diesel can not operate with more than 3 inches of water over the rail, but; that's not the point.

wsherrick wrote:
Even if we had steam locomotives today. They would not be running. It was the defiance of our Grandfathers and their sense of duty that kept things moving. I started on steam and I was exposed to the last of the steam era men. They were a different breed. If they had assessed the situation of my railroad today. The trains would be running, period. We would be running on train orders and timetable with qualified operators at each interlocking to report rear markers safely by. Now, they sit wringing their hands because the signals are dark.
By the way a modern diesel can not operate with more than 3 inches of water over the rail, but; that's not the point.

Not trying to downplay their work ethic or sense of responsibility one tiny bit.

Another thing to consider is without electric they cannot monitor the movenment of the trains without their little digital display and laptop, God forbid if someone had to manually keep track of where they were going..... I really don't think anyone has the mental capacity or wherewithal to do it today.



Rick

Rick 386 wrote:

wsherrick wrote:
Even if we had steam locomotives today. They would not be running. It was the defiance of our Grandfathers and their sense of duty that kept things moving. I started on steam and I was exposed to the last of the steam era men. They were a different breed. If they had assessed the situation of my railroad today. The trains would be running, period. We would be running on train orders and timetable with qualified operators at each interlocking to report rear markers safely by. Now, they sit wringing their hands because the signals are dark.
By the way a modern diesel can not operate with more than 3 inches of water over the rail, but; that's not the point.

Not trying to downplay their work ethic or sense of responsibility one tiny bit.

Another thing to consider is without electric they cannot monitor the movenment of the trains without their little digital display and laptop, God forbid if someone had to manually keep track of where they were going..... I really don't think anyone has the mental capacity or wherewithal to do it today.



Rick

You are correct about the lack of brains to act. There is also the fear of culpability among the supervision. No one can make a decision because no one wants to take the responsibility of acting because it scares them.

Considering the fact that these transit rail lines in New York City utilize electric third rail for motivation, flooding would be a huge concern I would think. I do not think it would really matter if Tropical Storm happened today, or 80 years ago back in the steam era, these lines were electrified even then and flooding would have prevented their use.

NoSmoke wrote:Considering the fact that these transit rail lines in New York City utilize electric third rail for motivation, flooding would be a huge concern I would think. I do not think it would really matter if Tropical Storm happened today, or 80 years ago back in the steam era, these lines were electrified even then and flooding would have prevented their use.

The subways are 3rd rail, as is the Long Island Railroad, however, the Long Island Railroad has plenty of Diesel power. New Jersey Transit is more than a commuter railroad, it is a regional railroad that operates in three states. We have mostly diesel power. The men of yesteryear made, decisions, made provision and did the job no matter what it took.

freetown fred wrote:Liability my friend, liability It's what happens when a Country let's a bunch of lazy, sissy-ass lawyers dictate what you can & can't do. Yes, things were a lot different back when.

Gotta love the attitude of no matter what happens someone will be blamed. Hey *censored* happens no one wants *censored* to hit the fan but its not hollywood out thier, sometimes that ballsy decision actually doesnt work.

anthony7812 wrote:

freetown fred wrote:Liability my friend, liability It's what happens when a Country let's a bunch of lazy, sissy-ass lawyers dictate what you can & can't do. Yes, things were a lot different back when.

Gotta love the attitude of no matter what happens someone will be blamed. Hey *censored* happens no one wants *censored* to hit the fan but its not hollywood out thier, sometimes that ballsy decision actually doesnt work.

So no decision is too be made because somebody might be liable for it. Modern thinking at it's best. People remain stranded, supplies and aid not delivered, 100's of men sitting at home not being paid. All because somebody doesn't want to take the responsibility. That's about where it stands in this era. The political mindset, of CYA and let somebody else take the lead/culpability and of course no one does.

its too bad really, f'em attitude is thrown around too much anymore.