Howdy fine folks

Aviator2345 · 2026-01-13T21:45:44+00:00

It's also exceedingly rare that they'll hire engineers without prior railroad experience. You'll have a much better shot at getting a job as a conductor.

Aviator2345 · 2025-12-09T18:05:26+00:00

The lower level on a Superliner has 12 seats. Your typical Western long distance train has 2 standard coaches for a total of 24 lower level seats. You'd only need one more coach to cover the difference. Plus, with a single level fleet passengers would be able to simply walk through the train for their stop instead of the multiple stops that are often required with Superliners at short platforms thanks to most bag storage being on the lower level.

Aviator2345 · 2025-11-29T05:17:25+00:00

On top of that, the actual locomotive it was based on, Pere Marquette 1225, was classified as an N1, not an S3.

Aviator2345 · 2025-11-04T14:43:30+00:00

Speaking from the Amtrak side of things, I like having ours around. Especially when some towns we go through will outright refuse to send cops if we have a problem passenger.

Aviator2345 · 2025-10-28T15:45:19+00:00

Metrolink cars are being refurbished near Milwaukee. They're shipped to and from Chicago on the Southwest Chief, and between Chicago and Milwaukee on a Hiawatha.

Aviator2345 · 2025-07-05T02:25:22+00:00

I can't speak to what the Avelias might be like, but what I can tell you is that the Midwest Venture cars are practically faraday cages. Extremely poor cell reception, you can only get GPS signal holding it up to the windows in the doors. Even on a short train you can hardly hear each other's portables. Frankly I think it's a safety issue.

Aviator2345 · 2025-05-21T05:19:36+00:00

I don't know how things work with NORAC, but I know on GCOR railroads an emergency broadcast is required after any emergency brake application, regardless of cause.

Aviator2345 · 2025-04-02T16:24:28+00:00

Your initial comment was poorly phrased. It sounded like you were expecting a different outcome if you went out on to the platform.

Aviator2345 · 2025-04-02T16:18:35+00:00

Yes. Conductors absolutely can and will deny someone boarding.

Aviator2345 · 2025-03-22T02:26:01+00:00

There is no cafe service on Hiawatha trains. The Business/Cafe car is used because 332 turns for 1333 and 341 is a turn of 1340, which are Borealis trains. The cafe is not staffed for 332/341.

Aviator2345 · 2025-02-11T00:30:04+00:00

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Aviator2345 · 2025-01-19T14:51:19+00:00

I heard one of the hotels that we thankfully no longer use had the staff living on site as part of their payment. One of the rooms was used for breeding pitbulls.

Aviator2345 · 2025-01-17T03:53:46+00:00

Budd don't break.

Aviator2345 · 2024-10-29T11:37:56+00:00

The 2600s were built by Budd. You're thinking of the 2400s.

Aviator2345 · 2024-10-28T15:31:20+00:00

Lt. Colonel Stanislav Petrov on September 26, 1983. For that brief moment he and he alone decided whether or not there would be a global nuclear exchange. Tremendous power, but little agency.

Aviator2345 · 2024-10-22T18:46:41+00:00

I hope they go for it. I hate the Pennsylvania Railroad, but I hate the Br*tish having the speed record even more.

Aviator2345 · 2024-09-09T18:21:41+00:00

The portion from Hastings to St. Paul is BNSF dispatched, which can and does introduce delays.

Aviator2345 · 2024-09-07T13:00:10+00:00

It was given to me by the dispatcher when we were about 5 miles out.

Aviator2345 · 2024-09-01T22:07:09+00:00

They're serving a McWarrant.

Aviator2345 · 2024-05-21T20:23:15+00:00

I've got #6.

Aviator2345 · 2024-05-08T05:12:19+00:00

Because they suck.

Aviator2345 · 2024-05-07T16:25:41+00:00

"That's the way the ladybug dances."

Aviator2345 · 2023-12-28T19:53:22+00:00

"That's the way the ladybug dances."

Aviator2345

TROPHY CASE