A decade on ATS...

originally posted by: aboutface
Hey there trainman, happy 10th! I was thinking of you this morning as the news reported something about Lac Megantic and was going to ask you if you've noticed any positive changes in railway transportation in the last year. It's ood to see you're still around and posting.

Nice to talk to you again! Actually there have been many positive changes in rail operations that could be traced to the Lac Megantic disaster. The industry has commissioned new tank car designs that include double walls, improved requirements for securing trains without crew members on board, Canada has instituted new regulations that require two-person crews on hazardous trains so there are two minds working on the problem instead of just one, and there are new procedures for locking locomotive doors. When an oil train is secured on-line a radio report must be made to the dispatcher specifying the location, track conditions, weather conditions, track grade. and total number of hand brakes applied.

I am sure there are more steps that could be taken, but the industry has responded in a positive manner. The motive for this is most likely a desire to limit liability in future disasters (because there WILL be more- that is unavoidable) and the industry has taken steps to shunt future liability on to the employee instead of the corporation. But at least changes have been made with some success.

a reply to: Montana

That site picture brings back memories!

Definitely been an experience seeing things change over the years into what it is today.
Unfortunately my original profile was lost many years back so I have resigned to a "read only" approach for the most part (I never really had the same motivation to keep up regular posting) but that has allowed me to take a step back when reading threads rather than beginning the reply in my head before I have even finished what's posted.

I still have some waiting to do before this one hits its decade... but it would be coming up a month from now otherwise!

Congrats for making it though!

~ ob

Congratulations on hitting 10 years!
There seems to be a number of us hitting 10 years this year.

I believe I may have a secret username I forgot I created 10 years ago.

CONGRATULATIONS ON 10 YEARS