Received this in an email, origin unknown: "UP furloughs about 900 employees as traffic slips. The UP reported that last month that it had begun reducing rail crews and storing some locomotives because shipping volume had been weaker than expected this year. UP spokesman Aaron Hunt said the recent furloughs were also part of the railroad's effort to align its workforce with the current market. The number of shipments the UP has been delivering so far this year is down about 3%, which includes a 30% drop in coal carloads. The Association of American Railroads says rail traffic nationwide is down less than 1%, but coal shipments are nearly 7% lower." ***** Not exactly a good indicator for a supposedly "strong" economy.
All the furloughs are guys (and gals) hired in the last year. "Welcome to the railroad. There's the door."
Car loadings are down. Bunch of SD70Ms laid up in Roseville. Too many to fit on the Sand track so they're at the old ramp by Vernon.
The strike at the Port of L.A. and Long Beach was resolved. Rumor has it there is a on going strike in China. I have no evidence of such. Talked to Jim157 and trucking is down as well. Drivers sitting and waiting for shipments to pull. Generally, at this time they are pulling Halloween stuff. Nothing yet.
