The P-CHLA or the Q-NYLA whats more important? in Tales of the Jointed Track

Schaumberg, IL SOC Santa Fe Railway 1995 or close:

I am working Crew planning, for the Santa Fe. The night rotation, and the HOT STUFF, is coming into Barstow, CA. I looked at the crew situation to Barstow to LA. I have deadheaded three crews, to go to Barstow. I think I am covered, with these three and those that are rested or becoming rested.

A small quick 398 ( Kansas City-LA ), did me in. I am short a crew.
The P-CHLA ( Premium Chicago-LA) Intermodal is final-ed into Barstow at 230 am PST, then the Q-NYLA ( Quality-New York-LA) twenty minutes later. This is the Intermodal equivalent to a fast-mail. It is mail to the west coat, this is a HOT NO DELAY TRAIN..It is second only to the 199. I don’t have a crew, and I have to confess my sins.

Dennis Iler … Chief DS for the California end of the Railroad:

At this time we, working Crew, were segregated away from the operations. We were in an outside the SOC, although the same floor. We had access, but only to talk to the Crew manager, or to directly talk to the Chiefs, as needed.

I see this unfolding, I am stressing… it isn’t getting any better. The P-CHLA, will be delayed for 2 hours for a rested crew.

I go into the SOC “Dance Floor”. “Dennis, I am sorry we’re fucked, what’s more important, The P-CHLA or the Q-NYLA?. John Bewley, working the West Power desk laughs. “Yeah it’s funny, but your fucked here, too”.

Dennis pulls up the P-CHLA and Q-NYLA train lists. He says, “The P-CHLA has north traffic, and needs a switch. Call the Q-NYLA, John, power combo to LA” ? “Yeah”

Whew, dodged that one. Ya can make it work. The worst, I would delay the P-CHLA for an hour or two, and be on the front page on the call, or service interruption.

The best laid plans of Mice and Men, oft go astray.