United Transportation Union

Locals 1778 and 1923 (BC Rail)

North Vancouver to Fort Nelson, BC, Canada

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Report of Engine Cab Condition Committee Meeting

 

Mar. 26, 1998, Prince George

by

D. Moorhouse, UTU Local 1778

 

Attendance

 

David Moorhouse S. Biln
Harry Ulch G. Younger
Rik Campbell P. Rebagliati
Bob St.Croix B. Colquhoun
Guest
Rick Morgan (UTU 1923 Alternate)

 

MINUTES OF OCTOBER MEETING

Item 2.4 Locomotive Cab Audio System information had been provided to L. Behnish by D. Moorhouse at Oct. 17, 1997 meeting.

 

"LABOUR RELATIONS" ISSUES

Third Seat in GM's and Dash 7's

BC Rail adamant that these units have third seat installed. Have sourced reclining (some units have non-reclining models that will be replaced) IPS brand seats that will swivel and adjust so that the seat back can be placed up against the control stand when not in use.

 

UTU and CUTE continue to oppose the installation of a third seat in these locomotives due to confined space.

S. Biln states that the decision to install the third seat is out of the hands of this committee, it is our job to find the best possible solution. G. Younger states that these units were OK'd by the Ministry with three "piano stool" seats installed.

S. Biln to contact Ministry to inspect third seat installation.

 

Toilet compartment in CAT and GM's

Unlikely that we will be able to control temperature in nose of CAT's to the point where it will be within Ministry requirements in extreme cold. ie. 650 to 840 , although it will be above freezing. BCR reluctant to prototype anything if it doesn't have approval from unions.

Proposed "Armaflex" Arctic insulation job with electric parabolic heater appears to be best possible solution. One unit will be prototyped, then union GCA's and Ministry to inspect.

Eng 761 in Squamish shops to be done before May 1, 1998.

 

NEW LOCOMOTIVES

Due to tight market conditions, no new locomotives will be available until 2000. This may be an advantage as we will not be tied to any other order as we have in the past. We can get the units configured the way we want, not what some other railway wants.

 

New Locomotives cont.

Committee will receive an opportunity to revisit new locomotive specifications before order is made.

Budget $10-12 million per year for new locomotives to average 2-3 unit purchases per year. Hope to receive 5 or 6 at a time.

BCR exploring lease options for any new business.

 

MK LEASE LOCOMOTIVES

BCR intends to keep these for the foreseeable future. What must be done to make them acceptable to the union?

Obvious CCO upgrades Paper towel holders
Third door installation similar to Dash 9's Alerter
Bathroom door latch Electric brake system changed
Wiper park Tend to skid with GM's trailing
Fridge relocation VDT display changed
Flat paint Heating inadequate (full of coal dust)
Desk upgrade (needs lip) Positive pressure ventilation
Cup holders Headset - capable radio installation?
Side windows awkward Crossover walkway guards not compatable with BCR's
Mirrors stick out too far
Noise insulation

 

R. Campbell provides written list which includes other items not shown here.

Plan for limited testing in lead service.

 

ONGOING ISSUES

Magnetic Clips for Paperwork

P. Rebagliati supplies box full of magnetic clips marked "BC Rail Train Operations", thank you Peter and Harry.

 

Locomotive Cab Audio (Headsets)

Apparently we now have six radios at the radio shop that are headset / intercom capable. If so, these will be installed in MK locos without prejudice. Music capability to be further investigated, Moorhouse again provides LCAS report. P. Rebagliati to progress.

Moorhouse to contact radio shop mgr. Doug Hicks at 5606 to investigate.

GPS Harry would like it clarified that it is not a locator system he wants, but an emergency rollover beacon
Control Stand Beep Tones Different tones for each alarm? How will headset affect beep alerts? Dash 7's tones too loud. Suggest flashing lights rather than beep. L. Sopel to provide selection of tones and light from all units. Will prioritize tone requirements in conjunction with B. St. Croix
Electronic Bell Not interested
SBU storage Few more done, G. Younger to supply numbers
Armrests New armrests with adjusting knobs to be supplied.

Existing armrests are being broken by people sitting on them,

members are reminded to be gentle with the armrests in order to preserve them.
Seating (All units) Conductor's side will have1800 rotating, high-back AirChief seats

Seats will all be shampooed within 90 days, then once per year

thereafter
Side Display Speedos Progressing, numbers to be supplied

 

 

 

CAT ENGINES

Slug 401, body rotting, louvers on sides detached
631 and 632 to be retired by year end
Sandbox handles stick out, catch clothing.

 

640's

Not to be retired as soon as planned, will upgrade minimally, including ovens, speedo etc. Bob and Harry to inspect and provide list.

 

GM's'

Block forms falling behind fridge, need storage to organize form pads, up high, out of the way.
758 has no desk light

 

DASH 7's

Toilet cleaning and dumping infrequent. Dash 7's in Takla service will be cleaned and dumped at P. Geo. before each departure.
Vertical handholds at rear. One prototype in progress
Rocky Mountain units--excessive initial loading (excitation problem?)

 

DASH 8's

Request reading light above third seat for trainees
Request remove window stoppers to improve options for window opening
Control stand drafts -- Have sealed up all sorts of places in some units.
Wiper exhaust noise--ongoing
Continue program of applying sandpaper strips on leading edge of inside stairs

 

 

DASH 9's

Not intended for lead service, except in emergency circumstances.

 

ELECTRIC ENGINES

No upgrades done, had planned to retire them; however, now plan to use them for a while yet. Will consider small housekeeping issues.

 

 

BUDD CARS

GEC Austin (European Manufacturing Company), to perform audit of our service to determine needs. Looking at replacement of existing equipment with similar, new equipment in 3 to 5 years.

 

NEW ISSUES
Crossover chain guards on lease units not compatible with our safety bars.
Budd seats worn, need draft sealing, improved gauge lighting

 

FUN FACTS

Coffee pots cost $22.75 each

Year Pots Purchased
1995 73
1996 224
1997 317

 

Last year BC Rail spent over $7100 on coffee pots

 

Next meeting Oct, 1998. Exact date to be determined

 

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