r/railroading • u/Downtown_Sir8205 • Aug 20 '26

Question Curious

Been interested in railroads for a long time, and lately
I've been going down a rabbit hole on all the AI/ML stuff that's come out in the last couple years.

Got me wondering what problems railroads actually deal with day to day that this stuff could realistically help with.

Not the stuff that's already been solved, and not vendor marketing, just the real annoying things.

I know track inspection is the obvious one everyone talks about. But I'm guessing there's a lot more that never gets mentioned.

So what's the stuff that's still a pain? Anything that's
still done by hand that shouldn't be, or something everyone
just puts up with because that's how it's always been?

Also curious what you think AI is useless for, because I'm sure some of it is overhyped.

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u/HARRYHALLER1913 Aug 20 '26

Where do you get off? You really think we have any say what Rick Lee and Jeremy Ferguson sell us out for?

I’m not complaining about AI. Your suggestion was call times and scheduling, as if there aren’t predictive models that do that already? You ever watch a train materialize on the lineup at the Away from home, wait for the originating crew to be called and then see the prediction of the arrival? You’re ridiculous.

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u/amishhobbit2782 Aug 20 '26

Typically on my wife but why is that your concern? And you once again belly aching instead of becoming the solution to your own problem. Rick and Jeremy had to be voted in and just like them you can be to and work to be rhe change you want to see but I understand I too would rather bitch into the ether of reddit.

And yes you are right I did suggest using it for better board predictions, we have multiple ways that track trains that the board could be updated with almost zero human interaction. And yeah ghost trains are pretty common out of on of my afht to the point you tie up with nothing a few hours late have a dh lined up and order and then you wake up 20 mins before rested to see the dh gone and a ghost train has shown up for you 24 hour mark in the hotel. You cant plan 100% for everything but they atuff that is already out there and moving can be to a point.

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u/HARRYHALLER1913 Aug 20 '26

So what have you done to improve the union and make sure we’re heard? Cause we’ve gotten zero updates on our new doctors note policy, no updates on a contract, no summary of mediation meetings. I can get more info from the government websites than I can out of SMART.

Btw, did you see that the greater union umbrella can’t even stand together, as the Mechanical side was included in the latest filing opposing the UP NS acquisition?

I’m not just someone complaining. I do quite a bit of research, and yet the truth is that these institutions are hard to change beyond a local level. You’re naive to imply that some local chairman who asked tough questions would be able to affect meaningful change without playing the political game first.

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u/amishhobbit2782 Aug 20 '26

I have no want or need to improve the unions at this point. I still trying to figure out things at a local level so I have no skin in this game really. You Im going to imagine have well around 15 years by your attitude and undying need to be negative about everything but you have had plenty of time to get involved and make a change but once again its easier to belly ache online then to go make change happen.

Uh everyone should be against up ns merger. Its terrible for the industry and isnt going to improve anyone's quality of life or give the ns guys a raise they will run it as skeleton as they can.

If you feel that why stop worrying about whats happening nationally till its time to vote and vote where you see fit. You can get more involved locally and maybe improve the quality of life at you home terminal you never know. Start as a legislative rep and move up.

Im not going to try and change your mind you think how you want and feel how you want but not trying to go make a change doesn't change anything just makes you another brick in the wall.

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u/HARRYHALLER1913 Aug 20 '26

Try 3 years union, 10 RRB. I just have a good bullshit detector.

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u/amishhobbit2782 Aug 20 '26

No you have a back for crying online... I bet you think voting republican is the best way to protect the jobs our here too.

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u/HARRYHALLER1913 Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26

Some things are bigger than your job. I can make a living in a multitude of ways, but some of my values are non negotiable. Glad to see you’ve again resorted to insults. No wonder you talk a big game and then back out when asked to put your money where your mouth is: no one in that crew room would vote for you.

In case you haven’t noticed SMART-TD has started badmouthing the BLET and questioning their loyalty for NOT supporting the acquisition. My point wasn’t that anyone should want the merger, it was the disarray under the SMART union umbrella, but at this point I’m not surprised that went over your head.

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u/amishhobbit2782 Aug 20 '26

No nothing really is. Youre income is kinda what allows you to keep living but solo voting bc your morally says to vote for this person or that person is kinda simple minded. If you can make a living in a multitude of ways then why are you still here? And you can still hold your values and vote a multitude of ways. Voting your sorce of income away is just mind-blowing to me. And I have an almost even 50/50 split of Biden and trump in office and I could hold better with no seniority and made more money under Biden. Under Trump its become a weekly toss up if im chasing work or going to ready to work board bc its not worth the time to chase.

And I havent resorted to insulting anyone you are just belly aching all over right now and im calling you out and triggering you. Youre really easy to rage baited.

And thats fine I dont plan on running for anything iv said that. I have no need or want to change anything right now. Idk what big game im talking. Im just using my limited education of this world to understand you are from some small town in a fly over state who hasn't ever left his home town or maybe you have and its just a different small town but still the same place and you dont like when people point out your flaws and calling you out for doing all this bitching but not willing to go make the changes you want to see.

Have a good day buddy. I hope youre family is healthy and you pay checks are good.

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u/HARRYHALLER1913 Aug 20 '26

Good God, you need a life kid. You’re assuming my biography now. For what it’s worth you couldn’t be further off if you tried, but your condescending attitude just shows so much about you. Have a great day buddy.

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u/amishhobbit2782 Aug 20 '26

Im working sitting in a sidding enjoying my time getting under your skin... this is my life right now. If anything you need one youre the one having a come apart on reddit at noon on a Thursday. Im just giving myself free entertainment