San Antonio Community Advisory Panel
Minutes of Meeting: Sunset Station, Harrisburg House, 123 Heiman, April 3, 2012
Attending: Ronnie Brannon, Betsy Cameron, Jessica Castiglione, Rene Chadick, Allison Cohen, Thomas Krueger, Eamonn Grant, Leslie Harlan, Jesse Hereford, Yolanda Hotman, Ivan Jaime, Jen Martinez, Jim Meadows, Antonio Salinas, Al Serna, Jane Thomas, Wendel Tomlin, Lori Wuest, Mike Brazytis, Linda Ximenes
Ivan Jaime opened the meeting and announced a series of Union Pacific-sponsored events this month during Fiesta. Information on the events will be sent to all CAP members soon.
Mike Brazytis, Superintendent of the San Antonio Service Unit, spoke to the CAP members about UP’s track maintenance procedures highlighting how they have progressively used more and more technology to be able to be more precise and efficient in maintaining the track in good condition. Over the years, the trains have become heavier, there is more traffic and people involved, and hazardous materials are now being carried whereas they were not many years ago. All of this requires additional maintenance and care to assure the safety of the cargo and the people in and around the trains.
To this end, UP uses a regular maintenance program that includes a “geometry car” that provides a mile-by-mile video inspection of track to determine its condition. Tracks are inspected daily for vegetation obstruction, drainage issues, and other problems that could arise from one day to the next. Weekly inspections are held on track that is less used like sidings and turnouts. Track is inspected immediately after specific weather conditions such as heavy rains and tornadoes or hurricanes, to be able to safely run the trains in that area. UP even has a special weather tracking system in Omaha to be able to anticipate and reduce or prevent weather-related impacts to the trains and tracks.
Planning is an integral part of the track maintenance program, using data to determine the kinds of repairs being made and where in order to foresee where problems are likely to occur.Risk mitigation is also a part of the planning process for track maintenance.
Minor track repairs and adjustments to the tracks are made on a regular basis in those places where it looks like a problem may occur. Preventive maintenance such as greasing switches is also done. Major repairs are done using the Quality Standard Process (QSP) to repair tracks in a safe, efficient and speedy manner. They are considering how to use a tank train that would be able to put water on the tracks to reduce dust on and around the tracks and for use during drought conditions to prevent fires along the tracks. Mr. Brazytis emphasized that thorough, efficient track maintenance and repair is good business as well as good safety.
The next CAP meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Sunset Station.