In OTHER Strasburg news.................

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2025 3:57 pm

............ and not the kind of news coverage you want:

https://www.fox43.com/article/news/loca ... dfddb6d24d

Quote:

RONKS, Pa. — The Strasburg Railroad Co. in Lancaster County has been ordered to reinstate an employee and pay them back wages and damages after the employee was fired for refusing to give locomotive and conductor licenses to untrained and unqualified candidates, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Friday.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated a whistleblower complaint by the terminated employee, who claimed they were fired after refusing to issue the licenses due to safety and legal reasons.

More at the link.

More, sort of:

https://www.abc27.com/local-news/lancas ... s-damages/

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:15 pm

Hopefully an anomaly in an otherwise exemplary operation.

R Paul Carey · **Joined:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:48 am **Posts:** 80

The OSHA decision protecting the unnamed whistleblower is just and welcome news. What is not revealed, however, is the action (if any) taken against the unnamed Manager for this example of gross malfeasance.

As I write, I feel conflicted with respect to what is an internal matter for Strasburg, so will simply note they have built their sterling reputation for excellence over many years...

at a consequential price.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

It is not a private matter anymore… and it’s quite concerning.

Boilermaker · **Joined:** Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:47 pm **Posts:** 219

Crescent-Zephyr wrote:

It is not a private matter anymore… and it’s quite concerning.

Although it's worth noting that this happened three-ish years ago and the executive that fired the individual has not been employed by the company for almost as long. This story is only making waves now because of how long it takes litigation and investigations to play out, and there's nothing to say that the company still operates in this manner.

Knowing a number of individuals who work there, this one bad actor should not and does not represent the underlying culture of the place.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

Agreed with your points boilermaker!

I think some people think issues like this and the 611 issues are bad to be brought public - but major safety issues and financial issues have to be brought to the light of day so they can be fixed and so that the industry can be safer and more financially secure in the future.

co614 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 18, 2025 3:49 pm

Human being involved endeavors are imperfect as we all know. Strasburg has earned the industry recognition that both its train operating side and its mechanical services side are the best in the business and the " Gold Standard" against which all others are judged.

This unfortunate incident will certainly not define the enterprise, especially knowing that the officer whose bad judgement caused this is gone.

Ross Rowland

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

What makes Strasburg the “gold standard”? They certainly aren’t the gold standard of double checking switch points.

co614 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:21 pm

As your knowledge of the industry matures you'll understand full well why they are the " Gold Standard"

Give it time. Ross Rowland

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

Haha! I love being talked down to - it’s the best. :)

Do you not have an answer to my question? It’s a lovely politicians trick to answer a legitimate question with an insult.

Boilermaker · **Joined:** Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:47 pm **Posts:** 219

Yes, because they have been the ONLY railroad in the last decade to run through a misaligned switch. GTFOH

Dave · **Posted:** Sun Jan 19, 2025 8:23 am

Shit, I had 3 in one day - one by the track crew running their speeder on to the ground. It's the railroad, it happens.

R Paul Carey · **Joined:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:48 am **Posts:** 80

Thank you, Boilermaker, for the important context you have posted.

So far as I'm concerned, this matter is closed.

msrlha_archivist · **Joined:** Sat Mar 02, 2013 3:33 pm **Posts:** 151

Crescent-Zephyr wrote:

What makes Strasburg the “gold standard”? They certainly aren’t the gold standard of double checking switch points.

C-Z, Were you fired from Strasburg? You sure seem to have an axe to grind with this operation and have taken them to task repeatedly, even often questioning Kelly Anderson's knowledgeable posts here in the past. Your harassment was the reason he packed up his tools and left this forum. We have only you to thank for the loss of his expertise here. But, your longstanding shared experiences around steam and boilers sure fills that void! LOL.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

That’s quite the accusation - Kelly never reached out to me in a PM to let me know anything I said bothered him - not sure why he was above questioning - he’s not a god lol.

This site is the definition of the issue with most operations - anyone dares questions “the old guard” they are the problem and should be banned or kicked out of the operation.

I actually love Strasburg! One of my favorite operations tied with Durango. I’ve been there many times over the years and always had a great time.