I have my doubts they can move quite that fast. The tower still has some tangible assets (phone, computers, radio equipment, etc.) that will most likely be removed first, although it's entirely possible that they could strip the tower for a week and leave the operators with a mobile radio rig that walks out the door with them.

If it's like other operator jobs, they have 30 days yet to work, unless the job was abolished 30 days before the closing of the tower. It depends on the union agreement on the B&O over there.

When CSX closed Haley, the operators were moved to a mobile office/trailer. Even though they controlled nothing, they OS'd trains for a month before being cut loose.

The job abolition, in this case, was announced a month or so ago. Those of us "in the know" have had the date circled for just about a month now.

Many places that are being closed are "announced". But the railroad doesn't always notifiy the Union in writing until it actually happens, just in case the closing doesn't take place as scheduled.

Bill

Off the WVRailfans Yahoo Group:
"Just heard on 94...
"CM Dispatcher to the Switch Tender at Hancock., Over"
10:00
PF"

Guess that's it. According to one source the tower will be manned until the 22ed, but there have been a few stories flying around.

-Justin

Online reports elsewhere report the cutover was indeed made, and the signal bridge did indeed get lifted off and aside by this afternoon.

That "manned until the 22nd" means 7:00 A.M. Last shift is reported/supposedly "third trick" of the 21st (11 PM-7 AM), as per two operators at HO I talked to last Thursday.

If you see Larry or Joey, tell 'em I said hello and "best of luck" again.