“The Norfolk Southern line near me has “hot box detectors” about every 10 miles.”
Yep, here too. But this is what they get for getting rid of the Cabooses.
Yep. 2 man crews mostly, the conductor used to ride in the caboose. Now they ride in the lead locomotive and the End of Train or “the Fred” brings up the rear. This is what you get when “suits” run things. Running a railroad is the same as running a bank or running a chocolate factory to those idiots. They’re even pushing for one man crews.
Used to be two in the caboose, the brakeman and the conductor, and two in the locomotive, the engineer and the fireman. At least four humans and sets of eyes on each freight train.
Most trains now run with two, the engineer and the conductor and they both ride in the engine. Railroads really wanted to cut crew size down to one, but I believe they are required to have two aboard.
It also used to be that brakemen worked their way to conductor and firemen worked their way to engineer, its taking a long time to get the promotion, so crews had many years of experience.
My grandpa and one uncle were engineers and one uncle was a conductor on the UP back in the day. It was dangerous work and required tough men.