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The last few days I have been looking at the employment on the Surface Transportation Board webpage (http://www.stb.dot.gov). Comparing the numbers for August 2001 (the latest) with the freight railroads is revealing and makes an equally revealing pie chart.
Amtrak assigns only 16.4 percent of their employees to Train and Engine service, the most vital classification that generates revenue. The railroads employ 38.3 percent of their employees in the same category. Transportation (other than train and engine) is a support function at 14.2 percent for Amtrak and 4.5 percent for the railroads. All other support categories for Amtrak are on the high side.
Maintenance of Way is particularly high considering the few miles of track Amtrak owns. Professional and Administrative is also out of line.
Amtrak: Executives Officials 1,872 Professional Administrative 5,081 Maintenance Of Way 3,152 Maintenance Equipment/Stores 6,376 Transportation Support 3,373 Train and Engine 3,904
Totals for 8 railroads
BNSF, CSX, CN/GTW, CN/IC, KCS, NS, SOO, UP:Executives Officials 10,676 Professional Administrative 15,745 Maintenance Of Way 35,362 Maintenance Equipment/Stores 31,509 Transportation Support 7,366 Train and Engine 62,560
