
technologySep 16, 20221:25:41pending
192. Why the Trains Don’t Run on Time (ft. Justin Roczniak)
Get every episode summarized
Each time This Machine Kills publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
About this episode
We are joined by Justin Roczniak—of the excellent engineering disasters podcast, Well There’s Your Problem—to talk about the potential freight rail strike that has been brewing for a long time and near-future scenarios for the supply chain. We discuss the horrid labor conditions in the industry and the scourge of Precision Scheduled Railroading, a system of management that has transformed the entire railroad sector so it serves one god: The Operating Ratio.
follow Justin: https://twitter.com/who_shot_jgr
Well There’s Your Problem: https://linktr.ee/wtyppod
Some stuff we reference:
••• SMART-TD, BLET joint statement on rail embargo https://smart-union.org/smart-td-blet-joint-statement-on-rail-embargo/
••• A Nationwide Freight Railroad Shutdown Could Cost $2 Billion a Day https://www.aar.org/economic-impact-of-railroad-shutdown#
••• ‘It’s Going to End Up Like Boeing’: How Freight Rail Is Courting Catastrophe https://www.vice.com/en/article/3angy3/freight-rail-train-disaster-avoidable-boeing
••• Rail Strike Threatens to Slow US Supply-Chain Recovery https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-09-12/supply-chain-latest-us-railroad-strike-threatens-supply-chain-recovery
••• Rail Unions Are Bargaining Over a Good Job Made Miserable https://www.labornotes.org/2022/02/rail-negotiations-are-about-good-job-made-miserable
Subscribe to hear more analysis and commentary in our premium episodes every week! www.patreon.com/thismachinekills
Grab TMK gear: www.bonfire.com/store/this-machine-kills-podcast
Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (www.twitter.com/jathansadowski) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.twitter.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (www.twitter.com/braunestahl)
Get every episode summarized
Each time This Machine Kills publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from This Machine Kills

Patreon Preview – 454. The Shocks Keep Coming
This Machine Kills
Apr 23, 20268:47failed

453. Super “Intelligent” Industrial Policy
This Machine Kills
Apr 15, 20261:40:38failed

Patreon Preview – 452. Lady Luck is the World Spirit
This Machine Kills
Apr 8, 20267:09failed

451. Do Not Become Addicted to Electrons (ft. Tim Sahay, Kate Mackenzie)
This Machine Kills
Apr 1, 20261:18:51failed