Re: Paid staff vs Contractors

Garrett Augustus Wrote:
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> I can't see how spending money on contractors
> is cost effective but those arguing the other side say
> that the contractors can produce more work,faster,
> with less supervision. And in the tourist/preservation
> railroad world, talent is hard to find.

Good points Garrett.

Contractors still need supervision, all the way from the day a contract is signed to the day a project is completed. Some folks forget that an individual contractor has to direct their own staff as well. The larger the staff, the greater the overhead for the contractor and hence the higher the rate being charged by the contractor.

When you are using an outside contractor you are really buying 'time' or 'skill' and sometimes both. Determining whether or not a project should be outsourced should be determined well before a project is underway during the assessment process or scope of the project. Contractors have a place in the tourist/restoration/preservation railroad world and a good project manager should be able to quickly determine where that place is.

Believe me, I have worked with plenty of estimators, project managers and project engineers that have shined like the brightest star on a clear night and I have worked with those that couldn't figure their way out of a wet paper bag meanwhile the project goes to hell.

Erik Young
Caltrans CEO II, Long Barn Road Crew 664: 2018-Present
Caltrans CEO II, Sonora Road Crew 662: 2015-2018
Caltrans CEO II, Merced West Crew 694: 2010-2015
Engineer/Fireman: Hetch Hetchy & Yosemite Valleys Railway
Engineer/Fireman/Conductor: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park 1996-2010
CMO Dardenelle & Eastern Ry
Operating Engineer: init. 12/1985, IUOE Local #3
'Steam Freak At Large'