CLEVELAND, August 29 — On August 11, the city of Mankato, Minn. joined 35 other cities in passing a resolution opposing remote control locomotives within its jurisdiction.
The effort to pass the resolution was spearheaded by BLE Division 9 (Waseca, Minn.) President D.A. Boeck. BLE Union Pacific Northern Lines General Chairman Bruce D. MacArthur commended Boeck and the rest of the members of Division 9 for their effort.
The resolution stated that the city of Mankato was taking this action in order to ensure the safety of its citizens, and it asks that the Federal Railroad Administration develop comprehensive regulations for the use of remote control locomotives.
In addition to Mankato, 25 U.S. cities have adopted similar resolutions: Baton Rouge, La.; Detroit, Mich.; Shreveport, La.; Marysville, Mich.; Boston, Mass.; Cleveland, Ohio; Pine Bluff, Ark.; North Little Rock, Ark.; Beardstown, Ill.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Woodbridge, N.J.; Belen, N.M.; Maple Heights, Ohio; Alliance, Neb.; Evansville, Ind.; Dupo, Ill.; Durand, Mich; Flat Rock, Mich.; Woodhaven, Mich; Flint, Mich.; Sparks, Nev.; Commerce, Calif.; Clinton, Iowa; Montebello, Calif.; Saginaw, Mich.
Also, 10 counties have passed similar remote control resolutions. They are: Douglas County, Wisc.; West Baton Rouge Parish, La.; Point Coupee Parish, La.; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Huron County, Ohio; Erie County, Ohio; Whitley County, Ky.; Unicoi County, Tenn.; Contra Costa County, Calif.; and Knox County, Tenn.
For a PDF copy of the resolution, click here:
http://www.ble.org/pr/pdf/mankato.pdf