February 27, 2024 | Legislation, News, Railroad Safety
Many BLET members were on hand along with Ohio Rep. Sean Brennan to throw their support behind HB 381 that would rename a northeast Ohio highway interchange to honor fallen Brother Lou Shuster. Ohio Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman John Esterly reports that the...
February 22, 2024 | 2-man Crews, Legislation, News, Railroad Safety
Virginia BLET Virginia State Legislative Board Chairman Tim Craver reports progress on the state’s two-person crew bill. Both bills — SB 143 and HB 385 — have passed their respective chambers after their third reading earlier this month. Both are in the legislature’s...
February 15, 2024 | Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Safety, UP
(Source: The Gazette, February 11, 2024) As Colorado lawmakers this month prepare to do something that Congress has been incapable of for more than a year — debate meaningful rail-safety legislation — Union Pacific, state regulators and officials in Grand County are...
February 14, 2024 | 2-man Crews, Legislation, News, Railroad Safety
A filibuster stretching over three days derailed a proposal in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature to require two-person train crews. State Sen. Mike Jacobson sponsored the proposal, which had been introduced multiple times in recent years. This was the first time...
February 8, 2024 | 2-man Crews, Legislation, News, Railroad Safety, Train Length
Virginia State Senator Jennifer D. Carroll Foy (center, maroon), the Chief Patron of SB 143, with the BLET’s Herb Harris (green tie) and Tim Craver (far right) and fellow supporters of the rail safety bill. ____________________ In a follow up to a recent Legislative...
February 8, 2024 | 2-man Crews, Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Safety
(Source: Nebraska Examiner, February 2, 2024) A filibuster stretching over three days derailed a proposal Friday to require two-person crews on trains operated by major railroads in Nebraska. Full story: Nebraska Examiner
February 5, 2024 | Derailment, Fatality, FRA, Legislation, News, NS, Railroad Safety
On January 25, 2024, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced a final rule requiring railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses to train crew members who work on hazardous materials trains. The FRA press release announcing the final rule...
February 3, 2024 | 2-man Crews, East Palestine-NS, Legislation, News, NS, Railroad Safety
In an ideal world, February 3, 2024, would serve as a day to reflect on the safety improvements the rail industry has made since Norfolk Southern’s derailment and massive chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio. But the sad reality is that the rail industry has learned...
February 2, 2024 | East Palestine-NS, Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Safety, TTD
(Source: Trains.com, February 1, 2024) Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the leaders of all 13 railroad labor unions today urged Congress to tighten rail safety regulations as the one-year anniversary of the disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio,...
January 26, 2024 | East Palestine-NS, Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Safety
(Source: Transport Topics, January 25, 2024) Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently pressed Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen rail safety policies. Ideally, he emphasized, congressional action on the measure would occur before the anniversary of...
