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...
January 25, 2024 | 2-man Crews, Legislation, News, Railroad Safety
From left: BLET Nebraska SLB Chairman Pat Pfeifer meets with FRA Administrator Amit Bose. Photo from the North Platte Bulletin ____________________ BLET Nebraska State Legislative Board Chairman Pat Pfeifer reports that a rail safety bill is currently making its way...
January 24, 2024 | Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Safety, Train Length
(Source: KRDO.com, January 22, 2024) A new train safety bill in the Colorado legislature, if passed, would require railroads to be equipped with more safety features, limit the length and weight of trains carrying hazardous materials and will also limit the time that...
January 5, 2024 | Education and Training, Health & Welfare, Legislation, News, Paid Sick Leave, Railroad Safety, Regional Meetings, Tentative Contract
Happy New Year! As we move forward into 2024, let’s examine the biggest achievements of the BLET’s five major departments in 2023: Protective, Legislative, Education & Training, Organizing, and Public Relations. Please enjoy our Year in Review!...
January 3, 2024 | East Palestine-NS, Headlines, Legislation, NTSB, Railroad Safety
(Source: Freight Waves, January 1, 2024) The passage of any rail safety legislation in Congress next year is likely to be influenced by two things, industry observers told FreightWaves: the 2024 presidential election and the release of a report by the National...
