February 8, 2024 | FRA, Headlines, Railroad Safety, Short Line
(Source: Railfan & Railroad Magazine, February 6, 2024) The Federal Railroad Administration issued a rare emergency order shutting down an Oklahoma short line following the discovery of multiple derailments and safety violations. In an emergency order posted this...
February 8, 2024 | East Palestine-NS, Headlines, Railroad Safety
(Source: Washington Post, February 3, 2024) Publicly, Norfolk Southern and its peers have pledged to work with lawmakers on the bill. But the companies have still labored to severely weaken or eliminate some of its core provisions, according to 15 lawmakers,...
February 6, 2024 | East Palestine-NS, News, Railroad Safety
In an interview with America’s Work Force Union Podcast, BLET National President Eddie Hall talked about growing concerns with rail safety one year after the tragic events of East Palestine, Ohio. He said the Norfolk Southern derailment of February 3, 2023, brought...
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 | News, NS, Railroad Safety
The BLET and Norfolk Southern will begin working together to improve safe train operations under a joint FRA Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). The Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU), was announced on January 29. C3RS allows operating...
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,...
February 2, 2024 | Headlines, NS, Railroad Safety
(Source: Associated Press, January 29, 2024) About 1,000 engineers and conductors who work for Norfolk Southern will soon be able to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without any fear of discipline. Officials with the unions that signed onto...
February 2, 2024 | Headlines, NS, Railroad Safety
(Source: Television station WDBJ 7, January 30, 2024) The Confidential Close Call Reporting System has been used successfully in the aviation industry, but so far, only about two dozen of the 800 railroads in the U.S. are participating. “It’s a good deal. And it’s a...
February 1, 2024 | News, Railroad Safety
As we advance into 2024, the BLET is advancing rail safety legislation in multiple state legislatures throughout the United States. Previously, we reported on a bill in Nebraska. Last week, we added Virginia and Colorado to the list. In Virginia, BLET State...
