May 30, 2024 | FRA, Headlines, Railroad Safety, Train Length
(Source: Trains.com, May 29, 2024) The risk of derailment increases with freight train length, according to an academic study published today, which found that a 200-car train is 24% more likely to derail than a 50-car train. The study — by researchers from Brigham...
May 17, 2024 | Derailment, East Palestine-NS, Headlines, Railroad Safety, Train Length
(Source: Claims Journal, May 16, 2024) The longer the freight train, the greater the risk of derailment, new research from the Society for Risk Analysis shows. The study, published in the journal Risk Analysis, was led by Peter Madsen of Brigham Young University’s...
April 22, 2024 | Legislation, News, Railroad Safety, Train Length
Colorado State Legislative Board Chairman Paul Pearson ___________________ Colorado BLET members are working hard to secure passage of a major rail safety bill in the state’s legislature. BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative Vince Verna, BLET...
April 2, 2024 | 2-man Crews, FRA, News, Railroad Safety, Train Length
Statement by Eddie Hall BLET National President April 2, 2024 For the past 13 years our union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, has advocated for a federal rule requiring that trains be staffed by a minimum of one certified engineer and a...
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...
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 18, 2024 | Headlines, NS, PSR, Train Length
(Source: Television KTVI, January 16, 2024) CLINTON COUNTY, Illinois — Albers Mayor Steve Schomaker and Police Chief Brian Vielweber said that trains now take 15, 20, even 25 minutes to pass through town. First responders have to wait for them like everyone else, with...
October 16, 2023 | FRA, News, Train Length
Citing numerous recent accidents caused in part by excessively long trains, the BLET has urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to issue an Emergency Order establishing a maximum train length of 7,500 feet on the nation’s Class I railroads. BLET National...
October 13, 2023 | Headlines, Train Length, UP
(Source: Television station KTRK, October 6, 2023) POLK COUNTY, Texas — Two years after the death of a baby, along with numerous safety complaints from neighbors, two Union Pacific railroad crossings are closing in Polk County. Full story:...
July 28, 2023 | FRA, Headlines, Train Length
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 24, 2023) In a follow-up to its recent safety advisory on train length, the Federal Railroad Administration is calling on Class Is to report every month the number, length and weight of trains operated on their rail lines. Full...
