FRA Certification Helpline: (216) 694-0240

Brother Charles B. “Charlie” Smith, 35, was struck and killed by an Amtrak train as he boarded his Norfolk Southern freight train just north of the Edgemore freight yard near Delaware. It is believed he either fell or was “sucked in” by the wind of the fast moving passenger train. Brother Smith was 22 years old when he first joined the BLE on Aug. 17, 1989. He was Local Chairman of BLE Division 484 (Delmar, Del.) at the time of his death. He is survived by a wife and two children. “He was a very conscientious union representative and a good man,” said Division 484 Secretary-Treasurer Everette M. Masten Jr.