CLEVELAND, February 24 — The City of Pine Bluff, Ark. became the seventh U.S. city to take action against remote control locomotives within its jurisdiction. On Tuesday, February 18, the city council passed a resolution banning remote control locomotives within the city limits until certain safety requirements are met.
Pine Bluff joins Baton Rouge, La., Shreveport, La., Detroit, Mich., Marysville, Mich., Boston, Mass. and Cleveland, Ohio in calling for improved safety regarding remote control trains. The Pine Bluff resolution, like many of the others, cites safety at grade crossings by the public, the threat of terrorism and dangers of hazardous materials.
Arkansas State Legislative Board Chairman T.L. Todd and BLE Division 858 Local Committee member Jay Callaway were in attendance at the meeting. The vote was the culmination of six weeks of hard work for Todd and members of Division 858.
Along with Todd and Callaway, BLE Division 858 members Jim Varnell, Travis Trice and Robert Lindsey worked to get the resolution passed. Chairman Todd would also like to thank Alderman Dale Dixon for his help.
Click here for a PDF version of the resolution.