(Fred Woodhams of the Port Huron Times Herald published the following article on May 13. Greg Powell is the BLE’s Michigan State Legislative Board Chairman.)
PORT HURON, Mich. — Port Huron likely won’t join a number of Michigan cities that ban remote-control trains within its city limits after a recommendation Monday by the city manager.
City Manager Tom Hutka told the council the federal government has sole authority to regulate railroad operations, so any rule the city approved could be challenged in court.
Additionally, the agency responsible for trains, the Federal Railroad Administration, is reviewing remote-control rules, he said.
“Currently, there is much discussion among the unions, the (railroad) companies and the federal government,” he said.
No remote-control trains are believed to operate in the city.
Sarnia has had them for some time.
The council had asked Hutka to review the matter after Greg Powell of the Michigan Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers sought council action.
Powell wanted the city to ban the trains, which have no engineer aboard, because the union claims they are a safety hazard.
The railroad companies maintain the trains are safer.
Council members said they agreed with Hutka’s reading of the situation and wouldn’t push for a resolution.
“At this point, it looks to be a management-union issue,” Councilman Cliff Schrader said.
In November, Detroit banned remote-control locomotives.
In December, Marysville approved a resolution calling for the federal government to review such trains.
Durand in Shiawassee County and cities in Louisiana also have taken up the issue.