railroad safety

7 hot issues for rail stakeholders in 2024

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Railroads, shippers and unions are tracking hot topics ranging from service improvement to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/7-hot-issues-for-rail-stakeholders-in-2024

Will Congress pass any rail safety bills in 2024?

The passage of any rail safety legislation in Congress next year is likely to be influenced by two things, industry observers told FreightWaves: the 2024 presidential election and the release of a report by the National Transportation Safety Board on the February 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio.

That February derailment — although it resulted in no injuries or deaths — has prompted calls to bolster rail safety because it led to the venting of tank cars...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/will-congress-pass-any-rail-safety-bills-in-2024

Maintenance-of-way rail union and Union Pacific tussle over furloughs

Debate about furloughs at Union Pacific and how many employees could be affected continue to play out in the public arena following a recent industry conference where Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman called out Union Pacific leadership.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way – Employes Division (BMWED) sent two letters to the STB: one on Oct. 27 before the RailTrends conference in November hosted by Progressive Railroading and independent Wall Street analyst Tony Hatch and one...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/maintenance-of-way-rail-union-and-union-pacific-tussle-over-furloughs

Chances dim for Senate vote on rail safety bill: Consultant

Prospects for rail safety legislation in Congress to move forward in the waning weeks of 2023 appear dim, given other pressing national issues and even “mental exhaustion” among politicians, according to a former U.S. Department of Transportation official who now heads a consulting firm.

“I think the bottom line is that it’s probably unlikely at this point that we’re gonna see any legislation this year. And next year — being an election year  — is also looking pretty grim as far as prospects for...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/chances-dim-for-senate-vote-on-rail-safety-bill-consultant

FRA wants railroads to bolster winter operation procedures

U.S. railroads should beef up the procedures they use for responding to adverse weather conditions, including seeing how weather-related technologies can be integrated into positive train control and whether the railroads can collaborate on developing best practices, according to a safety advisory from the Federal Railroad Administration.

The agency hopes that by issuing the safety advisory, railroads can reduce the incident level of weather-related accidents. In this latest advisory, FRA...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fra-wants-railroads-to-bolster-winter-operation-procedures

Railroad signalers union to conduct safety program with Norfolk Southern

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) announced two endeavors Thursday involving the two Eastern U.S. Class I railroads: a collaboration with Norfolk Southern for a pilot safety program with Norfolk Southern (NS) and a sick leave agreement with CSX. 

BRS’ collaboration with NS (NYSE: NSC) will consist of a one-year pilot program developed with input from the Federal Railroad Administration. The program will look at identifying safety improvements and best practices when sharing information...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/railroad-signalers-union-to-conduct-safety-program-with-norfolk-southern

Locomotive engineers’ union calls for limiting freight train lengths

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The argument over whether the Class I railroads should deploy longer trains continues, with the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/locomotive-engineers-union-calls-for-limiting-freight-train-lengths

NTSB chair: Freight trains should also have image recording devices

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The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board said a new federal rule requiring the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-chair-freight-trains-should-also-have-image-recording-devices

NTSB probe of CSX carman death to focus on safety protocols, awareness

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The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of a September death at a CSX rail yard in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-probe-of-csx-carman-death-to-focus-on-safety-protocols-awareness

Biden holding Norfolk Southern accountable for East Palestine recovery

President Joe Biden has issued an executive order designed to ensure that Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) “continues meeting its obligations to the community” following the Feb. 3 derailment of an NS train in East Palestine, Ohio.

The Wednesday order also directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to appoint a federal disaster recovery coordinator to oversee long-term public and private recovery efforts.

East Palestine and surrounding communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania have been impacted by...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-holding-norfolk-southern-accountable-for-east-palestine-recovery

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