Category: News
VP Dave Wier retires, John Whitaker elevated
John D. Whitaker III has been elevated to vice president from alternate vice president after Vice President David B. Wier retired April 1. Whitaker’s railroad career began in 1997 when he hired out as a conductor with CSX Transportation. In 2002, he was certified as an engine [...]
Maryland moves forward with two-person crew legislation
The state of Maryland is one step closer to having a two-person crew law on the books. H.B. 66 passed both houses of the state General Assembly and now heads to Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk for consideration. The bill passed the state House with 102 voting yea, 30 voting nay, four [...]
SOFA releases fatality and severe injury report for the 4th quarter 2018
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Switching Operations Fatality Analysis working group (SOFA) – which has three SMART TD representatives – has released its switching fatality and severe injury update for the fourth quarter of 2018. SOFA reported a total of 17 severe [...]
Metro-North, NJT heavily fined by FRA since 2013
According to an analysis done by northjersey.com, Metro-North, New Jersey Transit (NJT) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars since 2013. Before the companies’ lawyers negotiated for lower fines, Metro-North had been assessed mo [...]Amtrak budget again being targeted
Amtrak as we know it is in the budget crosshairs again, and if proposed cuts go through, it could have a lasting effect on not only our nation’s communities, but Railroad Retirement benefits as well. President Donald Trump’s budget request proposes a $1.06 billion reduction i [...]
Wyoming SLB supports Boys & Girls Club
The SMART TD Wyoming State Legislative Board, led by State Director Stan Blake, recently donated $1,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Sweetwater County, reported Wyo 4 News. “We are so grateful for Representative Blake for helping us secure this donation. He has been a huge [...]
Permit sought for Alaska Railroad expansion into Canada
Alaska Railroad could get an extension into Canada, pending the approval of a permit from President Donald Trump, reports the Anchorage Daily News. In the proposed project by the Alberta to Alaska Railway Development Corporation (A2A), 1,700 miles of track would be built in a [...]
Former Virginia Sen., DLC Willard Moody Sr. dies
Willard James Moody, Sr., a well-regarded attorney and former state legislator who served as a longtime Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) for the United Transportation Union (UTU) and advocated on behalf of railroad workers in the court of law throughout his life, passed away Ma [...]