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PTC: What it is, how it works

November 15, 2010 Los Angeles Metrolink — a 512-mile commuter rail system, which serves the Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernadino and Ventura — is moving to be the first railroad to install and implement a positive train control (PTC) system. [...]

Tags collision avoidance technology, positive train control, PTC, safety

Lame-duck legislation crucial for UTU members

November 15, 2010 WASHINGTON – A number of issues important to UTU members and working families is on tap for debate and vote this week as Congress returns for a lame-duck session. It is called a lame-duck session because House and Senate members who lost their seats in the Nov. 2 election rem [...]

DOT secretary: ‘HSR America’s jobs engine’

November 15, 2010 Comparing embryo high-speed rail projects with the birth of the Interstate Highway system more than half-a-century ago, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said last week that the competition America is facing is not between Democrats and Republicans, but “between the U [...]

Amtrak: ‘No interest’ in N.J.-N.Y. tunnel

November 12, 2010 In the wake of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — his state beset with financial woes — canceling a proposed $10 billion rail tunnel under the Hudson River linking New Jersey and New York City, word spread that New Jersey Transit and Amtrak had opened talks to fund [...]

Some truth, much legend, in ‘Unstoppable’

November 12, 2010 It was in the movie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, this memorable line was spoken: “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” Opening in movie theaters Nov. 12 is a movie combining fact and legend — the Hollywood version of a near-run railroad cal [...]

Tags Chris Pine, Denzel Washington, Forson, Knowlton, Unstoppable

Lawmakers change; our mission does not

November 11, 2010 By James Stem,UTU National Legislative Director With the election over, change has come to Washington. Since 2001, the congressional political majority has shifted three times. New majorities are nothing new to our UTU legislative team. While most UTU-endorsed candidates were [...]

Tags benefits, change, issues, job security, lawmakers, PAC, safety, Stem

Rahall to be ranking Dem. on T&I Committee

November 10, 2010 WASHINGTON — Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), a long-time friend of the UTU, will be the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee when the new Congress is seated in 2011. With the defeat Nov. 2 of Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), who had been c [...]

Tags committee, democrat, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Rahall, T&I

Hamburger helper Norfolk Southern style

November 10, 2010 PLATTSBURG, Ohio — Call it hamburger helper after a Norfolk Southern freight train plowed into a herd of cattle on the tracks here near Columbus, killing some 20 of the Black Angus cows, reports the Associated Press. The Associated Press quoted a NS engineer that his train of [...]

Continuing income a concern for retirees

November 10, 2010 After a lifetime of hard work, SMART TD rail, bus and airline members look forward to a secure retirement. In an ideal world, it would be that simple. In the real world, careful planning and attention to detail are essential. Topping the list of retirement concerns are money [...]

Begin your document search early

November 10, 2010 To apply for Railroad Retirement or Social Security benefits, you must provide certain information, and it is suggested you begin the process at least three months prior to your anticipated retirement date. You will need the following information to register successfully for [...]