News Archive
Rails post highest weekly coal carloads of year
U.S. railroads hauled the highest number of carloads so far this year in the week that ended Saturday (Aug. 2), partly driven by low stockpiles at US utilities and pressure from producers to move more coal. The Association of American Railroads said Thursday (Aug. 7) that wee [...]Conductor hospitalized for possible hazmat contact
BRYAN COUNTY, Okla. — A Burlington Northern Santa Fe train conductor was taken to Texoma Medical Center in Denison early Wednesday morning after he possibly came in contact with hazardous materials. Emergency crews responded to the train tracks just north of Platter Roa [...]DOT: Rails lack insurance for oil train disasters
The insurance policies that most railroads have cannot cover the costs of many crashes or derailments involving oil trains, the Department of Transportation said. New safety rules for oil trains proposed last week would not mandate higher insurance levels than the $25 million [...]With our foundation laid, let the building continue
I was honored to speak before the assembled delegates at the SMART Transportation Division’s recent convention in San Diego. The level of professionalism in putting together that important event and the solidarity shown by those assembled made me proud of my association with [...]Our membership can stand proud, but the task is not over
Strong, Proud, United. That was the theme of our recent convention in San Diego and it was reflected in all respects by the delegates, members and officers in attendance. The heritage and traditions of this great union were on display throughout the meeting, illustrating the [...]New rail hazmat training programs being offered
Members of the Rail Workers Hazmat Training Program Advisory Board, including SMART Transportation Division National Legislative Director James Stem, met July 10, 2014, to review and discuss the offerings and progress of the program since the transition from the National Labo [...]