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Washington, D.C. (January 31, 2018) – SMART Transportation Division announced today the introduction of the Safe Freight Act (S.2360) by U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), which would require two crew members — one certified locomotive engineer and one certified conductor — on our nation’s freight trains.
S.2360 is a companion bill to H.R. 233, introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska). As of its introduction, the Safe Freight Act has five cosponsors in the Senate. H.R. 233 has 74 bipartisan cosponsors in the House of Representatives.
For several years, SMART Transportation Division has asserted that a minimum two-person train crew is a vital component of rail safety and sound public policy. In 2013, Transport Canada established a government mandate requiring two-person crews in response to the Lac-Mégantic oil train disaster when a freight train carrying 72 tank cars of crude oil derailed and exploded, killing 47 people after its single crew member left the train unattended. The United States has yet to follow suit with a federally promulgated rule or law, and only five states have implemented a two-person train crew requirement.
“We are very pleased that Sen. Heitkamp has introduced this vital rail safety legislation, said John Previsich, President of the SMART Transportation Division. “For the same reasons that we have a pilot and copilot on commercial jetliners, two qualified crewmembers are essential to the safe operation of trains through our nation’s communities. Bottom line economics should never be permitted to stand in the way of employee and public safety. The only safe way to operate a train is with two crewmembers on board the locomotive.”
Heitkamp has long supported requiring two-person train crews and is a key advocate for rail safety. On July 15, 2016, Heitkamp testified in favor of the pending two-person crew federal rule before the Federal Railroad Administration. The derailment of a crude oil train near Casselton, N.D., had led Heitkamp to launch an initiative to address emerging challenges in the wake of the state’s energy boom.
“When a disaster like the Casselton derailment sends shockwaves through our communities, we must do everything we can to prevent accidents and improve our ability to respond in the future,” Heitkamp said. “After the Casselton derailment, it was clear that having two crewmembers on board the train made all the difference to prevent the fire from escalating and threatening those living nearby. My legislation is a commonsense way to make our communities strong and safe while supporting an industry that is vital to North Dakota jobs and prosperity.”
S.2360 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for further consideration.
Joining Heitkamp as cosponsors are U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Angus King (I-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

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The SMART Transportation Division, formerly the United Transportation Union, is the largest rail union in the United States representing members in all operating crafts, including engineers, conductors, trainmen, switchmen and yardmasters.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The first step in the process to mandate a minimum of two-person freight train crews in Ohio (H.B. 107) occurred Wednesday, March 29, when the Ohio Transportation & Safety Committee held its first hearing on the bill.
To make H.B. 107 a law in Ohio, we need TD union members, friends, family and anyone who cares about the safety of workers and the safety of our communities to click the link below to send a message to the members of the Ohio Transportation & Safety Committee, urging them to support this vital safety measure.
TAKE ACTION! Take a minute and click here to send a message in support of Ohio H.B. 107. Please share with friends and family to do the same!
TAKE ACTION IN YOUR STATE! Email us news of two-person crew or right-to-work (IS WRONG) legislation in your state to News_TD@smart-union.org.
TAKE ACTION to support H.R. 233, The Safe Freight Act, which would require a minimum of two-person crews on all freight trains operating in the United States. Click here to send a message to your U.S. House and Senate reps. in support of H.R. 233.
TAKE ACTION by calling members of the Ohio Transportation & Safety Committee (phone numbers listed below). Ask your Representatives to support H.B. 107 and thank the sponsors and co-sponsors for their support.
Ohio House Transportation & Safety Committee members (in order by district):

  • *Tom Patton (R – Dist. 7): 614-466-4895
  • *Stephanie Howse (D – Dist. 11): 614-466-1414
  • VC Dave Greenspan (R – Dist. 16): 614-466-0961
  • *Jim Hughes (R – Dist. 24): 614-466-8012
  • Alicia Reece (D – Dist. 33): 614-466-1308
  • Tony DeVitis (R – Dist. 36): 614-466-1790
  • *Mike Sheehy (D – Dist. 46): 614-466-1418
  • *Thomas West (D – Dist. 49): 614-466-8030
  • Candice Keller (R – Dist. 53): 614-644-5094
  • Nathan Manning (R – Dist. 55): 614-644-5076
  • *Michele LaPore-Hagan (D – Dist. 58): 614-466-9435
  • Chairman Doug Green (R – Dist. 66): 614-644-6034
  • Darrell Kick (R – Dist. 70): 614-466-2994
  • Larry Householder (R – Dist. 72): 614-466-2500
  • Terry Johnson (R – Dist. 90): 614-466-2124

*Denotes Sponsor or Co-sponsor of H.B. 107

Along with Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), leaders and members of transportation unions, including TTD and SMART TD, provided compelling testimony to the FRA today, in support of a federal rule that would mandate a minimum of two crew members for all freight train operations.  Read the complete TTD press release here
 
 

Amarillo.com reported that BNSF freight trains collided head-on this morning in the town of Panhandle, Texas, near Amarillo, creating a massive fireball and explosion that prompted a swift  evacuation of Panhandle residents. Injuries and missing persons have been reported; at this time, no details have surfaced regarding those missing, or the number or severity of injuries.  Read the complete story here.  texas train collision Photo courtesy of ABC News.  

two-person_crewThe Press of Atlantic City reported that the Maryland Senate voted 32-14 for a measure requiring a crew of at least two people on freight trains in Md. Read the entire story here.

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Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith reports that the Colorado House of Representatives’ Transportation and Energy Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1136 (H.B. 1136). H.B. 1136 is the state’s two-person crew bill for freight trains operating within the state. The hearing will be held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax, Denver, CO, in room 0112. “Members are encouraged to attend the hearing and show their support for this important safety bill,” Smith said. “Colorado residents can use corailsafe.com to contact their state legislators and encourage them to support H.B. 1136 for safety.”

PA House of Reps SealPennsylvania State Legislative Director Paul Pokrowka reports that the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee will be conducting a public hearing on House Bill 1797 – the state’s two-person crew bill – Feb. 4, at the SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street (Mezzanine Level), Philadelphia, PA. The hearing will start at 1:00 p.m.

Pokrowka was instrumental in getting this bill to fruition, having brought the two-person crew issue to the Pa. House of Representatives’ attention almost a year ago. Transportation Committee Chairman John Taylor (R – District 177), has asked Pokrowka to act as a presenter at the hearing.

H.B. 1797 reads as follows:

“(a) No train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight may be operated unless it has a crew consisting of at least two individuals.

“(b) Any person who willfully violates this section shall be guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay the following:

  1. not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 for a first offense;
  2. not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for a second offense committed within three years; and
  3. not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000 for a third offense and subsequent offenses committed within three years of the first offense.

“(c) The provisions of subsection (a) do not apply to hostler service or utility employees.”

Pokrowka encourages all Pennsylvania members to attend this important public hearing in support of H.B. 1797.

Amtrak 054A new survey reaffirms support for expanding passenger rail service in Iowa.

More than half the participants — 56 percent — in a survey conducted by the SMART Transportation Division said passenger rail service in Iowa should increase. Another 77 percent said Amtrak should add service from Des Moines to Chicago, a concept that once had steam but has stagnated for several years due to lack of funding.

Read more from The Gazette.

two-person_crewLegislation to protect communities along rail lines and railroad workers by requiring trains and light engines carrying freight within California to be operated with an adequate crew size received support from the State Assembly with a 51-28 vote.

The bill, authored by Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Solano, now goes to Governor Jerry Brown (D).

“Today’s freight trains carry extremely dangerous materials, including Bakken crude oil, ethanol, anhydrous ammonia, liquefied petroleum gas, and acids that may pose significant health and safety risks to communities and our environment in the case of an accident,” Wolk said. “With more than 5,000 miles of railroad track that crisscrosses the state through wilderness and urban areas, the potential for derailment or other accidents containing these materials is an ever present danger. I urge the governor to sign this bill into law, providing greater protection to communities located along rail lines in California, and to railroad workers.”

Read more from Times-Herald News.