Transportation News

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Former Wash. State Director Thomas Retterath dies

Former SMART TD (UTU Local 1348) Washington State Legislative Director Thomas R. Retterath died Monday, November 2, 2015 at the Hospice Care Center following a battle with cancer.  Retterath was drafted and served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966. In 1971 he began his railr [...]

NLX may restore passenger train service to Twin Cities

The Duluth News Tribune reported that within four years, the Northern Lights Express could be providing passenger rail service between the TwinPorts and the TwinCities (Minn.) four times per day.  Read the complete article here.

Cuomo orders heightened security for transit

Progressive Railroading reported that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed an executive order granting New Jersey and Connecticut law enforcement jurisdiction on New York’s public transportation services and facilities. These enhancements will allow regional government [...]

Safety Alert: shotgun shell found in locking pin

Canadian Pacific Railway recently reported that a shotgun shell was found in the locking pin of the coupler on the Quebec Gatineau Railway (QGRY) in Quebec. “This type of mischief has potentially fatal consequences and serves as a reminder that employees must always be [...]

Rail HAZMAT Training announced for 2016

RW Chemical Emergence Response Training The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program has scheduled new training programs for HAZMAT/Chemical Emergency Response for 2016. Three classes for RW Chemical Emergence Response are being offered in early 2016 in Houston. The [...]

FMCSA requires electronic logging devices

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the adoption of a final rule that will improve roadway safety by employing technology to strengthen commercial truck and bus drivers’ compliance with hours-of-se [...]

Answers sought in Boston Red Line train incident

NECN reported that MassODOT investigators are looking at possible causes of a Boston Red Line train that departed the station and ran for nine minutes without an operator, yet with passengers on board. The incident occurred early morning on Thursday, December 10. The operator [...]

Longevity of Railroad Retirement beneficiaries

Every three years, the Railroad Retirement Board’s Chief Actuary conducts a study of the longevity of its annuitants, as part of a valuation of future revenues and benefit payments. The following questions and answers summarize the results of the most recent longevity study. [...]