Transportation News

Visit the digital archive of the SMART-TD News (PDFs)

FRA proposes rule for passenger side door safety

The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing to improve the integrity of passenger train exterior side door safety systems and promote passenger train safety overall through new safety standards relating to the safe operation and use of passenger train exterior side doors [...]

Emergency brake failed to stop Chicago train

CHICAGO – An emergency track-side braking system activated but failed to stop a Chicago commuter train from jumping the tracks and barreling to the top of an escalator at O’Hare International Airport, a federal investigator said Tuesday. The events that led to Monday [...]

Obama Announces Second PEB in LIRR Dispute

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, March 20, signed an executive order creating a second Presidential Emergency Board to help resolve an ongoing dispute between the Long Island Rail Road and some of its unionized employees. The appointment of a second PEB means that a strik [...]

Obama announces second PEB in LIRR dispute

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, March 20, signed an executive order creating a second Presidential Emergency Board to help resolve an ongoing dispute between the Long Island Rail Road and some of its unionized employees. The appointment of a second PEB means that a strik [...]

'Miracle' no deaths in Chicago airport train crash

CHICAGO – A Chicago train driven by an apparently sleepy operator, which jumped its tracks and screeched up an escalator at one of the world’s busiest airports, could have caused untold death and destruction had the crash occurred during the day when the station is usua [...]

North Dakota locals holding meetings in April

North Dakota locals will hold their annual Spring Swing meetings April 23-25, State Legislative Director James M. Chase reports. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to learn about your benefits as a member and to visit with SMART Transportation Division officers, [...]

Oakland Old Rails Club planning April 27 dinner

The Oakland Old Rails Club is planning its annual Old Rails Dinner and Get Together Sunday, April 27, at Dino’s Restaurant in Castro Valley, Calif. There will be a “no host” happy hour at noon, with dinner to follow at 1 p.m., Oakland Old Rails News Editor Richard Scholl repo [...]

Rail workers hope to save lives at Ill. crossings

SAUGET, Ill. – Train conductor Barry Norman, a fifth-generation railway worker, climbed aboard the cab of a yellow and black locomotive with Union Pacific in bold red lettering. He along with Engineer Steve Burrow and Alton & Southern Railway Co. Police Chief Lindell Bart [...]

Commuter train derails at Chicago airport

CHICAGO – An eight-car Chicago commuter train plowed across a platform and scaled an escalator at an underground station at one of the nation’s busiest airports early Monday, injuring 32 people on board, officials said. No one suffered life-threatening injuries in the B [...]

Measure to save Southwest Chief passes Colo. House

PUEBLO, Colo. – A bill to save Amtrak’s Southwest Chief rail line through Southeastern Colorado passed the state House March 19, Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace said. HB14-1161, sponsored by Rep. Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, passed on a 44-20 vote. Read the complete story at T [...]