Archive for February 12, 2019
Shippers group calls for increase in twin-trailer standard
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/12/2019) The Americans for Modern Transportation (AMT) is calling on Congress to increase the national twin-trailer truck standard from 28 feet to 33 feet. In a letter sent last week to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, AMT Executive Director Randy Mullett said the “modest five-foot increase” in twin-trailer truck standard would represent one…
Read MoreTransit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act enters House
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/12/2019) Yesterday, U.S. Reps. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) and John Katko (R-N.Y.), and U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act (H.R. 1139). The bill would require U.S. transit-rail agencies to develop a rail operations worker assault risk reduction program in two years. Agencies would need to conduct a…
Read MoreGenesee & Wyoming eyes plan to implement precision railroading
(Source: The Hour, February 6, 2019) DARIEN, Conn. — After throttling up its growth with a string of acquisitions the past several years, the nation’s largest operator of short-line railroads hopes to capitalize on the expertise in its far-flung operations by encouraging local managers to think like entrepreneurs. Genesee & Wyoming has spent the early…
Read MoreNinth Circuit rejects “honest belief” defense in whistleblower retaliation case
(Source: National Law Review, February 12, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Ninth Circuit’s recent opinion in Frost v. BNSF Railway Co. is an important win for whistleblowers in that it rejects employers’ attempts to impose a heightened causation burden on whistleblowers and to weaken whistleblower protections laws by adding an “honest belief” defense. Frost adheres…
Read MoreNS details plan to cut 3,000 jobs, shelve 500 locomotives
(Source: Associated Press, February 11, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern railroad expects to become significantly more efficient by 2021, and operate with 3,000 fewer employees and 500 fewer locomotives. Full story: News & Observer Tuesday, February 12, 2019
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