Archive for April 2019
STB to hold hearing on Class Is’ demurrage, accessorial charges
(Source: Progressive Railroading 04/12/2019) The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has announced the details for its May 22 public hearing on railroad demurrage and accessorial charges. The board will receive information from railroads, shippers, receivers, third-party logistics providers, and other interested parties about their recent experiences with demurrage and accessorial charges, including matters such as reciprocity, commercial fairness, the impact…
Read MoreBNSF receives FAA exemption to advance drone operations
(Source: Progressive Railroading 04/12/2019) By Vesna Brajkovic, Associate Editor BNSF Railway Co. last week was granted exemptions from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, which will help lay the foundation for expanded drone operations, according to an FAA grant of exemption document. BNSF has been testing and using unmanned aerial systems (UAS),…
Read MoreShould the rail industry look beyond operating ratio?
(Source: Freight Waves, April 11, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — With almost all of the Class I railroads transitioning to precision scheduling railroading (PSR), an operational model that emphasizes running railcars on a fixed schedule, a question surfacing within the rail industry is how much emphasis should the railroads place on lower operating ratio. Full story: Freight…
Read MorePlan to ship natural gas by rail raises alarm
(Source: Fortune, April 11, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump wants to allow natural gas to be shipped in railroad cars, a move that would open new markets hungry for the fuel but could risk catastrophic accidents if one were to derail. Trump on Wednesday ordered the Transportation Department to write a new rule…
Read MoreLawmakers seek to mandate two-person crews on freight trains
(Source: Safety and Health Magazine, April 10, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation reintroduced by Rep. Don Young (R-AK) on March 13 would require at least two certified crew members on all freight trains operated in the United States. “Requiring a second crew member aboard a train to help share the operational workload is a commonsense…
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