Archive for September 2020
Amtrak to furlough nearly 2,000 workers, cut 100 managers
(Source: Progressive Railroading 09/08/2020) Amtrak last week announced plans to furlough 1,950 workers and cut 100 management positions due to contracted operations and pinched finances. For several weeks, the railroad conducted a thorough review of its fiscal-year 2021 operating plan and planned service levels, which revealed reduced staffing needs for the next fiscal year, Amtrak officials…
Read MoreClass I railroads, shippers weigh in on federal agencies’ feedback request
(Source: Freight Waves, September 7, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An August request from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and the Federal Railroad Administration(FRA) asking the Class I railroads to report how they’re addressing service issues amid rising rail volumes got a response from shippers as well. Full story: Freight Waves Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Read MoreUnion Pacific to lay off employees; company ties cuts to efficiency efforts
(Source: Omaha World-Herald, September 4, 2020) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific will lay off an unspecified number of employees across the railroad’s system as the company continues its push for operational efficiency. The company did not publicly detail the number of employees affected. Full story: Omaha World-Herald Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Read MoreAAR endorses FRA rule on continuous rail inspection technology
(Source: Progressive Railroading 09/02/2020) The Federal Railroad Administration‘s (FRA) final rule affecting continuous rail inspection technology will facilitate widespread deployment of such technology to advance safety and efficiency of the nation’s rail network, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). For years, railroads have operated continuous rail inspection technology under longstanding waivers and demonstrated the innovation’s promise…
Read MoreBMWED statement on new FRA rail inspection technology rule
(Source: Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes press release, September 1, 2020) SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Federal Railroad Administration has broadened the railroads’ ability to use new rail inspection technologies, officially allowing continuous rail testing to satisfy FRA inspection frequencies. The new rule would rescind the four-hour verification timeframe, which requires a follow-up, human inspection of…
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