BLET News
AAR: Rail traffic up 4.3 percent over 2016 for week ending August 5
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, August 9, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 5, 2017. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 554,822 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Total…
Read MoreNo injuries reported as 16 UP train cars derail in Topeka
(Source: Topeka Capital-Journal, August 9, 2017) TOPEKA, Kan. — A Union Pacific freight train derailed Wednesday morning just northwest of downtown Topeka, authorities said. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred about 7:15 a.m. just west of N.W. Crane and Topeka Boulevard. Full story: Topeka Capital-Journal Thursday, August 10, 2017
Read MoreSenator Schumer demands FRA, FMCSA reverse sleep apnea rule withdrawal
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, August 9, 2017) NEW YORK — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reverse the withdrawal of pending regulation that would require sleep apnea testing of workers in safety critical roles. Full story: Railway Track & Structures…
Read MoreFormer FRA chief says lives at risk if no sleep tests for train engineers
(Source: Associated Press, August 8, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. officials are abandoning plans to require sleep apnea screening for truck drivers and train engineers, a decision that safety experts say puts millions of lives at risk. Full story: ABC News Wednesday, August 09, 2017
Read MoreSenate confirms Sumwalt as NTSB chair
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 8, 2017) The U.S. Senate late last week confirmed Robert Sumwalt’s nomination to a two-year term as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Full story: Progressive Railroading Wednesday, August 09, 2017
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