General Information
Rail safety expert warns of more mountain crashes due to faulty brakes if Transport Canada doesn’t act
(Source: CBC News, May 15, 2020) CALGARY — When Canadian Pacific Railway’s doomed Train 301 left Calgary in early February 2019 heading into the B.C. mountains bound for Vancouver, crew members had no idea it was on a death ride. Full story: www.cbc.ca Friday, May 15, 2020
Read MoreU.S. freight railroads log another dramatic decline in traffic
(Source: Progressive Railroading 05/14/2020) U.S. freight-rail traffic plunged 22.1 percent to 412,549 carloads and intermodal units during the week ending May 9 compared with the same week a year ago, Association of American Railroads (AAR) data shows. Railroads logged 185,144 carloads, down 28.4 percent, and 227,405 containers and trailers, down 16 percent. None of the 10 carload…
Read MoreCP Rail to upgrade testing of train brakes after deficiencies found
(Source: Calgary Herald, May 13, 2020) CALGARY — CP Rail will upgrade testing of train brakes on grain cars following a derailment that killed three workers and in light of research showing defects in the process, the company said Wednesday. Full story: Calgary Herald Thursday, May 14, 2020
Read MoreRRB issues statements of service, Form BA-6
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, May 11, 2020) CHICAGO — Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a Form BA-6, Certificate of Service Months and Compensation, for every railroad employee with creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB will mail the forms to employees during the first half of June.…
Read MoreTeamsters say final stimulus bill must retain multiemployer pension partition fix
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, May 12, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the House returning at the end of the week, the Teamsters are urging lawmakers to take quick action and pass new broad stimulus legislation that would boost the broken multiemployer pension system, improve the health and safety of all essential workers and…
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