General Information
Union Pacific begins shifting commuter-rail operations to Metra
(Source: Progressive Railroading 03/31/2023) Union Pacific Railroad announced yesterday it’s working with Metra to “safely and seamlessly” transfer UP’s Chicago commuter-rail operations to the passenger railroad. UP officials anticipate completing the transfer by the end of first-quarter 2024. Metra will take over services that include train crew, mechanical, car cleaning, rolling stock maintenance, ticket sales and some engineering…
Read MoreOhio lawmakers advance rail safety bill that includes two-person crew rule
(Source: Associated Press, March 29, 2023) Rail safety measures proposed after the February train derailment and toxic chemical burn in East Palestine are closer to becoming law in Ohio, as part of a nearly $13.5 billion transportation budget that cleared the Legislature on March 29. The state House and Senate have passed the measure, sending…
Read MoreBNSF train derailment, ethanol fire in Minnesota renew safety fears
(Source: Associated Press, March 30, 2023) Hundreds of people had to evacuate their Minnesota town after a BNSF train hauling ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire early Thursday, but authorities were hopeful that the quick response and cold weather would help limit the impact of this latest crash. The nation has been increasingly…
Read MoreWhy train derailments involving hazardous chemicals keep happening
(Source: Vox, March 30, 2023) Although train derailments involving hazardous chemicals are relatively rare, the occurrence of the Minnesota derailment so close to the Ohio one has raised questions about train safety and whether new regulations are needed to prevent more of these dangerous incidents from happening in the future. According to the Washington Post, there…
Read MoreHistoric milestone: Megan Mead first woman elected to BLET National office
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 31 — Megan C. Mead became the first woman in the 160-year history of the BLET to hold a National Division office when she was elected by acclamation to serve as Alternate National Secretary-Treasurer on October 12, 2022. “As we observe Women’s History Month, I salute Sister Mead for this significant accomplishment,”…
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