General Information
Rail groups ask Congress to oppose lifting truck weight, size limits
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/27/2019) The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) joined other organizations earlier this week in asking Congress to oppose legislative language that would increase maximum truck size or weight limits on federal highways. In a Feb. 25 letter, the organizations also called on lawmakers to oppose legislative language…
Read MoreSnowbound Amtrak train with nearly 200 passengers moving again after 36-hour “nightmare”
(Source: CNN, February 27, 2019) SEATTLE — Finn Friedman chose to take the train because she’s terrified of flying. After all, the journey from Seattle to Los Angeles on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight is supposed to be a scenic 35-hour trip across mountain ranges, along an ocean shoreline and through forests. Instead, for the nearly 200…
Read MoreAmtrak train with 183 passengers has been stranded in Oregon snow since Sunday
(Source: CNN, February 26, 2019) ATLANTA — An Amtrak train headed for Los Angeles with almost 200 people on board came to a standstill Sunday evening after hitting a tree that had fallen onto the tracks. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari told CNN that none of the 183 passengers and dozen crew members were injured, but…
Read MoreBNSF slates $175 million for capex projects in Washington
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/25/2019) BNSF Railway Co. has budgeted $175 million in capital expenditures this year for infrastructure work in the state of Washington, the Class I announced late last week. Much of BNSF’s 2019 capital plan in the state will focus on replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast, company officials said in a press…
Read MoreJury awards BNSF track inspector $1.05 million in whistleblower case
(Source: National Law Review, February 24, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — On February 19th, a Colorado jury awarded Brandon Fresquez $1,050,000 in damages in his FRSA whistleblower retaliation claim against BNSF Railway Company. The verdict form reveals that the jury awarded $800,000 in emotional distress damages and $250,000 in punitive damages. This significant win underscores the…
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