General Information
UP to begin operating North Platte’s Bailey Yard as single classification yard
(Source: North Platte Telegraph, September 1, 2020) NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The Union Pacific Railroad will consolidate its North Platte railcar-sorting operations in Bailey Yard’s newest and westernmost “hump yard,” the railroad said Tuesday. The announcement marks a major operational change at what long has been considered the world’s largest rail classification yard. Full story: North…
Read MoreMake sure your voice is heard in November
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, September 1 — In advance of the upcoming November elections, the BLET National Division has created a website to help members make sure their vote counts. Available here, the page is informational in purpose. It lets members check to confirm that they are registered to vote and provides the location of polling places. And,…
Read MoreTriMet caps off Steel Bridge project, light-rail revitalization
(Source: Progressive Railroading 09/01/2020) This past weekend, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) completed improvements to the 108-year-old Steel Bridge on the MAX line. The project marked the end of the agency’s biggest light-rail revitalization effort in 34 years and represented an important accomplishment in continuing to maintain reliable MAX service, TriMet officials said in…
Read MoreFRA issues rail inspection technology rule aimed at track safety improvement
(Source: Progressive Railroading 08/31/2020) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) late last week issued a final rule allowing railroads to use ultrasonic inspection technology, augmented with GPS technology, to conduct continuous rail testing. The updated regulations are expected to improve safety by making it easier for railroads to test rail more frequently, and to identify and repair internal rail flaws…
Read MoreRRB appoints Chief Medical Officer
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, August 31, 2020) CHICAGO — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Dr. Elizabeth Bonson as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Bonson will provide expert medical guidance to the RRB’s Office of Programs, which is responsible for the adjudication of claims for disability annuities and sickness insurance benefits. Additional…
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