News Archive
BLET/SMART TD statement on Positive Train Control, crew size following fatal Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia
(The following is a joint statement by Dennis R. Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and John Previsich, President, SMART Transportation Division, regarding questions that have arisen since the fatal Amtrak derailment in Philade [...]The price we pay for conservative scorn of Amtrak
On Tuesday night, an Amtrak train spectacularly derailed on its way through Philadelphia, killing at least seven people. On Wednesday morning, a House appropriations subcommittee voted to cut federal funding for Amtrak by about 20 percent. Those are two dots Republicans don’t [...]Phoenix regional meeting offers membership training
If you’ve never been to the Arizona Biltmore before, now is your chance. The Smart Transportation Division Western Regional Meeting is going to be held at this historic union hotel June 28 – July 1, 2015. This hotel is not only famous for its design. It is also known na [...]Pa. SLD promotes two-person crew bill
Transportation Division Pennsylvania State Legislative Director Paul Pokrowka asks that all members from the state call their Republican house representatives and ask them to support the state’s two-person crew bill. Representative Jim Marshall (R-Dist. 14) is the prime [...]Secretary Foxx shows need for robust funding
WASHINGTON – With federal surface transportation funding set to expire on May 31, thousands of stakeholders will rally together for Infrastructure Week to urge Congress to say “no” to more short-term measures and “yes” to a long-term funding solution. In support of the third [...]Safety bill passes Calif. Senate with bipartisan support
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Legislation by Senator Lois Wolk, D-Solano, to protect communities along rail lines secured passage from the Calif. Senate with a bipartisan 23-11 vote. Senate Bill 730 requires trains and light engines carrying freight within California to be opera [...]BNSF railway back on track after nasty weather
BNSF Railway has reopened its tracks north of Fort Worth after multiple storm-related incidents during the weekend, the company’s executives say. “Railroading is an outdoor sport, but we should also say these storms have over the last couple of weeks been really terrific in t [...]At least 7 dead, over 200 hurt in Amtrak derailment
At least seven people were killed and over 200 people hurt after an Amtrak train, carrying 238 passengers and five crew members, derailed and rolled onto its side in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia Tuesday night, according to officials. Police said Wednesday that se [...]