On April 13, 2026, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a two-person rail crew (2-PC) bill into law, ending SMART-TD’s years-long fight for a legally mandated crew of at least two qualified people on all trains, locomotives or light engines transporting freight in the commonwealth.
As all rail workers know, having at least two qualified railroaders in the cab is crucial to safely operate trains, requiring an engineer to operate the locomotive and a conductor to monitor the tracks, manage the train and respond to emergencies. It is a common-sense safety measure for SMART-TD members, rail workers and communities along the tracks. However, railroad shareholders and corporate elites would happily do away with one or both of these positions, prioritizing profit over public safety.
By signing the bill, Governor Spanberger has actively ensured that in Virginia, trains are held to a high safety standard, and all crews have the required members needed to responsibly operate them.

Newly elected gov. finishes the job
Cementing the 2-PC bill into Virginia law was a hard-fought battle that required a change in leadership to accomplish — demonstrating the importance of electing representatives who truly have our backs.
The same bill passed in the legislature two years ago as a bipartisan effort, but thanks to former Governor Glenn Youngkin’s late-night veto, it never became law. Youngkin’s veto showed how little he values public safety and the well-being of SMART-TD members compared to the benefits reaped by supporting big businesses and railroad shareholders.
SMART-TD members didn’t stop fighting for the bill after Youngkin’s veto. And fortunately, current governor and 2-PC supporter Spanberger righted her predecessor’s wrong, ensuring that trains traveling throughout the commonwealth will have a full crew on board. Spanberger’s actions proved that common sense and public safety should not be partisan issues, and that the 2-PC bill is a necessary step in the right direction when it comes to transportation rules and regulations.

Members made this happen
This historic win was a direct result of the hard work and determination shown by Virginia Safety and Legislative Director Ronnie Hobbs and members who took action by showing up, speaking out and telling lawmakers that 2-PC benefits both rail safety and Virginia communities.
“I can’t thank our members enough for their work to get this passed,” emphasized Hobbs. “Lawmakers listened to their constituents and prioritized the safety of communities throughout the commonwealth. We’re proud to join the list of states where 2-PC is the law of the land and hope that it continues to grow!”






