05/02/13 UPDATE: Ohio right-to-work bills were considered “dead-on-arrival” as Senate Republic President Keith Faber rejected the bills last night in an after-hours press conference. “We have an ambitious agenda focused on job creation and economic recovery, and Right to Work legislation is not on that list. After discussions with other leaders and my caucus, I don’t [...]
BNSF partners with Ill. colleges to offer certificate
May 1, 2013
Spoon River College (SRC) of Canton, Ill., Carl Sandburg College (CSC) of Galesburg, Ill. and BNSF has partnered together to offer a new Rail Transportation & Power System Technology Certificate. Students enrolled in the program will study circuits, hydraulics, welding, diesel tractor technology, engine systems, safety in the workplace and much more. Students will have [...]
Obama nominates Charlotte Mayor Foxx to head DOT
April 30, 2013
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a confirmation hearing on transportation secretary nominee Anthony Foxx May 22, according to Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.). President Obama announced April 29 Anthony Foxx as his nominee for the next Secretary of Transportation. Foxx is currently the mayor of Charlotte, N.C, which he [...]
Administration drops redundant driver’s license rule
April 26, 2013
The federal government is relaxing a rule for drivers of buses and large trucks who are involved in out-of-state traffic violations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an office of the Department of Transportation, is eliminating a requirement that drivers notify their state’s licensing agency when they are convicted of a traffic offense in [...]
Man admits to illegally collecting railroad retirement
April 25, 2013
BANGOR, Maine – Gerald E. Bailey, 68, of Pittston, Maine pled guilty on Tuesday, April 23 to charges of collecting pension that he was not entitled to. Bailey retired from Springfield Terminal Railway in 2004 and began receiving his pension payments from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). According to an affidavit filed by assistant U.S. [...]
Bill to allow Texas bus drivers to discipline students
April 25, 2013
SAN ANTONIO – A bill giving school bus drivers in Texas the power to discipline students by sending them to the principal’s office has passed in the Texas Senate. Although the bill passed the Senate, it still has to pass in the House before it can become law. The Public Education Committee is reviewing the [...]
Santa Fe Depot to host Railroad Days festival
April 25, 2013
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A steam powered excursion train will be operated to San Bernardino Railroad Days this weekend. The train will have six private passenger cars that will be pulled by the 1927 AT&SF Steam Locomotive 3751. A diesel-powered Metrolink Locomotive will be placed behind the steam locomotive to provide head end power. The [...]
Academy adds rail degree program
April 25, 2013
VANCOUVER, Wash. — The International Air and Hospitality Academy has added a new program called the Northwest Railroad Institute. The new degree program will be the fourth such program offered in the U.S. Students taking the six-month program will be provided with training for freight railroad careers including freight conductors, conductor trainees, brakemen, switchmen and [...]
TTD Chairman Wytkind testifies before House panel
April 25, 2013
Rail system exposed to terrorists, experts say
April 25, 2013
WASHINGTON – An alleged al Qaeda-backed plot to derail a U.S. passenger train in Canada sought to exploit the vulnerabilities of railroads that have not gotten much attention from the American public. While the United States has sharply tightened security around airlines since the September 11, 2001, attacks, trains are far harder to police, with [...]
