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Clip Art Steam Engine smallHarper’s Magazine blogger Kevin Baker put together what he feels are the 23 best American songs about trains ever written. In his blog post, Baker explores train songs by Johnny Cash to “I’ve been working on the railroad.” Below is his list of songs.

Click here to go to Baker’s blog post to read why he thinks these are the best train songs out there and to listen to those songs.

  1. Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash
  2. City of New Orleans by Steve Goodman
  3. The Ballad of John Henry, sung by Harry Belafonte
  4. Chattanooga Choo Choo by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon
  5. Mystery Train by Junior Parker
  6. The Midnight Special, sung by Leadbelly and Harry Belafonte
  7. The Wreck of the Old 97, sung by Johnny Cash
  8. This Train is Bound for Glory, sung by Sister Rosetta Tharpe
  9. On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer
  10. Dixie Flyer by Randy Newman
  11. 500 Miles, sung by Hedy West, Rosanne Cash and Joan Baez respectively
  12. Downbound Train by Bruce Springsteen
  13. Rock Island Line, sung by Alan Lomax, Johnny Cash and Lonnie Donegan respectively
  14. Paddy on the Railway by The Wolfe Tones
  15. Freight Train, Freight Train by Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, also sung by Peter, Paul & Mary
  16. The Ballad of Casey Jones aka The Brave Engineer by Johnny Cash
  17. Casey Jones by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter
  18. Wabash Cannonball by J.A. Roff
  19. Long Train Running by The Doobie Brothers
  20. I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, singer unknown
  21. Last Train to Clarksville by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  22. Midnight Train to Georgia by Jim Weatherly and sung by Empress Gladys & The Pips
  23. Bringin’ in the Georgia Mail by Fred Rose and sung by Sam Bush Band

Bonus song: Downtown Train, sung by Tom Waits and Rod Stewart respectively

Read more from The Harper’s Blog.

Palmetto_rgb_webThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2016 Part B premium and deductible costs for 2016. Railroad Medicare processes claims for Part B services. 

The 2016 monthly premiums will remain unchanged for approximately 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries. However, the remaining 30 percent will pay a different amount based on the following criteria:

  • those enrolling for the first time in 2016
  • individuals not receiving Railroad Retirement/Social Security benefits
  • those who are directly billed for their Part B premiums
  • those who have Medicare and Medicaid and Medicaid pays the premiums, or
  • individuals whose modified gross incomes from two years ago is above a certain threshold

For beneficiaries who meet one of those criteria, Part B premiums for 2016 will be based on their annual income in 2014.

Those filing individual tax returns with annual incomes (in 2014) noted here will pay the following in 2016:

  • less than or equal to $85,000 will pay $121.80 in 2016
  • greater than $85,000 and less than or equal to $107,000 will pay $170.50
  • greater than $107,000 and less than or equal to $160,000 will pay $243.60
  • greater than $160,000 and less than or equal to $214,000 will pay $316.70
  • greater than $214,000 will pay $389.80

Those filing joint tax returns with annual incomes (in 2014) noted here will pay the following in 2016:

  • less than or equal to $170,000 will pay $121.80  
  • greater $170,000 and less than or equal to $214,000 will pay $170.50
  • greater than $214,000 and less than or equal to $320,000 will pay $243.60
  • greater than $320,000 and less than or equal to $428,000 will pay $316.70
  • greater than $428,000 will pay $389.80

The rates are slightly different for married beneficiaries who lived with their spouse (at any time during the year) and file separate tax returns. Those filing separate tax returns with annual incomes (in 2014) noted here will pay the following in 2016:

  • Less than or equal to $85,000 will pay $121.80
  • Greater than $85,000 and less than or equal to $129,000 will pay $316.70
  • Greater than $129,000 will pay $389.80.

The Medicare Part B deductible will be increasing from $147 per year in 2015 to $166 per year in 2016. 

If you have questions about your Part B Premium, you can call the Railroad Retirement Board toll free at 877-772-5772 or for the hearing impaired (TTY) call 312-751-4701. General information can also be found at the RRB’s website at www.rrb.gov.

If you have questions about your Railroad Medicare coverage, you can call the Beneficiary Contact Center at 800-833-4455, or for the hearing impaired, call TTY/TDD at 877-566-3572. Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. ET.

Investment in infrastructure critical for future growth of passenger rail

Amtrak LogoWASHINGTON – Amtrak ridership and ticket revenue remained steady in its Fiscal Year ended Sept. 30, 2015, reflecting continued demand for passenger rail; however, significant and predictable investment is needed to ensure that intercity passenger rail will continue to deliver nationwide benefits including providing safe and reliable mobility and advancing America’s economy.

For Fiscal Year 2015, unaudited ticket revenues reached $2.185 billion, 0.1 percent below the prior year and ridership was more than 30.8 million, also 0.1 percent below the previous year, primarily due to service disruptions on the Northeast Corridor, significant weather events and lower gas prices.  

Unaudited total revenue for the company was approximately $3.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2015, 1 percent below the previous year.  Operating cost recovery remained strong; Amtrak covered 91.1 percent of operating costs with ticket sales and other revenues.

In addition, Amtrak’s unaudited adjusted operating loss was at $306.5 million which was higher than the previous year.  

“We continue to make smart investments and advancements to critical infrastructure and significant improvements to the passenger experience so that the company can continue providing mobility to more passengers and make the best use of our limited resources,” said Amtrak Chairman of the Board Tony Coscia.  “This year’s financial results show the resiliency of a company that faced a range of challenges and underscored the loyalty of our customers even during a period of low gas prices.  Amtrak’s Board and management remain committed to moving the company forward and providing vital transportation for the country’s future.”

“This past year we continued to take America to where it needs to go, providing transportation to more than 30.8 million customers, which reflects continued strong demand and the value of our services,” said Amtrak President & CEO Joe Boardman.  “We have now carried more than 30 million passengers for five straight years, which is a testament to the value we bring to intercity travelers. However, critical investment is needed to ensure future growth of intercity passenger rail.”

With ridership of 11.7 million, the Northeast Corridor (NEC) had its highest ridership year ever in Fiscal Year 2015, up 0.5 percent from the prior year, led by Northeast Regional service that saw a 1.5 percent increase and set a new ridership record with more than 8.2 million trips.  

To ensure continued reliable transportation on the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak, in partnership with New York, New Jersey and the Port Authority is looking forward to forming the Gateway Development Corporation to start work on the critical Gateway Program.

In addition, Amtrak formed the Blue Ribbon Panel to address the Chicago rail gridlock that is causing major delays for passengers and for freight shipments.

 

no_rtw

The crowd that gathered in the committee hearing room, the overflow room and Statehouse hallways was reminiscent of Senate Bill 5, the law aimed at public sector unions. Ohio voters overturned it back in 2011.

The bill Republican Representative Tom Brinkman is sponsoring would prohibit requiring employees of private companies pay union dues. Brinkman said the so-called “Right to Work” legislation is needed because the Buckeye State is losing private sector jobs to other states that have it.

Read more from 91.3 WYSO.

railroad_tracks414Evoking the investment in American infrastructure by Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, Hillary Clinton on Monday unveiled the most sprawling — and costliest — government program of her campaign to date.

Mrs. Clinton said her five-year, $275-billion federal infrastructure program was aimed at creating middle-class jobs while investing heavily in improving the country’s highways, airports and ports. Bridging the “infrastructure gap” between the United States and developing nations like China would also eliminate red tape and fuel overall economic growth, she said.

“Workers can’t get to work, congestion keeps parents stuck in traffic, floods threaten our cities, and airports leave travelers stranded for hours or even days at a time,” the campaign wrote in a fact sheet about the proposal.

Read more from The New York Times.

Jephthe Chery_Fotor
Chery

It wasn’t unusual to see commuter rail conductor Jephthe Chery at work seven days a week as he tried to rise quickly in the company, former colleagues say.

Coworkers described Chery — who died after being caught in crossfire early Thanksgiving outside a Fenway Park bar — as a friendly and tireless worker always game to pick up an extra shift. Police called Chery an “innocent” who was felled by bullets intended for someone else.

Sheldon Dowling, who used to clean commuter rail coaches with Chery, said his close friend didn’t want to be the only one with ambition: He pushed friends and relatives to follow his lead.

 Read more from The Boston Globe.

Chery Family prepares for funeral

A wake for Chery will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at St. Angela Catholic Church in Mattapan, said the Rev. Gustave Miracle. His funeral will be at St. Angela at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by a gathering in the church basement.

Read more about Chery’s funeral arrangements from The Boston Globe.

GoFundMe account set up to help with funeral expenses

The GoFundMe account has been set up by Chery’s childhood friend to help defer the costs of a funeral. The GoFundMe page reads: 

“My name is Charldyn Valcin, and I met Jephthe in middle school, and years later, he still remained like a brother to me. Jephthe was a great man, dedicated son, phenomenal big brother, hardworking conductor, and an amazing Godfather. Truly, the list can go on and on, because he touched so many individuals during his time on this earth. I, and others who care about Jephthe, are looking to raise this money in order to help his family with the costs of his home going services. Jephthe left an impact on so many of our lives, and now it is our time to tell him thank you! We really need to get the funds as soon as possible, in order for his family to be able to move forward. Please donate whatever you can.”

Click here to make a contribution to the Chery family.

Chery worked as a conductor for MBTA and was a member of SMART TD Local 898 of Boston.

NJ TransitWASHINGTON – A new national survey reveals that more than 7 in 10 Americans support increased federal funding for the nation’s public transportation systems, including those that serve small cities, towns, and large urban areas. The survey was conducted by ORC International for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and it shows support for increased funding for public transit is consistent across communities of all sizes.

Support for increased public transportation funding was also seen across age groups and political affiliations, with some of the highest numbers among Millennials ages 18 – 34 (77 percent) and individuals age 65 and older (76 percent).

“No matter where you live and work – and what age you are, public transit provides vital access to jobs and everything a community has to offer,” said APTA President and CEO Michael P. Melaniphy. “As Congress finalizes its work on the surface transportation bill, we must ensure we provide for both large and smaller communities through growth of the federal transit program.”

Owning or having access to a private vehicle does not diminish public transit support across the nation, with 71 percent of car owners reporting that they want to see more federal investment in public transportation in both large and small communities. In addition, a majority (56 percent) of respondents said public transit is important in attracting and retaining employers in their community.

When asked about the types of public transit survey respondents are familiar with in their community, they noted scheduled bus (57 percent), van/buses for persons with disabilities (51 percent), passenger train (40 percent), inter-state bus (37 percent), commuter vanpools (27 percent), trolleys (20 percent) and ferries (19 percent).

The national online study was conducted for APTA by ORC International in the summer of 2015 among a sample of 1,019 individuals age 18 or older. The results have a 95 percent confidence level.

For more details on the survey results, visit www.apta.com.

oil-train-railWILLISTON, S.D. – South Dakota regulators are poised to make a decision this week on the Dakota Access Pipeline while North Dakota officials wait for the company to provide more information.

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission expects to vote Monday on the state’s portion of the 1,134-mile pipeline that would carry Bakken crude from North Dakota to Patoka, Ill.

The commission can grant a permit for the South Dakota portion of the route, deny the permit or grant a permit with conditions, said Chairman Chris Nelson. A final order from the South Dakota regulators is due Dec. 15.

Read more from The Bismarck Tribune.

PrintIt’s that time of year again. Americans across the country will get ready for the time-honored tradition of gathering with family and friends to give thanks. But first, they will agonize – possibly panic – over how to get where they’re going on the busiest travel day of the year. The latter isn’t exactly how Norman Rockwell depicts this day — but it is reality.

Forty-two million travelers will hit the road or take to the skies. Before that grand turkey feast graces their dinner tables, Americans will first have to endure long lines, suffocating traffic, canceled, delayed and overbooked flights, and lots of stress. It is on this day when we feel the true consequences of letting our transportation system and infrastructure fall apart.

Yes, Congress is poised to pass a long-term surface transportation bill — the first of its kind in a decade. But that doesn’t change the fact that, right now, there are 70,000 bridges in the U.S. in need of replacement or repair, transit systems choked by anemic budgets, Amtrak trains running through century-old tunnels, millions of miles of neglected highways, an aviation system operating with severely outdated technology and a maritime system, including ports, suffering from decades of neglect.

As frustrated as travelers may feel, there’s a group of people who understand their concerns all too well: the men and women who keep America moving. Transportation employees know, probably more than anyone else, that this country can and must do better when it comes to making travel safe and efficient. After all, they, too, contend with the consequences of a neglected transportation system — and they do so on a daily basis.

Talk to a transportation worker, and you’ll hear about more than just poor infrastructure. They’ll tell you stories about staffing shortages, obsolete and outdated equipment, fatigue on the job, belligerent employers, supposed cost-saving schemes that hurt customers and workers alike, and attacks on bargaining rights. You’ll hear about budget cuts that undermine safety and reliability, and threaten good wages, benefits and job security.

You’ll also hear about dedication, hard work and responsibility. That’s because, despite the immense challenges they face, the men and women who keep America moving remain focused on the needs of the people and country they serve. America’s transportation workforce understands that no matter what obstacles they face, their priority is transporting people and goods as safely and efficiently as possible. Many will give up or postpone Thanksgiving plans with family and friends to accommodate the needs of the traveling public. And that — putting others before yourself — is what the season of giving is all about.

This Thanksgiving, pause for a moment and give thanks to the people who operate, maintain and build our transportation systems. Their commitment to getting the job done is what keeps our journeys safe. Their commitment to service helps make holidays, including the one we’re about to celebrate, possible.

Guy
Guy

CHICAGO — The Federal Railroad Administration told SMART Transportation Division it has filed a violation against the Union Pacific Railroad in response to a union complaint that the railroad ordered a train crew to work outside its assigned territory while being piloted by a manager who was not qualified on the physical characteristics of the territory.

FRA Region IV Administrator Steve Illich informed SMART TD Illinois Legislative Director Robert W. Guy of the agency’s action in a letter dated October 27.

The incident under investigation by the FRA was reported to the Illinois Legislative Board by a member of the crew of a Bloomington-based local assigned to UP’s Springfield Subdivision.

Although the southern boundary of the territory for which the crew was qualified ends at Milepost 222, Carlinville, Ill., the May 28 job was ordered to retrieve some maintenance-of-way equipment spotted at milepost 234 near Shipman, Ill., 12 miles further south in territory over which none of the crew members were qualified.

“The standard procedure in such cases is to supply the crew with a pilot, normally a fellow transportation employee, who is qualified over the territory,” Guy said.

“But it turned out the UP manager assigned as pilot wasn’t qualified on that territory either,” Guy said. “In fact, he had never been over that track on a moving train, and he not only admitted his lack of qualification but claimed it wasn’t important.”

In his report to the SMART TD Illinois State Legislative Board, the conductor said that he and the engineer, “made it very clear that we were not comfortable having a pilot that he himself [admitted] was not qualified on the territory. His reply was that it was CTC, how hard could it be?”

The conductor asked the manager whether he had a copy of the work orders for the assignment. The manager allegedly replied that all he needed to know was that the ballast undercutter, two flat cars and two hopper cars of ballast were restricted to 25 miles-per-hour.

“The only paperwork I saw was that he had a timetable,” the conductor told the legislative board.

Guy said the crew handled the incident in exactly the right way.

“They notified the manager pilot that they weren’t comfortable,” Guy said. “Then once their tour was over they documented the incident and forwarded the details to local SMART TD officers for handling.”

“The FRA investigator in charge even noted the accuracy of the crew members’ statements regarding the manager pilot,” Guy said. “Once confronted, another UP manager stated that the pilot was not qualified on that segment of track.”

Guy also said he was “appalled” by the cavalier attitude of the manager pilot as witnessed by the crew involved in the May 28 incident.

“It’s not just that this official violated Part 240.231 of Section 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations,” Guy said. “It’s that he did it in such a flagrant and dismissive manner.”

Guy said the manager’s attitude is even more inappropriate in view of the territory where his violation occurred.

“The UP main line between Joliet and Alton has been one continual construction zone so it can be upgraded for 110-mph Amtrak service,” Guy said.

“This territory is full of equipment and manpower, and the track and bridge work migrates to different locations every day,” Guy said.

“Slow orders, Form Bs and other notices related to train movements can be issued and abolished quickly, which is why a crew unfamiliar with the track needs a pilot who knows not only the geography of the alignment but the way the railroad is using it from moment to moment.

“If a train crew is not familiar with the pilot assigned to their job, they should always question the qualifications of that pilot to determine if in fact the person is suitable to serve in that capacity.”