In the wake of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — his state beset with financial woes — canceling a proposed $10 billion rail tunnel under the Hudson River linking New Jersey and New York City, word spread that New Jersey Transit and Amtrak had opened talks to fund and build the tunnel.
As reported by northjersey.com, Amtrak issued a statement Nov. 11 that “We’re no longer interested in this project. There were exploratory talks going on with NJT. The talks have stopped. That was commuter rail, and we are interested in intercity rail projects.”
It was in the movie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, this memorable line was spoken: “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”
Opening in movie theaters Nov. 12 is a movie combining fact and legend — the Hollywood version of a near-run railroad calamity on CSX in 2001.
Two UTU members — Terry Forson and Jess Knowlton (both members of UTU Local 1397, Columbus, Ohio) — served as technical consultants to 20th Century Fox. More about Forson and Knowlton shortly.
The movie, Unstoppable, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine (who played Capt. Kirk in last year’s Star Trek movie), builds, according to Railway Age magazine Editor William Vantuono, on previous Hollywood blockbusters “depicting tidal waves, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, towering infernos, comets and asteroids hurtling toward Earth.”
The plot summary:
A railroad frantically works to prevent an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train, carrying combustible liquids and poisonous gas, from wiping out a city.
A veteran locomotive engineer (Washington) and a young train conductor (Pine) chase the runaway train in a different locomotive in order to bring the runaway under control before it is too late. In one scene, the veteran engineer tells the rookie conductor, “This ain’t training. In training, they give you an F. Out here, you get killed.”
According to Vantuono, If you like “plenty of explosions, fire, spectacular crashes, wrecked police cars, near misses, overly dramatic television reporters, helicopters, gut-wrenching dialogue (‘We’re talking about a missile the size of the Chrysler Building’), innocent children (on a school trip, naturally), and guns,” this is a movie for you.
Perhaps to delight further, the Hollywood perspective depicts carrier officials as more concerned with stock prices than public safety or employee well-being.
Hollywood wasn’t enamored with the CSX locomotive color badge, either. The Unstoppable movie’s locomotive reminds one immediately of the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe’s famous War Bonnet livery.
As for fact vs. legend, the movie is loosely based on a 2001 incident where an unmanned CSX consist — a locomotive and 47 freight cars, two containing hazmat — traveled more than 60 miles, at speeds approaching 50 mph, for two hours through northwest Ohio.
According to news reports at the time, the unidentified engineer of the runaway train had dismounted to line a switch. He had applied two locomotive brakes, but inadvertently grabbed the throttle lever instead of the third braking lever; and by the time he realized his error, he was already off the locomotive and it was moving too quickly for him to climb back aboard.
Chasing the seemingly unstoppable and unmanned CSX consist was the crew of a second train, which eventually coupled onto the runaway and slowed it to about 10 mph near Kenton, Ohio.
At that point, CSX trainmaster Jon Hosfeld ran alongside the runaway; and, putting himself in danger, climbed aboard, applied the brakes and shut down the locomotive.
As for the UTU members who served as technical consultants to the movie producer, Forson and Knowlton actually were the crewmembers who chased down the runaway CSX train. No, neither Forson nor Knowlton was the unidentified engineer who failed to set all three locomotive brakes on the runaway.
As for the hazmat carried by the runaway train, in reality it would not have blown up Metropolis. The hazmat actually was thousands of gallons of molten phenol acid, a toxic ingredient of paints and dyes that is harmful when inhaled, ingested or in contact with the skin.
With the election over, change has come to Washington. Since 2001, the congressional political majority has shifted three times. New majorities are nothing new to our UTU legislative team.
While most UTU-endorsed candidates were re-elected, we did lose friends with whom we had long and positive relationships. Thankfully, the UTU is a bipartisan organization that works with lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.
In the now Republican-controlled House of Representatives, there will be new committee chairpersons – those posts mean everything. Chairpersons decide which bills have hearings and are moved to the House floor for a vote.
Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) – very knowledgeable on rail, bus and transit issues, and an advocate of investment in infrastructure – likely will chair the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, where most transportation legislation is first considered. He is one of many Republicans endorsed by the UTU and has exhibited strong support for Railroad Retirement. His door is always open to hear UTU concerns on legislation affecting our membership.
In the Senate, the key committee for transportation legislation is the Commerce Committee, and it likely will continue to be chaired by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.), another UTU friend. Job number one for the National Legislative Office and talented state legislative directors now is to establish and maintain a dialogue with the newly elected members of Congress and state legislatures – Democrats and Republicans.
Our message will be consistent and focused on job security, better benefits and workplace safety.
Our UTU PAC will continue to be a crucial tool we use to influence legislation. Our UTU PAC helps to establish and maintain relationships. Working families cannot afford to write the large checks provided election campaigns by corporations and wealthy executives. We counter those efforts through our UTU PAC.
Our goal is to have every UTU member registered to vote, paying attention to the issues and contributing $1 per day to the UTU PAC.
You can commit to the UTU PAC by contacting the treasurer of your local, or by calling our Washington legislative office at (202) 543-7714.
Be assured that the UTU will continue working to protect Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits, secure dependable funding for Amtrak and transit systems, make our jobs more secure and the workplace safer.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), a long-time friend of the UTU, will be the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee when the new Congress is seated in 2011.
With the defeat Nov. 2 of Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), who had been chairman of the committee and would have become the ranking Democrat when Republicans take control, Rahall will be exercising his seniority to become the lead Democrat on the T&I committee.
The move was confirmed Nov. 9 by the publication, POLITICO, which cited, as its source, a spokesperson for Rahall.
Most air, bus and rail transportation legislation before the House of Representatives is first considered by the T&I Committee.
The Republican expected to chair the T&I Committee is Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.).
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) is expected to chair the committee
PLATTSBURG, Ohio — Call it hamburger helper after a Norfolk Southern freight train plowed into a herd of cattle on the tracks here near Columbus, killing some 20 of the Black Angus cows, reports the Associated Press.
The Associated Press quoted a NS engineer that his train of 122 freight cars and two locomotives, traveling 38 mph, could not stop in time.
No, the freight cars were not carrying ketchup.
It was not reported how the cows got loose from a nearby ranch and wandered onto the NS right-of-way.
After a lifetime of hard work, SMART TD rail, bus and airline members look forward to a secure retirement.
In an ideal world, it would be that simple. In the real world, careful planning and attention to detail are essential.
Topping the list of retirement concerns are money and healthcare insurance, but you also must present certain documentation prior to receiving benefits.
Sources of income
As a rule of thumb, between 70 and 80% of pre-retirement income is needed to enjoy a comfortable retirement, says the Social Security Administration.
Neither Railroad Retirement (covering career railroad workers), Social Security nor CalPERS (covering certain California public transit agency workers) was intended to be a retirees’ sole source of income, and thus will replace only about 40%t of pre-retirement income, says the Social Security Administration.
Railroad Retirement, Social Security and CalPERS retirement benefits should be thought of as part of a three-legged financial security stool — the other two legs to include other investments, such as your home equity, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), a 401(k) savings plan and whole life insurance.
Those taking early retirement, or retiring on a disability, may be eligible for certain supplemental benefits until they reach full retirement age. If you are retiring early, you should determine from your employer, Medicare and/or Railroad Retirement, Social Security or CalPERS, what supplemental benefits may be available to you.
Monthly benefits
Railroad Retirement and Social Security annuitants and their spouses will receive monthly benefit electronic deposits directly from the federal government.
Whether it’s Railroad Retirement, Social Security or CalPERS, those agencies will respond to your request for estimates of monthly retirement benefits available to you and your spouse. One of your first pre-retirement chores should be to obtain this estimate because those benefits will be the foundation of your post-retirement income. You may also wish to speak with a certified financial planner, and/or a UTUIA regional insurance manager, about post-retirement financial issues.
Time to retire
Filing for retirement benefits — and investigating Medicare health care options – should begin at least three months prior to your planned retirement date.
Filing for benefits generally is accomplished by visiting a Railroad Retirement, Social Security or CalPERS field office, where you will be asked to provide various documents necessary for the processing of retirement benefits payable to you and your spouse. Information on the location of field offices may be obtained by calling the toll-free telephone numbers listed here.
During the pre-retirement interview, you may determine that there is an advantage to you or your spouse waiting a little longer to draw retirement benefits. Be sure to enquire about limitations on post-retirement earnings, and how such earnings may reduce Railroad Retirement, Social Security or CalPERS benefits.
With some advance planning and attention to detail, the transition from employment to retirement should be smooth sailing. The best time to begin the process is now!
To apply for Railroad Retirement or Social Security benefits, you must provide certain information, and it is suggested you begin the process at least three months prior to your anticipated retirement date.
You will need the following information to register successfully for benefits:
Proof of age: An original birth certificate or a certified copy (not a photocopy). If a birth certificate is not available, the Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security will advise you how to proceed.
Proof of marriage: An original or a certified copy (not a photocopy) of the marriage certificate.
Proof of military service. To be eligible for military credits, you will need a copy of your discharge papers (DD-214). Note: When you were discharged, you likely were encouraged to file a copy of your DD-214 with the recorder of deeds in your hometown.
A copy of your most recent IRS form W-2 from your employer (filed with your tax return).
Railroad employees contemplating retirement are eligible to receive a “Retirement Made Easy” kit from UnitedHealthcare. To obtain the kit, rail employees should call UnitedHealthcare at (800) 842-5252.
Also, if you have dependent children, you should have available original or certified copies of their birth certificates.
Financial fraud can empty your life savings. Here are 10 steps suggested by best-selling author Charles Murray.
Every deal is a potential scam: Recognize that fraud is an act of deceit by one party intended to induce another to part with something of value.
Map out your goals before shopping or investing: There’s a difference between “buying” and “being sold.”
Avoid mixing business with pleasure: According to the National Institute of Justice, the attempt to defraud is more successful if a person knows or knows of the offender.
Don’t get greedy: Remain calm and dispassionate.
Be suspicious of “inside information,” “hot tips” and “one-time offers”: Why you instead of Tom-Dick-and-Harry?
Educate yourself: Beware of getting all your information from the seller.
Double check all facts: A cheat doesn’t want himself or his deal scrutinized.
Don’t wilt when the heat is turned up: It takes a secure person to say “no” to pressure and manipulation.
A promise is only as good as the person behind it.
Scams copy the same methods used in legitimate business dealings: Spotting the difference can be difficult.
Five tell-tale signs:
Something is promised that borders between reasonable and “too good to be true”;
Victims typically know or know of the swindler;
A sense of urgency exists;
A cheat doesn’t want himself or the deal scrutinized;
High-pressure sales tactics are used.
There are many investment instruments including your own UTUIA annuities for SMART TD members that are available in which to place retirement funds that can provide the necessary security and still provide a cash stream in retirement years.
In speaking with a financial adviser, find out what their experience has been. Check their credentials and demand other client references. Never write a check directly to an individual. Your payment should be to the investment firm or to the investment fund itself. A request for direct payment to an individual is a big red flag!
Remember, your retirement funds represent a lifetime of savings, and there is no “do-over.”
Here’s a list of articles on how to recognize a scam or fraud:
How long will you live after you retire, and will you have enough money to live on comfortably?
Good question. That’s why – before you retire – you should think about post-retirement economic security, because few things could be worse than money running out during what are supposed to be carefree years.
A balanced retirement portfolio should resemble a three-legged stool.
The first leg is your Tier I Railroad Retirement, Social Security or CalPERS (the California retirement system for public employees), plus Tier II Railroad Retirement and/or an employer pension.
The second leg is the equity in your home, plus your personal savings, such as certificates of deposit and mutual funds.
The third leg of this financial stool are annuities, IRAs, 401(k) plans and whole life insurance.
These three financial legs are the assets to support you through retirement. The fewer legs, or the lower value of any legs, could mean a less secure financial situation during retirement.
Determining available assets before you retire is essential. You may, for example, choose to wait another year or two before retiring and build up assets in one or more legs of your financial stool.
Younger members are wise to consider these financial legs long before they retire.
The UTUIA can help build the third leg of your financial stool prior to, and even during, retirement.
UTUIA whole life policies provide a death benefit while accumulating cash value. The death benefit protects your surviving family if you die; and the cash value becomes a source of tax-deferred savings available during your retirement years.
UTUIA annuities and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) earn guaranteed interest that is tax deferred until you draw down the balance. You may invest in UTUIA annuities up to age 85.
Existing IRAs and/or employer 401(k) plans may be rolled over into a UTUIA IRA.
To learn how the UTUIA can help make your retirement more secure, talk with a UTUIA regional insurance manager, call the UTUIA toll-free line at (800) 558-8842, or click here.
Medicare is the primary health insurance for retirees and their spouses. It is available for those over age 65, those under 65 with certain disabilities, and those of any age with permanent kidney failure. It consists of Parts A, B, C and D.
Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals and a skilled nursing facility, hospice and home health care.
Part B helps cover doctors’ services, hospital outpatient care and home health care, as well as some preventive services to help maintain your health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse.
Part C is a Medicare advantage plan similar to an HMO or PPO — health plans run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. Medicare advantage plans generally include Parts A, B and D.
Part D is a prescription drug program provided by a Medicare-approved private insurance company to help cover the cost of prescription drugs.
You should enroll in Medicare Parts A, B and D when you are first eligible. If you delay enrollment, you will be subject to additional costs for the coverage.
Railroad employees should call the Railroad Retirement Board’s toll-free information line at 877-772-5772 for enrollment and other information, or Palmetto GBA at 800-833-4455.
Medicare can send you a handbook, “Medicare & You,” explaining all aspects of Medicare, or the handbook may be ordered or downloaded at the Medicare website.
By James Stem,
