Call for Rail Safety on Full Display at Big Boy Ohio Stops

June 8, 2026

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Hundreds of people gathered in Lorain and Euclid, Ohio on June 8, 2026, to watch Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 roll through town as part of the world’s largest operating steam locomotive’s cross-country tour.

As much as local residents and rail enthusiasts were excited to see history roll by right before their eyes, the swing through town revealed something even more important: Americans, and Ohioans in particular, strongly support rail safety measures.

Response Confirms that Rail Safety is a Popular Issue

As part of our commitment to fighting for rail safety, SMART-TD was on the ground today in Lorain and Euclid, handing out informational flyers about the Railway Safety Act (RSA) and encouraging those in attendance to contact their member of Congress and urge them to support this critical legislation.

We thought that it might be tough to distribute all 200 flyers, and we are proud to say that we were wrong: we easily could have brought a few hundred more with us!

Today’s action was even more confirmation that communities nationwide are hungry for comprehensive rail safety measures that prioritize both crew members and residents.

This isn’t some talking point that was created in a vacuum: it’s a real, public need that Americans deserve.

SMART-TD was there as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 stopped in Lorain, Ohio on June 8, 2026.

Major Congressional Hurdle Cleared but Legislative Battle Continues

Last month, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee voted overwhelmingly to include key Railway Safety Act (RSA) provisions in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill.

Championed with bipartisan support, including from Ohio Representatives Mike Rulli (R) and Emilia Sykes (D), Pennsylvania Representative Chris Deluzio (D), and Texas Representative Troy Nehls (R), the legislation includes sweeping reforms strongly supported by SMART-TD and rail labor, including:

  • Federal two-person crew (2-PC) requirements on freight trains;
  • Stronger regulations governing hazardous materials transportation;
  • Enhanced inspection protections and defect detector standards;
  • Increased accountability and penalties for safety violations;
  • Long train safety reviews and operational safeguards

We continue to celebrate this growing momentum for rail safety but are also mindful of the fact that the Reauthorization Bill still needs to pass both chambers of Congress.

Rail labor and safety advocates won a critical battle, but the war is far from over.

Didn’t Get a Flyer? You Can Still Act!

Even if you weren’t at today’s Big Boy stop in Northeast Ohio, you can still help support rail safety!

Ask your member of Congress to support the Railway Safety Act and enact practical, bipartisan reforms that will help prevent accidents before they happen.

Your voice matters; contact your Congressperson today!