Educating the next generation of railroaders

“You’re going to be a high school senior this fall. Any thoughts on a career? College?” “Well, Dad, I think I might like to work for a railroad. It’s a pretty important business, and I hear that the pay and benefits are really good. And I’ve always been interested in trains.” [...]

Role of aircraft automation eyed in air crash

WASHINGTON – The crash landing of a South Korean airliner in San Francisco has revived concerns that airline pilots get so little opportunity these days to fly without the aid of sophisticated automation that their stick-and-rudder skills are eroding. The National Transportat [...]

Futhey To Step Down Following Arbitration Proceedings

At the conclusion of the SMART Transportation Division’s Boston regional meeting July 3, Transportation Division President Mike Futhey announced he will step down from office, pending resolution of arbitration proceedings regarding the union’s constitution. In October 2011, G [...]

Train disaster spurs rail vs. pipeline debate

A train disaster that killed five people in Quebec promises to touch off debate over the safety of shipping crude oil by rail or pipelines such as TransCanada Corp. (TRP)’s Keystone XL. As authorities began investigating the explosion of refinery-bound tank cars hauled by Mon [...]

Rep. Lynch, Boardman Visit Boston Regional Meeting

The SMART Transportation Division opened its Boston regional meeting July 1 with a town hall forum at which SMART members were able to pose questions directly to the union’s leadership. More than 800 members, guests and presenters are attending the regional meeting. After ope [...]

Amtrak barred from rulemaking over freight rails

Amtrak’s role in setting on-time performance standards that could trigger U.S. investigations of railroads whose trains get in its way are unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington today said Congress had i [...]