Transportation News

Visit the digital archive of the SMART-TD News (PDFs)

SMART TD, BLET to FRA: Ban one-person freight train crews

SMART Transportation Division President John Previsich and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) President Dennis Pierce, issued a joint statement, following their submission of their comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on train crew size. [...]

RRB issues statements of service

Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a “Certificate of Service Months and Compensation” (Form BA-6) for every railroad employee who had creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB will mail the forms to employees during the [...]

FRA clarifies “Smartwatch” Rule – Fitbits restricted

The question? May an employee wear a device like a “Garmin Vivofit” or “Fitbit” wristband that acts like a watch, and counts the steps that an individual takes each day?  The devices are not searching for the internet, or Wifi, to do this and must be synchronized with Bluetoo [...]

FRA clarifies "Smartwatch" Rule – Fitbits restricted

The question? May an employee wear a device like a “Garmin Vivofit” or “Fitbit” wristband that acts like a watch, and counts the steps that an individual takes each day?  The devices are not searching for the internet, or Wifi, to do this and must be s [...]

Two days after Oregon derailment, 100 residents remain evacuated

Oregon Live reported that approximately 100 residents remain unable to go back to their homes in Mosier, Oregon, following an oil freight derailment on Friday. Possible environmental concerns arose regarding the Columbia River, as a light oil sheen can be seen floating on the [...]

UP oil train derails and catches fire in Oregon

According to The Oregonian, a Union Pacific oil train traveling through the Columbia River Gorge derailed and caught fire Friday afternoon. Although no injuries were reported, local schools evacuated students and nearby state highways were shut down. The train originated from [...]