In the opinion of the late President Ronald Regan, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” Among railroaders, the phrase
So it was, following a dark night highway-rail grade crossing accident, that the train’s conductor swore under oath he was waving a lantern “back and forth” prior to the automobile operator ignoring
Surface Transportation Board (STB) nominee and Republican Richard Kloster received a favorable vote from the Senate Commerce Committee March 12 to fill one of two vacant seats on the five-member Board. The positive vote was along party lines, 15-13. Kloster’s name now will be forwarded to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for advancement to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote.
WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE MARCH 2026 ISSUE: For Surface Transportation Board (STB) Vice Chairperson Republican Michelle A. Schultz, preparation and persistence paved what likely was an already preordained career path. Serving a
National Mediation Board (NMB) member and Democrat Deirdre Hamilton has sued to regain her post following her Oct. 14, 2025, firing by POTUS 47—one of many legally questionable independent federal regulatory agency
WATCHING WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 2026 ISSUE: Call them the “menses horribiles.” They’ve not been kind to the desired wedlock of Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS), and worse for UP CEO Jim
Republican Richard Kloster, whose nomination to an open seat on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) failed to exit the Senate Commerce Committee during the first session of the 119th Congress, has been
Fewer than six months after scrapping a rail labor, management and supplier-supported Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is restoring it, but with a smaller membership to be
WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE JANUARY 2026 ISSUE: It’s called “unitary executive theory.” It asserts the Constitution’s Article II provides for one executive, the President, and others may not wield substantial executive power
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced Jan. 7 a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)—Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Competition: Review of Part 1144, Docket Ex Parte No. 788—which, if finalized following public
