(BNSF Photograph)

BNSF, BLET Reach Tentative Agreement

BNSF and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) on Aug. 1 reported agreeing to a tentative deal on paid sick leave and other work/rest options for approximately 7,500 railroaders.

NTSB-provided photographs from the July 6, 2023, Norfolk Southern derailment in Virginia: Derailed gondola cars (left) and a wheelset with a burned-off bearing (right) from unit coal train 814V404. (Sources: NS, left; Federal Railroad Administration, right.)

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on NS Coal Train Derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report for the investigation of Norfolk Southern’s (NS) July 6, 2023, coal train derailment near Elliston, Va. The agency said future activity will focus on the wheelset and reconditioned bearings of the 71st railcar of the 105-car train; NS’s use of hot bearing detectors (HBD); and NS’s operating rules for defective equipment detectors.

(Photograph Courtesy of CSX)

CSX, SMART-TD Team to Extend Conductor Training Program

CSX and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division (SMART-TD) on July 31 reported partnering to extend the Class I railroad’s conductor training program and “provide new

Shariff Gonnella (left) is succeeding Norma Torres as BRG President.

OmniTRAX Appoints Shariff Gonnella as President, BRG

Shariff Gonnella on Aug. 1 will become President of OmniTRAX affiliate Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway, LLC (BRG), succeeding Norma Torres, a 2021 Railway Age Women in Rail honoree who will

(Photograph by William C. Vantuono)

ARCI: 2Q23 Freight Car Numbers on the Rise

Newly released data by the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) American Railway Car Institute Committee (ARCI) shows increases in railcar orders, deliveries and backlog in 2023’s second quarter—both sequentially and year-over-year.

CSX Announces 2022 Chemical Safety Excellence Award Winners

CSX on July 27 announced the 54 winners of the Class I railroad’s 29th annual Chemical Safety Excellence Awards recognizing customers for their “outstanding contribution to the safe transportation of hazardous materials.”

Duos Delivering ‘Near Real-Time’ Defect Detection Automation

Duos Technologies on July 27 announced that it has upgraded its centraco® command and control software and its truevue360™ platform, both of which are responsible for processing and communicating near real-time analysis of railcar conditions to customers and subscribers.

Cando Rail & Terminals Jump-Starts Battery Loco Project

Alberta-based Cando Rail & Terminals is developing a battery-electric switching locomotive through its Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) 2025 Project, which involves retrofitting a legacy, non-tier-compliant diesel-electric locomotive with a lithium-ion battery propulsion system. The

Wabtec’s Services team will modernize CN’s 60 certified pre-owned Dash-9 locomotives to bring the total modernized fleet to 110 locomotives.

Wabtec Modernizing 60 Additional CN Locomotives

CN on July 26 announced an order to enhance an additional 60 locomotives in its existing fleet through Wabtec’s modernization program, supporting the Class I railroad’s “commitment to drive growth in a sustainable manner and build success for customers, employees and communities.”

Tech Mahindra to Launch PTC Training for Short Lines

Tech Mahindra will launch a subscription-based Positive Train Control (PTC) digital training program customized for employees of short line railroads in the U.S. for American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) members.

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