​View of the accident scene, courtesy of NTSB.

NTSB Issues MRL Derailment Preliminary Report

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report for its investigation of the performance of DOT-111 tank cars in a Montana Rail Link (MRL) train that was involved in

(Screen Grab of image from KTVQ of Billings, Mont., report on July 23.)

Reports: MRL Reopens Railroad Bridge 28 Days After Collapse

Montana Rail Link (MRL) has resumed traffic over the Twin Rivers Railroad bridge in Stillwater County, Mont., which on June 24 collapsed, sending one of the regional’s trains, hauling hot asphalt and

On June 26, 2023, a CSX conductor trainee was killed during a shoving movement at the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore, Md. Shown above: an illustrated aerial view of the accident scene. (Source: Google Earth; Courtesy of NTSB)

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Shove Movement Investigation Following Trainee Fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of the June 26, 2023, accident involving a CSX conductor trainee, who was killed while riding the lead railcar during a shoving movement at the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore, Md. The terminal is managed by Ports America, and the track is owned and inspected by Canton Railroad.

(Photograph Courtesy of UP, via Twitter)

Report: UP To Run Ground-Based Conductor Pilot Program

Union Pacific (UP) this summer will test the use of ground-based conductors in western Nebraska, between North Platte and Morrill, and in Colorado and Wyoming, between Denver and Cheyenne, according to the Associated Press.

Commentary

Crew-Size Edicts Threaten Small Railroads

WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE JUNE 2023 ISSUE: How many crew members are required to operate a freight train safely? The two federal agencies most qualified to answer objectively are in doubt.

Photo Courtesy of VCFD, via Twitter

Reports: Amtrak Train Derails After Hitting Truck in Southern Calif.; 16 Injured

An Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train heading to Seattle from Los Angeles and carrying approximately 198 passengers derailed on June 28 at 11:15 a.m. in Moorpark, Calif., after striking a county water truck that was blocking the tracks, injuring 16 people and causing “severe damage” to the train, according to multiple news reports.

NTSB photo

NTSB: Short Circuit Probable Cause of MBTA Passenger Fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently determined that the probable cause of an April 10, 2022, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) passenger fatality was a short circuit in the passenger door

The accident OCU, a handheld device that enables a train operator to control the train remotely.

BNSF Adopts Rule Change Following Switching Movement Accident

Following a Feb. 9, 2022, accident involving a BNSF Railway switchman who was struck and killed by a train during a switching movement in the railroad’s Denver, Colo., Globeville Yard, the Class I has adopted the following rule change: “when necessary to ride on the engine exterior, employees must not ride on platforms or walkways and must not ride on steps when coupling, and the train must not exceed 20 mph,” according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Railroad Investigation Report issued June 9, 2023.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.)

Van Orden Debuts Rail Inspector Safety Act

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would be able to add more investigators to its team under the Rail Inspector Safety Act, which Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) introduced June 13 and

NTSB to Hold East Palestine Investigative Hearing

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced May 24 that it will hold a two-day investigative hearing in East Palestine, Ohio, on June 22-23, as part of the ongoing investigation into the

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