FRA: Supplemental Safety Assessment of NS Operations
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on March 7 announced its plan to conduct a 60-day supplemental assessment of Norfolk Southern (NS) following multiple safety incidents.
NS
Norfolk Southern Outlines New Six-Point Safety Plan
Norfolk Southern (NS) on March 6 announced a six-point plan to immediately enhance the safety of its operations. The initiatives are based on the preliminary findings of the National Transportation Safety Board
USDOT Marks ‘Significant Progress’ on Key Rail Safety Reforms Following NS Ohio Derailment
Following the derailment of 11 Norfolk Southern (NS) hazardous materials (hazmat) tank cars in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) says it is “marking significant early progress on its efforts to hold the rail industry accountable to work with Congress on key rail safety reforms that will improve safety for communities and rail workers in the long-term.”
East Palestine: NTSB Examining Tank Car Hatch Covers
Following the completion of damage assessment inspections of the 11 Norfolk Southern (NS) hazardous materials (hazmat) tank cars, including the five carrying vinyl chloride, that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it is “concerned that aluminum protective housing covers on some tank cars melted or were consumed when pressure relief devices (PRDs) vented burning gas while functioning as designed to relieve tank pressure.”
NS: Paid Sick Leave for BMWED, NCFO (UPDATED)
Norfolk Southern (NS) was the third Class I to offer paid sick leave to craft railroaders. On Feb. 22, it reported reaching an agreement with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED), and on Feb. 24, it added the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO).
STB Arbitration Program Sidelined
The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) arbitration program for small rate disputes will not go forward as written in its Dec. 19, 2022, rule.
NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on NS Ohio Derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board on Feb. 23 released a preliminary report on its investigation into the Norfolk Southern (NS) derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. NS, the Association of American Railroads (AAR)
Intermodal Briefs: Port of Baltimore, APM Terminals Mobile
ZIM Shipping Lines will increase service frequency and ship size at the Port of Baltimore. Also, APM Terminals Mobile targets U.S. Southeast and Midwest logistics growth.
Commentary
‘Where Are The Loads? There Ought To Be Loads’
FINANCIAL EDGE, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: January is always an unusual month. Holiday coziness is quickly exchanged for the realities of credit card bills, a “don’t talk to me about what you did in 2022; what are you going to do for me in 2023?” attitude from employers (apologies to JFK) and a new set of 52 weeks over which to compare railcar loadings. Ask any fan from any football team trying to survive through the NFL playoffs: January is an odd month.
Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MTA Metro-North, Tri-Rail
Amtrak advances crew training for Mobile-to-New Orleans intercity passenger rail service. Also, Connecticut lawmakers eye electrification of MTA Metro-North Railroad’s Danbury Branch; and south Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter railroad saw January ridership grow 30% over the same month last year.