PTC Archives

September 11, 2014
C&S/IT

One-person crew proposal rejected on BNSF

BNSF Railway conductors and ground-service workers represented by General Committee GO-001 of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air and Rail Transportation Workers (SMART, formerly the United Transportation Union) have rejected a proposal to allow freight trains equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC) to operate as early as next year with a lone engineer in the cab and no conventional on-board conductor between specific territories in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

August 28, 2014
C&S/IT

R.J. Corman acquires Roadway Worker Training

R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC has acquired St. Augustine, Fla.-based Roadway Worker Training, Inc. (RWT), which provides specialized training and support services to the railroad industry.

August 22, 2014
C&S/IT

Exemptions expanded in FRA’s final PTC rule

The Federal Railroad Aministration published its final rule concerning Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in the Aug. 22, 2014, Federal Register. The rule, which takes effect Oct. 21, 2014, expands certain exemptions and comes 16 months before the full implementation deadline of Dec. 31, 2015.

Commentary

August 18, 2014
C&S/IT

BLET in catbird seat over crew consist

News item: Vouchsafed to work jointly in gaining legislation or regulation mandating two crew members on every freight train are the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union (SMART) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).

August 08, 2014
C&S/IT

Siemens Rail Automation expands in Pennsylvania

Siemens Rail Automation announced on August 8, 2014 that it will combine and expand its manufacturing and engineering operations at a new facility in the Pittsburgh area “to help meet growing demand for its rail automation technologies.”

July 30, 2014
C&S/IT

Protran lands Collision Avoidance System contracts

Protran Technology has delivered the first sets of its Collision Avoidance System to a major East Coast transit agency and a maintenance-of-way contractor.

Commentary

July 28, 2014
C&S/IT

When you get a good deal, take it

Arbitrator Robert O. Harris told the United Transportation Union (UTU) and railroads in 1991, then unable to agree at the bargaining table, “Welcome to the oldest established craps game in Washington. Like the suckers in ‘Guys and Dolls,’ you are risking your futures on the roll of the dice [when you fail to make a voluntary agreement].”

July 25, 2014
C&S/IT

Analyst: GE/Alstom deal strengthens Alstom’s competitive position

According to analyst Eshna Basu of The Motley Fool, “the General Electric-Alstom deal could create the world’s largest rail equipment maker.” Basu’s analysis follows GE’s multi-billion-dollar purchase of Alstom’s power business last month—a deal that includes Alstom’s acquisition of GE Transportation’s signaling and communications business.

July 21, 2014
C&S/IT

Thompson to SMART reps: “You have hit a grand slam”

In a July 20, 2014 letter to SMART-Transportation Division International Representative John W. Babler and General Chairperson Randall S. Knutson, former United Transportation Union International President Paul C. Thompson expresses his support for the tentative agreement on one-person train crews reached by BNSF Railway and SMART General Committee 001:

Commentary

July 17, 2014
C&S/IT

BNSF, SMART seek historic crew consist revision

A gutsy, proactive, and far-sighted collaboration between BNSF and a general committee of its largest labor union has produced a tentative agreement to allow freight trains equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC) to operate as early as next year with a lone engineer in the cab and no conventional on-board conductor between specific territories in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.