Two adults, three children dead after collision with Amtrak train

An Amtrak train stuck a minivan Sunday morning near Trinidad, Colo., killing two adults, three children and seriously injuring a fourth child. Southwest Chief Amtrak Train 3 was traveling from Chicago to L.A. with 286 passengers when the accident occurred. None of the Amtrak passengers suffered any injuries as a result of the accident. According to…


June 27th 2016
June 30 – Deadline for Chicago Regional Meeting room reservation

If you’re attending the SMART TD Chicago Regional Meeting (July 25 – 27) you’ll want to reserve your room at the Sheraton Grand Chicago before the June 30th deadline – to get the member discount: $169 + tax/night. Click here for more information.    


June 24th 2016
Carrier at fault for June 3 Oregon derailment, says feds

Federal investigators are placing the blame squarely on Union Pacific Railroad for their lack of track maintenance as the cause of the June 3rd fiery derailment that resulted in a mass evacuation as 42,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the small town of Mosier, Oregon. Read the complete story here.  Photo courtesy of Silas…


June 23rd 2016
San Francisco Regional Meeting update

Fairmont San Francisco sold out, overflow rate expires June 17 The Fairmont San Francisco hotel has sold out. Not to worry, the overflow hotel – Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel – still has rooms available. The Mark Hopkins is conveniently located across the street from the Fairmont San Francisco and is offering members the same great…


June 16th 2016
SMART TD, BLET: Federal regulators must prohibit one-person freight train crews

Previsich SMART Transportation Division President John Previsich and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) President Dennis Pierce, issued a joint statement, following their submission of their comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on train crew size. “Operating freight trains with one-person train crews is unsafe and must be prohibited. That is the message…