Train trestle fire disrupts service in New Orleans

Read the complete story here.


February 15th 2016
Do you want more passenger rail service in Alabama?

By John Previsich, president of SMART Transportation Division and Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (www.ttd.org). Photo courtesy of Jim Allen (Local 1400) Alabamians sure love their college football, but what we’ve just recently learned is that they also like their passenger trains — and they’re willing to pay for them. A recent state-wide poll by DFM Research shows that…


February 12th 2016
Unions authorize strike against NJ Transit

NJ.com reported that members of the 17 rail union coalition have authorized a strike against New Jersey Transit. However, SMART TD General Chairperson Steve Burkert said, “We are certainly hopeful that NJ Transit gets back to the negotiating table.” Read the complete story here.


Railroad Retirement annuities not taxable by state

According to Section 14 (45 U.S.C. Section 231m) of the Railroad Retirement Act retirement annuities are not taxable for individual state income tax purposes. Bruce Rodman, of the Public Affairs/Office of Administration of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board says, “Both of our primary enabling statutes – the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance…


February 11th 2016
Nominate a Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year

  The following letter was released yesterday, February 10, by Carolina Worrell, Managing Editor at RailWay Age Magazine:     Dear Class II and Class III executives:  As most of you may know, each year Railway Age accepts nominations for its annual Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year competition. Self-nominations are accepted, even encouraged – and we…