DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa representative of the SMART-TD union says the union will try again next year to advance a bill that would limit freight train lengths in the state.
House File 2339, introduced last February, was sponsored by outgoing Rep. David Maxwell (R-District 76). It would not allow any train “that exceeds 8,500 feet in length on any part of a railroad,” with penalties of not less than $500 and not more than $5,00 per violation. The Iowa Legislature website does not show it advancing out of committee.
Radio Iowa reports that Chris Smith, state director for SMART-TD, said he and others will return to the statehouse to lobby for the bill next year. Smith, who has worked for Union Pacific for 18 years as a conductor and engineer, said they would be working “to be at the forefront in Iowa and in the United States” to pass the legislation to “help protect its citizens.”
He argues that longer trains are more unsafe, lead to more accidents, and pose a danger by blocking crossings for extended periods; a railroad spokesman says trains of all lengths have been operated safely for years and cites economic benefits to longer trains. The report does not identify the railroad.
Never could figure why STATES always propose legislation that in most cases they know it will get stuck down in the courts because its interstate commerce. Here’s my proposal: Be reasonable with us an we’ll be reasonable with you. If Not we’ll “TAX” the hell out of you laws.
(1) Pass Iowa law 2023-1, No train shall be over XXXX feet in length and can’t block street crossings for more than YY minutes.
(2) Pass Iowa law 2023-2. The law requires yearly assessments of “ALL” railroad property at 100% value This Law will only go into effect if the courts strike down Iowa Law 2023-1.
Maybe when it hits the companies bottom line will some of these railroads become good neighbors.
Yep. It will get struck down. But train length and blocked crossings are becoming a serious problem that needs to be dealt with.
There is no federal regulation on train length but since it’s interstate commerce states won’t be able to regulate it.
I agree that something needs to be done to avoid all the unnecessary delays that have been chronicled on News Wire in the preceding months, but I am opposed to a one-size-fits-all type of regulation. Perhaps something like a law saying a train cannot exceed the length of any siding on the route it traverses, or the length of yard tracks so that the train will fit into a yard or yard bypass tracks without blocking grade crossings or major junctions. Also, mandating the elimination of 10-mph turnouts in areas where higher speeds would not present a safety hazard would help eliminate or shorten delays. Just my thoughts based on what I have observed and heard on my scanner since the mid-1980s.
And we know that everything the federal government regulates is good for all.
Arizona voters passed an initiative when it became a state to limit freight train lengths to 70 cars, which bedeviled Santa Fe operations in the state for over 30 years (and which probably contributed to the road not getting their own ‘Big Boy’).
The Supeme Court threw it out about 1946.
Federally regulated —- like grade crossing delays.
We can agree on that…they’ll never even be able to get Federal legislation limiting train lengths, so why bother with states and wasting time with the court system. There’s more important things to worry about.