Still more Thursday morning rail news:
Winds up to 100 mph halt Union Pacific trains in Wyoming
High winds forced Union Pacific to shut down operations across much of Wyoming on Wednesday, with similar disruptions likely today. In an advisory to customers, the railroad said winds gusts of 80 to 100 mph began in southeast Wyoming on Wednesday morning and are expected to continue today. “Until it is safe to resume service,” the advisory reports, “trains are currently being held between North Platte, Neb., and Green River, Wyo.” Shipments moving through the area could be delayed 36 to 48 hours.
Unions ask Homeland Security to create ‘no-ride list’ for trains
Following up on their earlier call for increased rail security in the Washington, D.C., area, two unions are asking the Department of Homeland Security to create a “no-ride list” similar to the airline industry’s no fly list. The request comes as the Federal Aviation Administration announced stricter enforcement of rules regarding unruly passengers. In a request for an emergency order, the presidents of the International Association fo Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen noted nothing more than a ticket is needed to board a train, writing, “There is no screening process. There is no TSA. And there are no significant statutes or regulations to penalize those willing to interfere with a train’s crew or to do harm on a train, especially not when compared to the airline industry.” The two unions made their initial call for increased security earlier this week [see “Digest: Unions ask FRA, Homeland Security …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 12, 2021].
Bluefield, W.Va., authorizes study as part of effort to land Norfolk Southern transload facility
The city of Bluefield, W.Va., has authorized a study as part of its effort to land a Norfolk Southern transload facility. The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports the city board approved a $55,000 by the engineering firm EL Robinson to determine demand for the Thoroughbred Bulk Terminal, which officials say could turn the community into a logistics hub. The study will examine cost savings from shipper use of the facility, assessment of present and future commodity volumes that could use the terminal, and workforce supply and demand, among other issues. Bluefield and Norfolk Southern recently reached agreement on replacement of a roadway over the railroad that had been a source of friction [see “Digest: Chicago suburbs feel continued loss …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 13, 2021].
