CARSON CITY, Nevada — The Nevada legislature has become the latest to consider limiting the length of freight trains, through introduction of a bill which would prohibit trains of more than 7,500 feet.
AB 456, introduced on March 27, sets penalties for violations beginning at $5,000 and escalating to $25,000. The bill also would set hours-of-service provisions for yardmasters, and requires traffic-control devices at any grade crossing where there has been a collision or near-miss between a train and motor vehicle.
A proposed amendment would also require wayside detectors every 10 to 15 miles, with trains limited to 10 mph or less when traveling in areas not so equipped, and outlines the procedures crews must follow if notified of a defect.
The Nevada Independent reports that the state Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure, was told by labor representatives during a Tuesday hearing about safety concerns stemming from job cuts and deteriorating working conditions. Ron Kaminkow, a Reno-based Amtrak engineer and organizer for the group Railroad Workers United, testified of “fear amongst the workforce. … Hardly a day goes by I don’t talk to somebody, especially in the train and engine craft, who just does not feel safe any longer.”
But the Independent reports Peggy Ygbuhay, head of Union Pacific public affairs in Nevada and California, suggested such regulation is a matter for the federal government because of its impact on interstate commerce.
“A bill like 456 would restrict the flow of commerce into and out of Nevada and impact customers and consumers who rely on a robust supply chain to deliver needed commodities,” Ygbuhay said. “Increased train length did not occur overnight and it is the result of significant work and technological learning over the past decade.”
“…consumers who rely on a robust supply chain to deliver needed commodities,”
Well all I can say is that right now we have nothing near a “robust supply chain” and I don’t expect to have one any time soon as long as trade wars and profit taking take a front seat to fulfilling a corporations responsibility to deliver it products to its customers in time without making excuses or embargoing their net work because a dispatcher has a hang nail of the weather might be less that they would have experienced as long as five years ago. But nobody is doing that now are they? lol
How about this. The FRA issues a rule that prohibits any railroad from dispatching a train longer than the shortest siding on the route to its destination. At least this would insure that all trains can pass each other without complex moves.
Great idea but it won’t happen… to simple and common sensical.
increase train length came about because of PSR and the worship of Wall st.. I hope every state puts into place train length
True bad move
A similar proposed bill in the 2023 session of Washington state legislature (proposing an 8,000′ limit) died during session. Not sure if this bill will go anywhere and if it does get signed into law, it will no doubt be challenged by the Union Pacific.
Shorter trains are going to require one item not talked about. It will require more shorter sidings and more around the clock operations. Amtrak would have better OTP.
with all the states ( and more to come ) passing train length legislation congress will have to act sooner or later. The longer congress waits then the more likely congressional action will limit lengths.
Maybe Nevasa doesn’t want or need railroads? Give the their wish! Pull-up the tracks! And, never go back.
Ah, now we have a paranoid workforce…excellent. For once someone actually made a common sense remark about train length. Go back to when the railroads first started and bring it up to now…there’s been an incremental approach to increased train lengths throughout the history of railroading.
P.S. – They can run 3 mile long iron ore trains in Australia without problems, so it’s clearly not an issue with train length.
There are no hogbacks in Australia. But didn’t it have a spectacular run away?
Gerald, Your P.S. is B.S.
You are comparing apples and oranges. The Australian operations are purpose built with uniform consists of newly constructed cars operating over very uniform infrastructure. Compare that to 12,000 feet of mixed everything, pre-blocked in no particular order within the block.
As previously stated in prior comments to your tired comment, your P.S. is B.S. (Or Bovine By-product)
Well, Alan, only on the iron ore lines! Our ruling grade in New South Wales is usually 1 in 40