More Wednesday morning rail news:
BNSF ends nighttime operations on Aurora, Ill., spur as neighbors complain about noise
BNSF Railway has ended nighttime operations on an Aurora, Ill., spur that had led to complaints from neighbors about noise from train horns. Kane County Connects reports the railroad is resuming first-shift operations on the Nifa Spur and ending third-shift work, which the railroad said began because of the impact of COVID-19 on operations. A release from the city of Aurora says the railroad is making the change “to better need the operational needs of the industry.” Aurora officials had met with BNSF to request changes because residents said the nighttime horns had “reduced quality of life.”
One killed when work crew hit by train in Alabama
One railroad worker was killed and two others were injured when a work crew was hit by a train in the Mobile, Ala., suburb of Prichard on Tuesday. WPMI-TV reports the accident occurred about 2:45 p.m.; the name of the victim and other details have not yet been released. Video posted by WLRG-TV shows a Canadian National train that struck a truck and a front-end loader which were on the tracks. No other information is currently available.
Pittsburgh transit workers, Port Authority reach agreement on new contracts
Pittsburgh-area transit workers have reached agreement with the Port Authority of Allegheny County on new contracts after working without a deal since June 30. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the authority and Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Union confirmed a deal had been reached, but would not discuss details of the agreements for 2,300 operators, maintenance workers, and office staff members.
