Hotline #86 - May 14, 1999

The Federal Railroad Administration released new regulations on May 10 relating to railroad passenger car safety. While the industry has had its own standards for many years, this is the first time there have been such regulations on the federal level. The new standards have the force of law and apply -- for the most part -- to new equipment used by Amtrak and commuter railroads. Many of the rules simply repeat what is already standard practice, but there are major new changes in the area of cab cars on push-pull trains. Cab cars and lead cars in multiple-unit trains must have stronger corner crash posts and thicker steel shells to help reduce crash damage.

The Amtrak board announced the formation of a 21-member Mayors Advisory Council, while meeting this week in Chicago. It is made up of mayors who support a national passenger-train network and Amtrak's strategic business plan. The mayors are from New Orleans, Fort Worth, Newark, Richmond, Tallahassee, Macon, Roanoke, Wilmington, Grand Forks, Yuma, Palm Springs, Elkhart, Ind., Albany, Ore., Macomb, Ill., Salisbury, N.C., Dearborn, Mich., Marshall, Tex., Laurel, Miss., Edmonds, Wash., Rome, N.Y., and Waynesville, O.

California Gov. Gray Davis today announced proposed budget revisions that include expanded passenger train service. Davis proposes adding to a California car order to allow two more San Diegans, two more Capitols, and another Sacramento San Joaquin, plus more service on the Altamont Commuter Express.

The second Acela train set partly derailed while leaving the Bombardier plant in Barre, Vt., on May 9. A New England Central freight crew was trying to move it from the plant down to the main line at Montpelier Junction. One report stated that a rail had failed beneath the rear power car, and it was dragged for almost 100 yards. It's unclear how much damage was caused or when the line can be reopened for other Bombardier deliveries. The train was headed for crew orientation in Philadelphia and remains the responsibility of Bombardier.

Another battle over truck weights is looming in the House, with introduction of a bill to allow 97,000-pound trucks nationwide. The sponsors claim this will enhance safety, saying bigger trucks mean fewer shipments. However, truck traffic tonnage has increased by 45% already since 1990, with no signs of flagging. Railroads can and should carry more of this traffic, instead of having truckers raid public coffers to pay for the road damage their heavy trucks cause.

The board of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has decided to give a contract for equipment maintenance to a consortium of Boise Locomotive and Herzog Transit Services. Amtrak currently has the project, but was underbid by $59 million. The new team plans to cut the work force nearly in half, from 554 to 300, according to the Boston Herald. Amtrak will continue to operate the Boston-area commuter trains.

The Caltrain Joint Powers Board approved on May 6, on a 5-4 vote, to restore a proposal to electrify the commuter line to the agency's long-range plan. Only weeks ago, the proposal seemed dead, when the board was favoring making other needed capital investments first. Funding and a timetable for any of the work are still uncertain.

The transit agency in Columbus, O., has released a long-range plan that includes eight commuter-train routes to be put into place in stages between 2005 and 2020.

NARP and other groups have asked the Senate to support bill S.712, introduced by Senators Lott, Hutchison, Breaux, and Wyden, to promote grade crossing safety programs. The Look, Listen and Live Stamp Act would authorize a special rate postage stamp that would devote revenues to Operation Lifesaver.