Rail Wrecks & Reform

09/05/2026

The Railway Safety Act of 2026 has eight bipartisan Senate sponsors including senators from both parties in Ohio — the state where East Palestine happened. The bill requires defect detection technology, mandates two-person crews, expands hazmat restrictions, requires railroads to tell states what chemicals are moving through their communities, and increases fines for violations.

09/04/2026

SMART-TD supports the UP-NS “merger” after securing what is calls a historic jobs for life agreement- No involuntary furloughs for conductors, engineers, and YardMasters for the duration of their careers. BLET and BMWED  call that promise mostly hollow- saying it gives UP and NS complete control over who is protected, who is left out, and when commitment can be changed. 

09/04/2026

On August 8 the Senate voted 90-6 to extend surface transportation funding through December 11 — but the extension does not include the advance appropriations that fund the actual programs. Without those, a $36.8 billion annual shortfall begins October 1. Amtrak. Commuter rail. Public transit. Roads. Bridges. All face funding gaps starting in 28 days.

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

For many railroaders, a passion for trains starts at an early age.

"I was so excited to be hired by BNSF," said Collin Wilson, locomotive engineer. "I'm literally running a living piece of history every day."

Wilson turned a childhood dream of railroading into a career helping move the goods that businesses and communities rely on.

🚂 Read his inspiring story: https://tinyurl.com/h7y32wce

09/03/2026

PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT NOT TO DO!

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Standing with Vice President Vance's demand for truth, SMART-TD wants to know who sent crews into contaminated ground and what they knew when they made the call. https://www.smart-union.org/we-praised-bidens-rail-safety-wins-we-will-not-stay-silent-on-east-palestine/

09/01/2026

OVER 500 COMMENTS ON THE BRIGHTLINE POST!
A lot saying the same thing! (Not that we couldn’t figure that out) FEDERAL DATA confirms it, FRA classified virtually every death as trespassing! FLORIDA DOT says 94% of all rail fatalities involve trespassing or crossing violations. People are choosing stupidity, and or doing it on purpose! NO BRIGHTLINE death has ever been ruled the railroads fault!

09/01/2026

We're joining the Association of American Railroads Faces of Freight campaign, Sept. 1-7, by highlighting people who help power our railroad every day.

Innovation happens when experience and technology work hand in hand.

"Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my job is knowing that our people and network are safer than ever," said Ed Tumbas, manager of network control systems.

Tumbas helps manage Positive Train Control (PTC) technology that enhances safety on our network.

🚂 Read more about Ed's work: https://tinyurl.com/mry4s6rj

Follow along this week for more examples of BNSF employees who help keep our network operating safely and reliably.