217.370.8505 cory@bletislb.org

Senate to schedule vote on Railway Safety Act: media report

Senate to schedule vote on Railway Safety Act: media report WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised to schedule a vote on the stalled Railway Safety Act, the political website The Hill reports, but Republican leader Mitch McConnell opposes the...

McConnell stands in way of Brown, Vance victory on Rail Safety Act

The legislation would enhance safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, requiring emergency response plans and stricter regulations to prevent wheel bearing failures. The failure of a sensor to alert the crew to an overheating wheel bearing was blamed for the disaster.

The legislation would require two-person crews for freight trains and would substantially increase fines for safety violations.
It would require the Federal Railroad Administration to oversee infrastructure improvements to railside defect detectors and prohibit issuing caps on inspection times to inspectors.

Amtrak announces another round of weather cancellations

CHICAGO — Amtrak has announced a significant number of cancellations beginning Thursday, Jan. 11, for long-distance and state-supported trains serving Chicago in anticipation of a major winter storm expected to hit the Midwest Friday and Saturday. The majority of...