Class Is Think Long-Term Intermodal Growth Despite Short-Term Turmoil
Introducing The Rising Stars Of 2025
2025 C&S Spending Report
BNSF Forms Team Focused On Growing Single Carloads
Newsletter Sign Up
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
railPrime
RAIL EMPLOYMENT & NOTICES
Rail News Home
Rail Industry Trends
Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration announced it issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) designed to improve the crashworthiness of new and rebuilt freight locomotives to increase workers' safety.
The proposed rule — which would require certain safety enhancements to ensure a locomotive's structural integrity during an accident or collision — augments industry standards that were implemented in 1989.
The FRA proposes that the standards call for anti-climbing features, collision posts, short-hood structures, under-frame structural improvements and strengthened external fuel tanks to prevent ruptures. The administration also proposes that locomotive cab interiors include emergency egress and lighting, and reconfigured controls.
The rule would require locomotives to withstand a frontal impact with an object designed to simulate a heavy highway vehicle and an oblique impact with an object designed to simulate a misaligned intermodal container on a train traveling on adjacent track.
"We have spent considerable resources researching and testing the applicability of new technology," said FRA acting Administrator Betty Monro in a prepared statement. "It exists, it works and we should use it to protect the lives of our railroad workers."
The Railroad Safety Advisory Committee — comprising representatives from the FRA, railroads, rail labor unions and rail industry suppliers — recommended the changes proposed by the NPRM. The FRA is accepting comments on the proposed rule until Jan. 3.
11/3/2004
Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
Proposed FRA rule calls for locomotive crashworthiness improvements
advertisement
Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration announced it issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) designed to improve the crashworthiness of new and rebuilt freight locomotives to increase workers' safety.
The proposed rule — which would require certain safety enhancements to ensure a locomotive's structural integrity during an accident or collision — augments industry standards that were implemented in 1989.
The FRA proposes that the standards call for anti-climbing features, collision posts, short-hood structures, under-frame structural improvements and strengthened external fuel tanks to prevent ruptures. The administration also proposes that locomotive cab interiors include emergency egress and lighting, and reconfigured controls.
The rule would require locomotives to withstand a frontal impact with an object designed to simulate a heavy highway vehicle and an oblique impact with an object designed to simulate a misaligned intermodal container on a train traveling on adjacent track.
"We have spent considerable resources researching and testing the applicability of new technology," said FRA acting Administrator Betty Monro in a prepared statement. "It exists, it works and we should use it to protect the lives of our railroad workers."
The Railroad Safety Advisory Committee — comprising representatives from the FRA, railroads, rail labor unions and rail industry suppliers — recommended the changes proposed by the NPRM. The FRA is accepting comments on the proposed rule until Jan. 3.
