Fall 2002
Volume 109 - No. 3
Fall 2002
Volume 109 - No. 3
BLE News Clips
"If I had a business in Olean (N.Y.) that depended on rail service, I'd be concerned because the history of the rail business is if they get rid of the overhead (through train) business, it won't be long before they try to get rid of the line altogether. Of course, that's just my opinion. But it's based on the railroad's past behavior." - Bob Linsey, Norfolk Southern-Northern Lines Vice General Chairman, on the railroad's decision to downgrade at rail line in Port Allegheny, Pa. from "main" to "secondary" status. (Port Allegheny, Pa.) Reporter Argus. August 8. circulation 2,600.
"You operate a train by the seat of your pants. It's in the feel you get that comes right up through where you sit from all those thousands of tons behind you. There's no other way to describe it. You're not going to get that with a computer." - BLE Division 444 (Belleville, Ill.) President John Helms, regarding Norfolk Southern's use of remote control. (Canton, Ill.) Ledger. August 6. circ. 5,428.
"The person is generally paid less than an engineer, and that goes back to safety. You're replacing an engineer with 20 to 25 years experience with someone with two weeks of training who has never operated a train before. It's an accident waiting to happen." - BLE spokesman John Bentley Jr. on the dangers of remote control use. (Norfolk, Va.) Virginian-Pilot., August 8. circ. 199,984.
"It's obvious to many of us in the railroad community that we're jeopardizing the public's safety by using remote control devices. Locomotive engineers receive months of training both in the classroom and in the field before they are certified to operate a locomotive. Workers that are operating a remote control device in lieu of an on-board engineer receive no more than two weeks of training. This is a recipe for disaster. It's arrogant for railroad companies to put profit ahead of safety or loyalty to their workers. Using remote control devices may save the company a little money, but at what price to public safety." - BLE Division 757 (New Castle, Pa.) member and Ohio State Senator Robert Hagan, on the dangers of remote control and the reasons he introduced a bill in the state of Ohio which would curtail its use. (Greenville, Ohio) Advocate. August 28. circ. 6,879.
"This is another major victory - not only for the BLE - but for all labor in the battle to preserve historic operating craft lines." - BLE International President Don M. Hahs on the BLE's victory before the National Mediation Board on the issue of a single craft on the Kansas City Southern. Progressive Railroading. September 2002. circ. 25,045.
© 2002 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers