Letters to the editor

Winter 2000
Volume 107 - No. 4

Communications

Remote Control: A battle in which we must be victorious

Dear Editor:

I've been reading with great interest the articles in the Locomotive Engineers Journal (Summer 2000, page 13) concerning the battle between the carriers and the BLE over remotely operated locomotives. I am very pleased to see the BLE taking a firm stand against their implementation into the national network of railroads.

I worked for a number of years with similar units at the LTV Steel mine in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. Although there was never a fatality at the mine, due to remote operation, there were numerous close calls that would curl your hair. The only reason there was never a fatality or
serious injury was due to the quick action by the rails involved or pure, dumb LTV luck.

This is a fight that needs to be won.

Mark A. Roue
BLE Division 768
Thief River Falls, Minn.

Engineer sets the record straight

(Editor's Note: The following letter was written by a BLE member to the editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper.)

Dear Editor:

I am an employee of CSX Transportation with 20 years service as a locomotive engineer. After reading a recent letter, "Cruel train noise" (in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), I can't believe the accusations and the unfounded information that a part-time observer would write about railroad operations. I not only disagree with the individual but also hope to clarify several of these issues for the benefit of your readers and the people living in the affected areas.

First and foremost, unlike some people who drive vehicles on the highways and roads of our city, we do not operate our trains with malice, harmful intent, disregard safety, or to play games. There are many factors that affect the movement and control of our trains; one, for example, is track speed limit. These are similar to road speed limits and are applicable in various locations throughout our operating division. Unlike driving an automobile, it takes a much longer time for us to clear our limits, because they apply for the entire length of the train. We do not randomly increase or decrease the speed of our trains.

Regardless of the time of day or whether there are cars or people on the crossing, we are required by law to blow the train whistle at all crossings - public and private, day and night. We don't desire to disturb anyone's sleep.

As for the screeching noise, there is more of a probability that the noise is created from the wheel flange rolling against the track edge rather than a (casual) brake application as was alluded to in the aforementioned letter. Years ago, when cast iron brake shoes were used on rolling stock (freight cars), there were loud noises caused by the metal to metal contact. The brake shoes currently used on rolling stock are made from a composition material very much the same as your automobile brakes. We do not haphazardly make brake applications.

There is one comment the previous writer made that I will agree with: Due to the increase of vehicular traffic and people near the tracks, the need to sound the whistle has probably escalated. But in no way is it the desire of a locomotive engineer to be cruel.

The "old time" railroad was here long before the area became blighted, was here during construction of the new homes, and was obvious during the viewings.

I am sorry for those who were not aware of our existence when they decided to move into our area. I can't apologize for doing my job the right way.

Respectfully,

Bob Sorg
BLE Division 370
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Public 'servants' have roles reversed in Washington DC

Dear Editor:

Now that the "public servants" of the "Washington District of Criminals" have successfully killed the 60/30 railroad pension, can there be any question as to the dual-class system here in America? Case in point: ask these public servants (masters) the following questions. First, how long (in years) do you have to perform in the Senate to be eligible to receive a government pension? The answer is one term or six years. Second, at what age are you eligble to receive your pension? The answer is 55. Third, what percent of your last year's salary do you receive as your pension? The anwer is 100 percent, which is currently equivalent to $142,000.

No class system in America, you say?!

The real reason why H.R. 4844 failed is because these Senators and our government want to eventually blend the Railroad Retirement fund with Social Security. These criminals have stolen the Social Security Trust fund and now want to get their hands onto the Railroad Retirement fund. If they allowed Railroad Retirement annuitants to reduce to 60/30, then they would eventually have to allow Social Security annuitants to do the same.

It is high time for these questions to be made public by our BLE leaders. Each and every Brother and Sister should write, email or fax these public "masters" to inform them of this problem.

This facade must come down or shut the railroads down!

Brad Wargin
BLE Division 520
Joliet, Ill.

Engineer's message gets through loud and clear

Hello Mr. Editor:

I just read the article Mr Santucci wrote titled, "Why we blow whistles," (April 2000 Locomotive Engineer Newsletter by BLE Division 10 member Joseph D. "Tuch" Santucci). This article shines a whole new light on the dangers of the train crew members in grade crossing accidents. As Mr. Santucci wrote at the end of his article, I can't fathom a guess as to how on God's green earth an educated attorney could advocate suit against the railroad personnel!

These "people" who don't care enough to stop at the crossings just seem to be cleansing the face of the earth of the "undesirables" (my term).

Thanks for publishing such a great article to the net and making it available to the public!

P.S. My dad used to run across in front of the trains until I kind of became an "Unofficial" Operation Lifesaver presenter. By that I mean I haven't had the official presenters' class yet.

Mike Pendergrass
Via the Internet
mpend@concentric.net

UTU member asks BLE to go for more

Dear Editor:

I have been employed with the Union Pacific Railroad for just over a year. I was wondering how your union was progressing with national contract talks with the Class I railroads. I just read the agreement you were able to negotiate with SEPTA, and your prior success with Norfolk Southern on very favorable contracts.

I am currently a member of the UTU and would just like to encourage you to go after much more than the weak tentative contract the UTU walked away with. Perhaps it is time that many UTU members will be frustrated enough to let their voice be heard by quitting the UTU and looking for another union.

I have not read anything on your web site that would indicate how negotiations are going. I hope that you will let your membership know soon what you expect to be the outcome of this round of negotiations.

Kevin Fisher
Conductor
UTU Local 0650
Via the Internet

The Locomotive Engineers Journal welcomes letters. Please include your name, address, BLE Division number, and phone number on any submission. We reserve the right to edit for space considerations.

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