NTSB indicates safety at industrial facilities will be part of investigation of BNSF fatality
The National Transportation Safety Board has indicated it will look into safety factors for rail workers at industrial facilities, as well as investigating the cause, after issuing its preliminary report into the fatality of a BNSF Railway crew member at a plant in Louisiana, Mo., on April 7, 2021. The NTSB reports a BNSF local with two locomotives, 21 cars, and a modified flatcar was switching at a Dyno Nobel, Inc., industrial track at less than 9 mph when the engineer lost radio contact with the conductor, who was found lying on the ground next to the train. The accident occurred about 3:30 p.m. An NTSB investigative team at the location gathered preliminary information, conducted interviews, and recorded drone footage of a reenactment of the accident.
Indiana town completes sale of railroad
North Judson, Ind., has completed sale of its railroad after 17 years, with Midwest & Bluegrass Rail completing purchase of the 33-mile line. WKVI-FM reports city officials celebrated the sale both for the funds it brought in and because the city’s ownership achieved its goal of preserving service to the town at a time when it was threatened. The town council and redevelopment commission approved creation of a Redevelopment Commission Fund to handle the money resulting from the sale. Midwest & Bluegrass, which was already operating the line as part of its ownership of the Cheaspeake & Indiana, bought the railroad for $2.725 million, the highest of three bids [see “Digest: North Judson, Ind., to sell short line …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 19, 2021].
Commemoration of Golden Spike returns this weekend in Utah
After being curtailed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual commemoration of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad will return this weekend at the Golden Spike National Historical Park in Promontory, Utah. The Ogden Standard-Examiner reports the park will hold evens May 8-10 including reinactments of the 1869 completion ceremony and famous “champagne photo,” steam locomotive demonstrations, and special exhibits. To meet CDC, state, and local COVID-19 measures, tickets are required and are available here. Tickets, including park entrance and a reservation fee, are $20 per vehicle, regardless of the number of occupants per vehicle.
