New DVDs to Start Your 2017! RAILROAD NEWS AND COMMENTARY FROM WASHINGTON BY WES VERNON From Different Directions: Rail Under Fire


CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY stands accused of direct responsibility for damages caused by the 2013 runaway crude oil train that derailed and set off an explosion and fire that resulted in 47 dead or presumed dead, the fourth deadliest rail accident in Canadian history. The government of Quebec, in new charges filed in court, noted that the train picked up the shipment in the U.S. and the final scheduled destination was New Brunswick. In addition to the loss of life, the conflagration flattened a significant part of the city of Lac- Megantic. For its part, Canadian Pacific has been


taking the Transportation Safety Board of Canada to task for related matters. Specifically, the railroad disputes TSB Chairwoman Kathy Fox’s comments alleging crew fatigue “most notably regarding freight train operations.” The railroad says although its management welcomes the agency’s emphasis on rail safety, its discussions on the issue should be more “fact-based.” CP questioned Fox’s October 31 statement, as quoted by CP, that 6 percent of human-caused rail incidents may have involved fatigue. “That statement is not based on fact,” according to the rail line. Fox had claimed that “(Too) many


train crews are not getting the rest they need,” with shifts “... too long or irregular scheduling that interferes with sleep times.” CP Chief Operating Officer Keith Creel said his company “would welcome” a chance to meet with Ms. Fox and provide “context and detail to dispel many misconceptions.”


Crash This Side of the Border Meanwhile, ongoing investigations


of the September 29 Hoboken, N.J., crash have focused on a less-than- desirable safety record for New Jersey Transit, allegedly one of the worst. An audit prompted by the damage that resulted in one death and more than 100 injuries at the century-old station across the Hudson from New York City has reviewed a string of safety problems more voluminous than originally indicated. Federal data shows NJT has been involved in 157 accidents in the past five years. That’s three times as many as the Long Island Rail Road, America’s largest commuter train operation. The railroad, owned by the Garden State government, has paid $519,280 in fines to settle 183 federal safety violations.


One lawyer representing a victim of


the crash charged the Hoboken accident reflects “a culture of not caring.” One of the first victims to file a lawsuit was Sheldon Kest, who suffered a partially ripped-off finger as well as gashes in the head from the accident. This brings us back to the endless dispute as to whether the railroads are working quickly enough to get the accident-preventing (or injury- reducing) Positive Train Control in place. Kest’s lawyer has pointed out NJT was slow to install the technology. NJT reportedly agreed to pay


Peter Cannito, a former Metro-North president, $350 an hour to review FRA violations. It was shown that New Jersey Transit has had more accidents than any other commuter railroad in the country. The New York Times says New Jersey Transit is in a crisis, including aging tracks and trains that need billions of dollars in improvements. NJT, according to the Times, has gone nearly a year without a permanent leader, as the system experiences about one major delay every two days.


Rail Problems Large and Small As if it weren’t distressing enough


that freight rail must navigate its way through the same crippled economy affecting industries nationwide, now the Class I carriers fear they must also beg Washington not to add to its woes by resurrecting the Dracula-like return of the age-old pressure to allow “reciprocal switching.” That, our regular readers may remember, is the idea that if one railroad believes it could save time and money (and have extra “convenience”) by using a competitor’s trackage, the railroad that owns the desired property should be willing to allow it. Just so no one misses the point; this


is not the equivalent of asking your next door neighbor if you can borrow a cup of sugar. This is serious business, and the railroad industry believes once it becomes the generally accepted rule of the rails, the result could be chaos during busy seasons, even — to some extent — during periods of the slower- paced lighter rail traffic. In recent days, Ian Jefferies, senior


vice president of government affairs for the Association of American Railroads, has written that “competitive” switching, under consideration by the Surface Transportation Board, looms again as a possibility even though there is an absence of any evidence of “competitive


Latest DVDs For 2016-17


611 Trilogy Volume 1: 2015 action at Spencer, return to Roanoke, and three days of two trips per day from Roanoke to Lynchburg, and Walton. Many grades and good action.


75 min. SD: $25 BR: $30


611 Trilogy Volume 2: May 7-8, 2016, two trips per day from Roanoke to Lynchburg, and Walton. Also one-way to Manassas.


92 min. SD: $25 BR: $30


611 Trilogy Volume 3: April 2016 Greensboro to Roanoke, plus three trips from Manassas. Fast running, and steep grades. 95 min. SD: $25 BR: $30


611 Trilogy Combo: All 3 DVDs. SD: $60 BR: $75


Snow Busting: Three trips from 2014-16 on the C&TS plowing, and flanger OJ on photo specials. Dramatic plowing scenes including on the train, and trackside surprises. Also see freight train run-bys. Dramatic rare steam action! 93 min. SD $25 BR: $30


N&W Steam Passenger Trains: Late-1950s steam by Warren W. Scholl. Cincinnati area, plus extensive riding scenes, and even a cab ride. Historic action with streamlined Js (4-8-4s), and Ks (4-8-2s).


71 min. SD: $29.95


Rio Grande Standard Gauge Steam: Vintage steam with many classes of engines, and locations. Several photographers. Rare 1946-56 scenes. 38 min. SD: $29.95


CSX In The 90s: Former C&O, B&O, and Clinchfield routes. Variety of power and trains. 78 min. SD: $29.95


Union Pacific In The 90s: Action in Wyoming and Nebraska. Chase 6936 on a freight, Gibbon Junction, and more.


71 min. SD: $29.95


SD = Standard Definition / BR = Blu-Ray (Blu-Ray player required for BR discs)


Find Over 175 Titles Online! Send $2.00 for catalog • Free with DVD orders


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Shipping: U.S. $5 all orders Canada $10 for 1, $16 for 2-9 Overseas $14 for 1, $23 for 2-9


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Order online: www.GregSchollVideo.com


C&NWHS 2017 Calendar


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Features images from the Lou Schmitz and Joe Piersen col- lection. Key C&NW dates. 2018 calendar on the last page.


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