Public Safety Advisory

UNMANNED LOCOMOTIVES:

A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Demands Safe Train Operations In The Twin-Cities Area

…And You, The Public, Should Demand Safe Train Operations As Well!

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers is warning Twin-Cities residents of the potential dangers associated with Remote Controlled Train Operations, - (locomotives operating without qualified and experienced Locomotive Engineers on board and being controlled from a remote location by insufficiently trained and inexperienced railroad employees.

Union Pacific and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroads are currently implementing remote control operations at many of their major switching terminals across the country. Already at the U.P. Des Moines, Iowa, Hinkle (Hermiston, OR) and Kansas City classification yards the railroad has experienced numerous accidents since implementing this new program.

The Department of Transportation issued a warning on May 25 about possible terrorism attacks on the nations railroads.  Union Pacific and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroads are major transporters of nuclear waste, hazardous materials and deadly chemicals. And while the airlines and airports are increasing security by placing trained professionals in airports and on airplanes, UP and BNSF are taking skilled Federally Certified Locomotive Engineers off trains in the Twin-Cities area in order to run trains by remote control.

Dennis Pierce a spokesman for the BLE has stated, "Everyone who shares an interest in the safe and efficient operations of this nations railroads has an obligation to educate themselves with regards to Remote Control Technology".

We ask that you the public contact your elected representatives to inform them of your safety concerns.

For information regarding RCO related accidents visit our website at: www.remoteinfo.org