Bill That Would Require Two-Person Freight Train Crews Advances

Freight trains would have to have at least two crew members while traveling through Nebraska under a bill by State Senator Mike Jacobson.  “Two person crews could play a major role in helping to prevent potential accidents or derailments as well as allowing potential problems to be addressed while an individual remains in the cab.”

Jacobson says requiring a conductor to be on board trains would provide a second set of eyes that would help detect safety problems.  “Engineers have to stay in the the cab under all circumstances and often must be there up to 12 hours with no breaks and no cell phones.”

Railroads have sought one-man crews for years as a cost-cutting measure.  Jacobson says says conductors can get off the train and do inspections while communicating with dispatchers and the engineers.

Jacobson says this past year the Federal Railroad Administration conducted a surprise inspection at Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard in his hometown of North Platte and found double the normal safety violations.