Category Archives: Carmen Division

FRA Denies AAR Waiver Request to Avoid Brake Inspections and Tests Performed By TCU/IAM Carmen

The American Association of Railroads (AAR) requested a waiver for UP trains to use the data from wayside detectors as a means to avoid the required air brake inspections and tests that TCU Carmen do. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently sent a denial of that waiver request. TCU Vice-President and Carmen General President Rich

Read More

TCU/IAM Carmen Division President Rich Johnson Testifies Before the FRA on AAR Brake Test Waiver Request

TCU continually reports: the Association of American Railroads (AAR) seeks a test waiver from performing Class IA brake tests on designated UP trains in the Wyoming Powder River Basin. The current federal rule states that each train shall receive a Class IA brake test, performed by a qualified person, at a location that is not

Read More

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Urges Railroad Industry to Bolster Oil Train Safety

After the recent explosions by tanker cars carrying crude oil from North Dakota’s Bakken region, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx issued a “call to action” by railroads, the oil industry and ethanol producers to work with the department to ensure their products are safely transported by rail. “We’ve got to work with them to make sure we’re listening

Read More

TCU/IAM Carmen Division files request to the FRA for Public Hearing of UP Request to Discontinue Brake Tests on Trains in the Powder River Basin

The Brotherhood Railway Carmen Division, TCU/IAM (BRC) requested that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) schedule a public hearing regarding the request by Union Pacific Railroad (UP) in the Powder River Basin to discontinue performing brake tests on designated trains due to the use of wayside detection technology. This is the second time UP has attempted

Read More

Carmen Division Opposes Two Recently Filed Petitions for Waiver

The Illinois Central Railroad seeks a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Regulations regarding Class IA brake tests. The Carrier wants to create a hybrid of the different mileage requirements for cycle trains and extended haul trains. TCU/IAM Carman Division has submitted comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requesting

Read More