Did You Know?

In the early years of railroading, brakemen jumped from car to car in all weather conditions to run the brake wheels of each car to stop the entire train. On passenger trains, one brakeman had the responsibility of tying down two cars. On freight trains, which might have five or six brakemen, each man had to tie down eight to ten cars. With the invention of air brakes in 1869 by George Westinghouse, the engineer could apply the brakes from the engine cab, making the brakeman’s job much easier and safer.

Source: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

NGFA and STC to Host Ag Transportation Summit

On Aug. 4-5, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) will host the second Ag Transportation Summit: “Transportation Capacity – Overcoming the Challenges.”

ILWU members approve 5-year labor contract

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said 82 percent of its members voted in favor of ratification.

Union Pacific furloughs more because of lower shipping volumes

Union Pacific Corp. has now furloughed a total of 900 employees and mothballed 800 locomotives because of lower shipping volumes, CEO Lance Fritz told the Wall Street Journal.

Nebraska lawmakers override veto of gas tax increase

Nebraska motorists will pay higher taxes at the gas pump to pay for road and bridge repairs, despite Gov. Pete Ricketts' objections.

Environmental report on Nicaragua Canal completed

HKND Group, the company planning to build a canal across Nicaragua in partnership with the country’s government, said an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report, completed by the British company Environmental Resources Management, was presented to the Nicaraguan government in Managua last week.