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Norfolk Southern dedicates monument in honor of deceased employee |
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 VALDOSTA, Ga. — Norfolk Southern of Valdosta paid tribute to an outstanding employee who died last year during a dedication ceremony Wednesday.
During the ceremony, a monument was displayed in memory of Melvin Garland, who died May 13, 2008. Garland passed away of a terminal illness, just two months short of his 30-year anniversary with the company. He served as a mechanical carman at Norfolk Southern.
“In his life, Melvin had two sets of rules he followed,” said fellow mechanical carman Joe Brady. “He followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the Norfolk Southern operating rules. He fulfilled both of those to the fullest extent.”
At last year’s annual safety caravan, Norfolk Southern employees decided to plan a dedication for Garland, particularly since he was known to always follow safety guidelines.
The monument, called the Melvin Garland Safety Pavilion, now sits outside of Langdale Yard, located at Norfolk Southern on South Fry Street.
Garland’s family was out of town and unable to attend the ceremony, Brady said. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 May 2025 22:51 )
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BNSF sends crews to Wyoming, Montana for track improvements |
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Written by BNSF.com
Friday, 15 May 2025 00:00 |
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 FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Company is sending two maintenance of way crews to Wyoming and Montana in mid-May to replace more than 150,000 ties and almost 35 track miles of rail between Casper, Wyo., and Silesia, Mont. The project is expected to be completed by September and will cost about $15 million.
"Expanding and maintaining our infrastructure along this stretch of track and throughout the system not only allows us to provide customers with efficient and reliable rail service but it also benefits the overall efficiency of American's supply chain," said Dave Freeman, BNSF vice president, Engineering.
In addition, BNSF will send four maintenance of way crews to begin undercutting track (the removal, repair and replacement of ballast) and replacing ties and rail on BNSF's mainline between Custer and Glendive, Mont. The crews are expected to begin work in June to undercut six miles of track, replace more than 75,000 ties and lay approximately 22 track miles of rail.
"Our rail lines in Montana are essential for Montana farmers and America's wheat harvest. Almost 150,000 bushels of grain came out of the state via our tracks last year," Freeman said. "We make it a priority to keep those tracks in excellent condition."
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 May 2025 22:45 )
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NTSB, FRA probe UTU member death |
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 BETHLEHEM, N.Y. — A investigation into the death of a UTU member who was killed working at the CSX railyard in Selkirk is underway, the Daily Mail reports.
According to Bob Sullivan, a CSX spokesman, investigators are working to uncover the circumstances that led to the death of 33-year-old Jared C. Boehlke.
Boehlke died after being hit by a train in the CSX Selkirk railyard just before 7 p.m. on Sunday.
“We’re investigating,” said Sullivan. “We’re working with the Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, the Bethlehem Police Department and the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the circumstances and cause of the accident.”
Sullivan added that they were going to “let the investigation run its course and get a sound idea” before speculating as how to the accident happened.
According to a NTSB spokesman, Investigator Ed Dobranetski was dispatched Monday morning to make a report of the incident.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 May 2025 22:51 )
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The great locomotive chase |
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KALISPELL, Mont. — The news is that Burlington Northern Santa Fe has been trying to buy property in Whitefish’s “Railway District.” Residents responded by hiring jet-setting tort attorney Cliff Edwards, who has a proven track record of chasing not only ambulances, but locomotives, too.
BNSF has been hit with judgments for pollution in Havre and Livingston, which both have large locomotive maintenance shops. Edwards’ firm was plaintiffs’ counsel in Livingston, winning its share of a $14.5 million settlement.
Now, pollution has a cause, and those responsible should be held liable for the actual impacts of their actions, right?
BNSF’s problems in Whitefish stem from decades of sloppy locomotive fueling and servicing, both at the roundhouse and in front of the Depot. The spills created good-sized underground plumes of solvents and diesel fuel, centered on the roundhouse and Whitefish Depot. BNSF responded by cleaning up its act and is pumping down the plumes, which for now have stayed on BNSF property. Neither have presented significant public health impacts.
So why is BNSF suddenly so interested in buying up the Railway District?
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 May 2025 22:45 )
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