HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 105

(By Delegate Swartzmiller)

Urging Congress to pass the Safe Freight Act as contained in H. R. 3040 providing that a freight train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight have at least two individuals, one of whom is certified as a locomotive engineer and the other who is certified as a conductor.

    Whereas, The freight rail system in West Virginia represents a significant component of the transportation infrastructure of the state and is vital to the support of the economy in mining, manufacturing and agriculture; and

    Whereas, The West Virginia rail system is comprised of two Class I railroads and eleven short line or regional railroads. The system contains 2,401 route miles of track. CSX Transportation is West Virginia's largest carrier with 1,113 route miles of track. Norfolk Southern is next in size with 801 route miles of track. Short lines and Regional roads make up the remaining 487 route miles of track; and

    Whereas, Freight trains which can be up to two miles long and may carry millions of pounds of freight require adequate crew members for safe operation; and

    Whereas, On July 6, 2013, a runaway freight train tragically derailed and exploded, killing 47 people in the Canadian province of Quebec, partially due to the fact that the single-crew member for that train was unable to properly secure the cars to prevent the runaway. Rail system safety has a heightened priority after recent events and is a priority for both rail carriers and government agencies due to the potential impact of freight train related accidents on the general public and the efficiency of rail operations; and

    Whereas, H. R. 3040, the Safe Freight Act, is pending in Congress and would simply require a freight train crew to consist of at least two individual. Staffing a freight train with a certified conductor and a certified engineer would continue to provide safe grade crossings, sustain efficient operations and provide proper and adequate securement capabilities; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That Congress is urged to pass the Safe Freight Act as contained in H. R. 3040 providing that a freight train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight have at least two individuals, one of whom is certified as a locomotive engineer and the other who is certified as a conductor; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the West Virginia delegation to the Congress of the United States.