A federal judge in Florida issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on July 15 barring thousands of CSX railway workers, represented by SMART-TD, from engaging in any strike, work stoppage, slowdown or sickout over the company’s new attendance policy—and ordered the union to discipline any member who defied the ban. The five-day TRO expired on July 20, after SMART-TD had complied with its orders.

The TRO, issued by Judge Wendy W. Berger of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, came in response to an emergency motion filed by CSX Transportation after SMART-TD indicated its opposition to System Notice 502, a June 30 policy update that dramatically narrows workers’ ability to take medically necessary absences without facing termination. CSX workers have written to the World Socialist Web Site confirming that their locals have been polled on strike action and approved it near-unanimously, indicating overwhelming rank-and-file support for a walkout.

No strike had been called, though the union’s general committees had formally objected that the Notice constituted “an unlawful unilateral modification of the parties’ Collective Bargaining Agreement in violation of the Railway Labor Act.” When CSX demanded assurances that operations would not be disrupted, SMART-TD union officials pledged to “use every lawful means available to preserve the negotiated status quo.”

I've been a conductor for a bit over a year, in that time I've already known 3 older coworkers that got diagnosed with lung cancer and 1 that got diagnosed with Parkinsons, both of which are strongly linked with extended exposure to diesel fumes.

I actually enjoy my job and could see myself retiring with the railroad, but I have started becoming increasingly concerned about how staying here longterm will effect my health. Does anyone here use any kind of air filter/respirator/mask, or know anyone that does? I've never seen anyone using one and have a strong feeling I'd be mocked to death by every engineer I work with for even bringing it up

ISO/LTB - In search of Toy / Model Trains & Real Railroading related Music & Sound Effect Cassettes

Howdy all, does anyone have, or know someone that would have any old model railroading/toy train & real train cassettes, & or general physical media they would be open to part with, trade, & or sell?

I am in search of, & or looking to buy any cassettes about model railroading/toy trains, & real trains not only for my own collection to digitally preserve & archive, but also for a film project I've been working on for a few years.

Above are some examples of what I am looking for, & are for reference ONLY.

I'm mostly looking for any tapes produced by QSI, TCA, TTOS, Kalmbach, TM Books & Video, Pentrex, Sunday River Productions, Interurban Press/Productions, Green Frog Productions, Madacy Entertainment, etc.

Other media of interest would be but is not limited to:

-VHS

-Betamax (Beta)

-DVD/DVD-ROM (Video & or software)

-CD (Video, music/sfx, & or software)

-Vinyl (Music/sfx)

-Catalogs/Magazines
(Mostly Mail Order catalogs from media publishers, as I have a ton of hobby train product catalogs already. But I am always looking to complete my collection so if you have something still reach out)

If you have any similar cassettes to what I'm showing in my photos, from any of the publishers listed above, & or similar physical media, please reply, & or dm me!

Thank you for your time! -PB02

I recently saw the local shortline geep fiddling around in the yard with a single car on its long hood end, a string of ~12 cars on its short hood end, and a conductor riding the end of the sting. Are there any FRA/union/company regulations related to running with cars at each end of your power? Not trying to bust anyone’s balls, since I guess it’s no different than running MU. More curious from a modeling perspective.