Getting Better with the Basics

This article describes how the railroad industry has a safety record that’s the envy of many other industries, yet when railroads think safety, they think continuous improvement. The most important element is a strong safety culture that is supported by training and technology. Talk of advanced technologies – positive train control (PTC), electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes, Genset locomotives, etc. – may dominate railroading today, by many basic safety appliances, day and day out, perform the often-unheralded yet vital task of protecting rail customers and their equipment.