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Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers June 4 conducted informational pickets in Kansas City, Mo., to protest Union Pacific Railroad's use of locomotive remote controls (LRCs).
BLE members claim a UP remote-controlled train recently derailed in Kansas City shortly after the Class I began using LRCs, according to a statement issued June 7.
Union members also cited other recent UP remote-control incidents at Des Moines, Iowa, and Hinkle, Ore., yards.
"Because UP is a major transporter of nuclear waste, hazardous materials and deadly chemicals, the BLE feels it is imperative that the public be made aware of potential safety issues created by the implementation of remote-control operations," BLE said in a written statement.
BLE officials believe UP should have federally certified locomotive
engineers operate LRCs.