ASLRRA recognizes eastern short lines' safety efforts in 2018

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) earlier this week presented five railroads with President's Awards to recognize their outstanding safety performance in 2018.

The awards were presented during ASLRRA's annual Eastern Region meeting, which was held Oct. 7-9 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road Co. (CUOH) was honored for most hours of injury-free operation. Acquired by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) in 2008, CUOH operates 277 miles of track in Ohio and interchanges with CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway, the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co., Ohio Central Railroad and Ohio Southern Railroad.

The ASLRRA also recognized the following short lines for the best safety rates in their respective categories: Union Railroad Co., more than 500,000 man-hours; Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (which also is owned by G&W), 250,000 to 500,000 man-hours; Winchester & Western Railroad Co., 50,000 to 150,000 man-hours; and Tradepoint Rail, less than 50,000 man-hours.

"Their impressive performance, with either zero reportable accidents or the best safety rate below the industry average per man-hour of operations, has led the way to record levels of safety performance for the short-line industry," said ASLRRA President Chuck Baker in the association's "Views & News" newsletter issued Oct. 9.