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2/23/2023
The short-line industry recently lost a longtime and widely respected contributor. David Buccolo, the former general manager of Central California Traction Co. and a Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) hazardous materials instructor, died Feb. 15 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.
Buccolo served the rail industry for 51 years, first as a trainman and yardmaster for the Chicago & North Western Railroad in South Dakota. He later held operations, safety and hazmat training and response positions with four Class Is, then worked in various posts for short lines located in Kansas, Indiana and Texas.
Buccolo was general manager of Central California Traction for many years and retired in 2016. The short line operates two branch lines and interchanges with BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad.
Buccolo remained active in the rail industry after retiring. He was an integral part of the SLSI, serving as an assessor in the institute's early days. He was also a principal author of the grant proposal that helps fund SLSI's hazmat training program and was a hazmat trainer, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) officials said in the organization's Feb. 22 newletter. In addition, Buccolo moved the SLSI Safety Train to various training events.
He also served on ASLRRA’s Safety and Training Committee, which he chaired from 2000 to 2002.
"Dave was an expert railroader with a very diverse knowledge of transportation, mechanical, engineering, hazmat, and safety and compliance," said ASLRRA Vice President of Safety and Compliance JR Gelnar, who worked closely with Buccolo. "He was very unselfish and giving of his time and knowledge, especially to the smallest of the short lines. He was a gentle giant among men, which the short-line industry will dearly miss."
In addition to his SLSI responsibilities, Buccolo was a member of the Transportation Community Awareness Emergency Response program's national task group executive committee.
Buccolo is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marie, three children and several grandchildren.