PAGE 12, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1984, WHITBY FREE PRESS F)mLEMTTERS TO THE DIT-OR Cabooses sf11l needed for safety, 'railwayuinsy Dear Sir: On behaif of the On- tario Legialative Com- mittee of the Canadian Railway Labour Association Who represents a great. number of ,railway workeÉs in this area and the Province of Ontario, we wish to respond to some recent news items concerning railway safety. Our committee wish to draw to your B O~iLD COUNTRY DELI& PARTY TRAYS SEE OUR MEN FOR SANDWICH, DAILY SPECIALS TRAYS s £ A BLACK FORE.ST HAM STEAK $3.49 LB LBORNE ST..FAL FOR FAST PICK-UP SERVICE CALL YOUR ORDERS IN ADVANCE 11COLBORN E ST, W., WH ITBY [ 666m3633 N reader's attention a grave and serions con- cern we have with regard - to railway safety. On April 12, 1984, CN Rail advised the United Transportation Union that they would begin to operate trains on Oct. 1, 1984 without a caboose on certain territories across Canada in- cluding the Province of Ontario. The railways would have you believe that the caboose is an ob- solete piece of railway equipment that is only used as a convenient place for thé conductor to do his paper work and to carry tools to do minor repairs. The men who mann these trains that the railways wish to operate without a caboose occupied by a train crew member feel this is a very unsafe and dangerous procedure. The trainman's position in the caboose is to provide the visual enroute inspection of the train from the rear; continually watching for signs of dragging equipment; provlding inspection of other trains that he meets or passes along the road, plus many other duties in compliance with the Uniform ,Code Of Operating Rules. For example, a 150 car train; which is not uncommon today; many of which are tran- sportîng highly dangerons toxic chemicals; have 8 wheels on each car for a total of 1200; each tur- ning at permissible speeds of up to 60 mph. The trainan in the caboose provides the visual inspection of the wheels, to enisure the safe operation of the train enroute. He is also in position in the caboose to im- mediately stop the train should any emergency arise; providing 'protec- tion for his train and TheoGa ns r One. shocks and springs like no one else, cause they've installed kthousands. of them before. i At Midas it takes a special breed to be a Top' Gun, that's why they're number one. MIDAS MUFFLER 1220 Dundas St. E. Whitby - 681085 other trains in case of an emergency or a derailinent. The railways would have us further believe that with new technology coupled with other technological innovations, such as end of train unit, hot-box and dragging e quip- ment detectors, the caboose and the train- man occupying it are no longer required to en- sure the safe operation of the train. We are not aware of any new or old technology or device which could or would replace the only remarning visual ini- spection of the train by the trainman from the rear of the train. If we are to believe the railway's new technology can replace visual inspection, then we must ail have a short memory about the hun- dreds of thousands of people who had to be evacuated; due to the Mississauga train derailment; or any other major train derailments in Canada. There ils hardy aday passes without reading in the- newspapers of major train derailments or accidents.' CN and CP Rail have already applied to the Railway Transport Committee of the Canadian Transport Commission seeking their approval for removal of the caboose fromf the rear of al freight trains and the repoeitioning of the rear trainman to a position on the locomotives. There is a law mi Canada, the Uniform Code of ,'Operating Rules, an order of the Canadian Transport Commission, which prohibits such an act and expressly requires a caboose on ail freigbt trains. This law would have to be changed before such an operation could be im- plimented. The public is entitled to know what serious and dangerous effects the operation Of cabooseless trains wil have on their towns, cities, homes and loved ones, and what they will be exposed to if the railways' are allowed permission from the Canadian Transport Commission to remove the caboose and reposition the rear trainman. Our committee feels that if the railways are successful in convincing the Canaclian Transport. Commission to give them their approval to modify, or relax and existing Uniform . Code of Operating Rules, without country. wide hearings, the safety of the citizens of the Province of Ontario and the rest of Canada will be in jeopardy. Sincerely, C.W. Ca rew EDITOR'S NOTE: C.W. Carew 1e the chafrman of the Ontario Legislative Committee of the Canadian Railway Labor Association. ABILITY FUND WORKING W1TH PHVSICALLY DISABLED ADULTS PHN*8 % SANDWICH 'FARM VICTORIA AND GREY TRUST COMPANY APPOINTM ENT JOHN F. BROMLEY W.HH Somnerville, PresIdent and Chief Executive Off ber of Victoria and Grey Trust Company, is pieased'to announce the appoîntment of Mr. John F. Bromley as Branch Manger of Whîltby off Ice. are To beaTop Gun atMidas Mufflershops, you've got to be good, and you've got to be fast The only way to get that wayîis with a lot of experience. And the Top Guns know how to r instail mufflers, brakes,~~- THE ic GumA MIDAS MUFFLER 227 Slmcoo St. W. Oshawa 576.8111 1 lýl