Highball - Fall 2005

As summer draws to a close and we start to cool down here in the Northeast, it’s time to prepare for our annual audit. Overall, 2005 has proven to be a good year. Our dues money is sufficient to handle claim benefits for our members and the investment revenue supports our administrative costs.

I’m sure you remember when we implemented greater discounts in January 2004 for our 6 and 12 month payers. Many of our members have taken advantage of those discounts, resulting in less dues income. There is no reason to become alarmed with this reduction as we anticipated it and maintain adequate reserves to support the activities of the “Fund.” As in the past, you will receive a financial report next March when proxy packets are sent to each active member.

The Code of Federal Regulations was sent to all members last month. We have received several inquiries from train service personnel asking why it was sent to them. The simple answer is that we sent it to all active members. We felt it better to send it to everyone to ensure that those who fall under the jurisdiction of Part 240 had one. If you don’t feel you have use for it, simply pass it on to someone who does.

We are preparing our annual calendar which will be mailed in early November. Please make sure we have a good address for you.

Please also make sure that your survivors are aware of the AD&D benefit that you have as a BR&CF active member. In the past we have received telephone calls months after the fact advising us of the loss of a spouse and seeking information on how to cancel membership. It certainly makes things easier for those left behind if they are informed.

As railroaders, we are subject daily to the hazards of our occupations. Working safely becomes second nature and whether we think we’re invincible or not, accidents happen. A good idea is to write on a 3 x 5 card the names of everyone who should be contacted if something should happen to you.

Membership is on the rise. We certainly appreciate the efforts of our Terminal Presidents and Obtainers who have done a great job for us during the past year. Thank you.

Coupon booklets will be mailed to monthly payers and all active members will be sent a BR&CF wall calendar. Watch for yours, and don’t forget to send us a change of address if you are moving or have recently moved!

If you are the parent of a child who has just entered his or her senior year of high school, or a child 27 years of age or younger who is already enrolled in college, you will be pleased to learn that the 2006 Luther G. Smith Scholarship Program is about to commence.

Luther G. Smith Scholarship winners may receive financial assistance through this program until they achieve the degree level sought at the time of the initial scholarship award, not to exceed four years. To continue to be eligible, the recipient must remain a full-time student in an accredited post-secondary school and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. The sponsoring BR&CF parent must be an active member of the BR&CF “In Good and Regular Standing.”

Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements outlined in the “Clip and Save” Reference Guide. Then complete and mail us the form printed on the back of your newsletter, contact us by phone or simply send us an e-mail requesting a scholarship application. Be sure to provide all pertinent information, including your name, member number, address, telephone number and e-mail address. The application will be sent to you by first class mail.

Parents, please note that in order for your child to be considered for a scholarship award, all parts of the application must be completed in entirety. This is very important because applications are thoroughly evaluated by the Scholarship Committee, and scholarships are awarded to the most deserving students based on their submissions.

The deadline for submitting applications and all supporting documentation is March 1, 2006. Applications received after the March 1, 2006 deadline will not be considered.

U.S. and Canadian members may use VISA and MASTERCARD to pay BR&CF Dues. U.S. members may also pay by AMERICAN EXPRESS OR DISCOVER.

Congratulations go out to Robert Bye, of Custer, South Dakota, who landed the Grand Prize of $300 in the 2005 BR&CF Photo Contest. Brother Bye won the coveted prize with his photograph of a diesel locomotive and a steam engine as they appear to be racing west of Sidney, Nebraska. In addition to being awarded a $300 cash prize, Brother Bye will see his work reproduced in the 2006 BR&CF wall calendar, along with photo credits.

Our congratulations also go out to the other winners whose names are listed below. They have each been mailed a check for $150 and will also have the honor of seeing their winning photographs reproduced in the calendar, along with photo credits. We think you will agree that they have done a fine job when you see their winning shots in the 2006 wall calendar.

Sincere thanks to all those members who participated in this friendly competition! Your continued interest enables us to publish the annual wall calendar which goes out to our members in November. Watch for yours to arrive in the mail.

Discipline Can Be Costly! Sampling of Recent Discipline Assessed by Railroads to Some of Our Members. Fortunately, These Members Were Shielded by BR&CF Job Income Protection.
Railroad:	Occurrence:	Discipline Assessed:
BNSF	Failed to Comply With Requirements of Stop Signal	30 Days
NS	Passed Signal	Dismissed
AMT	Exceeded Maximum Authorized Speed	30 Days
NS	Made a Reverse Movement in an Interlocking and Moving Train Without Permission	17 Days
NS	Failed to Comply With Signal Resulting in Collision	30 Days
UP	Occupied Section of Main Track Without Permission; Not on Designated Radio Channel	30 Days
UP	Failed to Control Speed	30 Days
NS	Passed Stop Signal	28 Days
UP	Failed to Stop for Dark Signal	15 Days
UP	Failed to Comply with Instructions; Did Not Have Authority to Occupy Main Track	22 Days
BNSF	Failed to Conduct Proper Air Brake Test Causing On-Track Collision	37 Days
UP	Failed to Receive Authority to Pass Signal	180 Days
CSX	Failed to Check for Sufficient Hand Brakes	15 Days
CSX	Derailment	Dismissed
AMT	Failed to Control Movement of Train; Did Not Make Radio Announcement That Train Was in Emergency; Did Not Perform Running Brake Test	32 Days
UP	By Red Flag; Occupying Main Track Without Authority	31 Days
BNSF	Occupying Main Track Without Authority; Failure to Protect; Making Reverse Move Without Authority	Dismissed