Description
This Railroad operations and safety expert has more than forty years of experience in the railroad industry in the areas of railroad safety, operating practices, and mechanical matters. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University at Sacramento, CA in Business Administration, and hold current federal certification as a locomotive engineer.
During his career he has held a variety of positions including switchman, brakeman, conductor, certified locomotive engineer, assistant trainmaster, certified designated supervisor of locomotive engineers, director of locomotive engineer training, director of safety, director of security, assistant chief mechanical officer, chief mechanical officer, superintendent, and assistant vice president of operations planning and analysis.
Since becoming a railroad consultant in 2000, He has provided a range of consulting services to clients to include training, safety audits, equipment inspections, locomotive event recorder analysis, locomotive video analysis, and railroad accident/incident inspections and investigations. He has also provided expert witness services in litigated matters for dozens of clients over the years, to include material review and analysis, site and equipment inspections, report preparation, as well as deposition and trial testimony. Cases he has worked on have involved grade crossing collisions, derailments, rail equipment accidents, trespasser/pedestrian incidents, as well as incidents involving injuries to railroad employees and 3rd parties.
During his career he has operated thousands of trains under the varied conditions found throughout the United States. As a railroad officer he has trained, supervised and qualified hundreds of train service employees including conductors, locomotive engineers, and operations supervisors. He has also developed, implemented and managed numerous railroad safety and rule programs including locomotive engineer certification programs 49 CFR Part 240. He has investigated hundreds of railroad accidents and incidents and has been qualified as an expert witness in the areas of railroad safety, training, operating practices, and mechanical matters including train stopping distance, locomotive event recorder data analysis and locomotive video analysis in numerous federal and state courts.
He is a member of several professional organizations including the Air Brake Association, the International Association of Railway Operating Officers, and the American Association of Railroad Superintendents. He is also a past member of the Chicago Rail Carriers Association, The Car Department Officers Association CDOA, the Locomotive Maintenance Officer’s’ Association LMOA, and have participated in several national projects including the Federal Railroad Administration FRA Power Brake Railroad Safety Advisory Committee RSAC, and FRA Dynamic Brake Task Force. He is also familiar with the requirements of federal regulations governing railroad operations as contained in 49 CFR Parts 200-299.
Academic Background
- 1979-1980 B.S Business Administration, California State University, Sacramento, CA Note CA college work done while on GI Bill Leave of Absence from BN
- 1978 Graduated from the Burlington Northern Railroad Locomotive Engineer Training Program and promoted to Locomotive Engineer
- 1976-1977 Attended University of Montana, Missoula, MT
- 1975 Graduated, Sacramento City College, AA Degree
Training and Seminars
- July 2021, Montana Rail Link, Inc., Missoula, MT: Locomotive Engineer Recertification training and testing on the General Code of Operating Rules GCOR, Air Brake and Train Handling Rules, Safety Rules, U.S. Rail Security Awareness Guidelines, U.S. Hazardous Materials Instructions for Rail, Remote Control Locomotive Operations RCO, Distributed Power Operations DPU, Physical Characteristics of the Railroad, and pertinent Federal Regulations in 49 CFR Parts 200-299. Conductor Recertification Training in accordance with 49 CFR Part 242. Federally certified as a Train Service Locomotive Engineer and Instructor Engineer in accordance with 49 CFR Part 240.
- April 2018, Montana Rail Link, Inc., Missoula, MT: Locomotive Engineer Recertification training and testing on the General Code of Operating Rules GCOR, Air Brake and Train Handling Rules, Safety Rules, U.S. Rail Security Awareness Guidelines, U.S. Hazardous Materials Instructions for Rail, Remote Control Locomotive Operations RCO, Distributed Power Operations DPU, Physical Characteristics of the Railroad, and pertinent Federal Regulations in 49 CFR Parts 200-299. Conductor Recertification Training in accordance with 49 CFR Part 242. Federally certified as a Train Service Locomotive Engineer and Instructor Engineer in accordance with 49 CFR Part 240.
- May 2015, Montana Rail Link, Inc., Missoula, MT: Locomotive Engineer Recertification training and testing on the General Code of Operating Rules GCOR, Air Brake and Train Handling Rules, Safety Rules, U.S. Rail Security Awareness Guidelines, U.S. Hazardous Materials Instructions for Rail, Remote Control Locomotive Operations RCO, Distributed Power Operations DPU, Physical Characteristics of the Railroad, and pertinent Federal Regulations in 49 CFR Parts 200-299. Conductor Recertification Training in accordance with 49 CFR Part 242. Federally certified as a Train Service Locomotive Engineer and Instructor Engineer in accordance with 49 CFR Part 240.
- November 2012, Montana Rail Link, Inc., Missoula, MT: Locomotive Engineer Recertification Training on the General Code of Operating Rules GCOR, Air Brake and Train Handling Rules, Safety Rules, U.S. Hazardous Materials Instructions for Rail, Remote Control Locomotive Operations RCO, Distributed Power Operations DPU, Physical Characteristics of the Railroad, and Pertinent Federal Regulations in 49 CFR 200-299.
- October 2011, Canadian National Railway US, Flat Rock, MI: Training class on the Operating Rules, Safety Rules, Air Brake and Train Handling Rules, and Hazardous Materials Regulations.
- July 2002, Quantum Engineering, Inc., Orange Park, FL: Training class on event recorder data analysis and operation of QDP Software.
Professional Experience
- RTI Group, LLC Stevensville, MD
Railroad Expert 2023-Present
Provide clients with timely and accurate analysis of railroad operational issues. Provide training in railroad safety, rules, and operating practices including engineer training. Conduct operational and safety audits. Provide locomotive event recorder and locomotive video analysis. Provide services as a consulting and/or testifying expert in railroad mechanical, operating, and engineering disciplines. Provide technical consulting support from accident/incident response through case analysis and report preparation including consulting and/or testifying expert witness services if requested.
- Consulting Associates, LLC Medford, OR Railroad Consultant 2017-Present
Provide clients with timely and accurate analysis of railroad operational issues. Provide training in railroad safety, rules, and operating practices including engineer training. Conduct operational and safety audits. Provide locomotive event recorder and locomotive video analysis. Provide services as a consulting and/or testifying expert in railroad mechanical, operating, and engineering disciplines. Provide technical consulting support from accident/incident response through case analysis and report preparation including consulting and/or testifying expert witness services if requested.
- Dennin, Heikkila, & Associates, LLC Peachtree City, GA
Senior Vice President 2015-2017
Provide clients with timely and accurate analysis of railroad operational issues. Provide training in railroad safety, rules, and operating practices including engineer training. Conduct operational and safety audits. Provide locomotive event recorder and locomotive video analysis. Provide services as a consulting and/or testifying expert in railroad mechanical, operating, and engineering disciplines. Provide technical consulting support from accident/incident response through case analysis and report preparation including consulting and/or testifying expert witness services if requested.
- Full Service Railroad Consulting, Inc. Peachtree City, GA Partner 2002-2015
Provide clients with timely and accurate analysis of railroad operational issues. Provide training in railroad safety, rules, and operating practices including engineer training. Conduct operational and safety audits. Provide locomotive event recorder and locomotive video analysis. Provide services as a consulting and/or testifying expert in railroad mechanical, operating, and engineering disciplines. Provide technical consulting support from accident/incident response through case analysis and report preparation including consulting and/or testifying expert witness services if requested.
- Rail Sciences Inc. Atlanta, GA Assistant Vice President of Operations, Planning, and Analysis 2000-2002
Responsible for the use and application of advanced analytical techniques for the solution of railway operational problems. Performed accident and derailment investigations, railroad operational and safety studies, mechanical inspections, physical testing, and railroad training. Performed field investigations of crossing collisions and derailments. Analyzed locomotive event recorder data and train stopping distance. Provided consulting and testifying expert witness services in numerous railroad lawsuits involving trespasser incidents, grade crossing collisions, and employee injuries.
- I&M Rail Link, LLC Davenport, IA
Superintendent of Operations 1997-2000
Responsible for the supervision and management of the operations department of the railroad including classification yard and over the road train operations. Initial territory included the Southern Division between Chicago, IL and Kansas City, MO. Territory was expanded to include the entire railroad after January of 2000 including 1100 miles of main line and approximately 350 employees. Certified Train Service Locomotive Engineer and Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers (DSLE) in accordance with 49 CFR Part 240.
- Montana Rail Link, Inc. Missoula, MT
Chief Mechanical Officer January 1997 – December 1997
Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer November 1994 – January 1997
Responsible for the supervision and management of the mechanical department which included 200 employees, 3 rail car and locomotive repair shops, approximately 125 locomotives and 1800 rail cars. Also responsible for the inspection, testing, and repair of rail cars handled in interchange across the railroad.
Director, Training, Rules & Safety Department January 1990 – November 1994
and Director of Security
Responsible for the training and safety of all operating crafts system wide at MRL, as well as the security needs of the railroad. Developed implemented and managed the locomotive engineer certification program, operations testing program, rules training and testing programs. Developed, implemented, and managed the drug and alcohol testing program for the railroad. Certified Train Service Locomotive Engineer and Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers (DSLE) in accordance with 49 CFR Part 240. Developed and implemented airbrake and train handling rules. Developed cold weather training program for extreme operating conditions in mountain grade territories. Served as corporate manager of the FRA Safety Assurance and Compliance Program (SACP).
Director of Locomotive Engineer Training October 1989 – January 1990
Directed and managed the locomotive engineer training program for the MRL system.
- Burlington Northern Railroad Various Locations
Asst. Manager Locomotive Engineer Training January 1988 – October 1989
Overland Park, KS
Trained and qualified locomotive engineers for the Burlington Northern Railroad system wide. Developed, implemented, and managed locomotive engineer training programs including General Code of Operating Rules, General Safety Rules, Airbrake and Train Handling Rules, and applicable federal regulations. Trained and tested employees using locomotive simulators, including the IITRI TS2 and TS3 models.
Assistant Trainmaster, Spokane, WA February 1987– January 1988
Responsible for the field supervision of train and yard crews of the Spokane Division. Provided instruction on the General Code of Operating Rules, General Safety Rules, Airbrake and Train Handling Rules, and applicable federal regulations to operating employees. Performed locomotive event recorder analysis. Conducted operations tests throughout the Division. Investigated crossing collisions, derailments, and other railroad incidents including rules infractions and employee injuries.
Railroad Operations May 1969 – February 1987
- Locomotive Engineer, Whitefish, MT 3/85-2/87
Operated freight and passenger trains over the main line mountain grade corridor between Whitefish, MT and Havre, MT and between Whitefish, MT and Spokane, WA.
- Locomotive Engineer, Missoula, MT 11/84 -3/85 Operated freight and passenger trains over the main line mountain grade corridor and branch lines between Missoula, MT and Helena, MT, Missoula, MT and Butte, MT, and between Missoula, MT and Spokane, WA.
- Special Representative for the International President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers BLE , Western USA 8/84-11/84 Represented the International President of the BLE on all railroad properties west of the Mississippi River. Attended Division meetings and performed liaison and membership recruitment duties on behalf of the International Office.
- Locomotive Engineer, Whitefish, MT 6/82-8/84
- Locomotive Engineer, Missoula, MT 2/78-6/82
- Switchman, Brakeman, Conductor, Missoula, MT 7/76-2/78
- Railroad leave of absence granted for enlistment in USMC (Honorable discharge Corporal, E-4). 1/70-1/72
- Switchman, Brakeman, Missoula, MT 5/69-7/76
Professional Activities
- 1997-2000 Member, Safety Committee, American Shortline and Regional Railroad Association
- 1997-2000 Alternate Member, Federal Railroad Administration FRA Railroad Safety Advisory Committee RSAC
- 1997-2000 Member, Chicago Rail Carriers Association
- 1996 Member, Superintendents’ Association of Kansas City
- 1996 Member, FRA-RSAC Power Brake Working Committee
- 1997 Member, FRA-RSAC Dynamic Brake Task Force
- 1993-1997 Member, Locomotive Maintenance Officers Association LMOA
- 1991-Present Member, American Association of Railroad Superintendents
- 1988-Present Member, Air Brake Association
- 1988-1997 Member, Montana Operation Lifesaver, Board member in 1990
- 1987-Present, International Association of Railway Operating Officers, Past Vice President
- 1982-1987 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Division 499, Whitefish, MT
- 1978-1982 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Division 262, Missoula, MT
- 1969-1978 United Transportation Union #978 T/C, Missoula, MT
Military Service
- 1970 – 1976 U.S. Marine Corps – Honorable Discharge, Corporal E-4 2 years of active duty while on leave of absence from railroad