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News Wire: Batory picked to lead FRA

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Posted by Brian Schmidt on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 8:30 AM

WASHINGTON – The Trump White House Monday announced Ronald L. Batory of New Jersey to be the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation. Batory has more than 45 years of diverse leadership in the railroad...

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/07/11-batory-to-lead-fra

Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine

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Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 10:37 AM

A guy that speaks and knows railroads.  Easier to get common sense regulation. Won't have to waste time playing "educate the regulator" game. Harder to "pull a fast one", though.  All good!

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by PNWRMNM on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 11:37 AM

Get a guy who knows and loves the business. What a concept!

 

I worked for Mr. Batory for a few months at the ill fated Chicago, Missouri and Western and found him to be both reasonable and a gentleman.

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Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, July 14, 2017 9:29 PM

Why do I keep thinking about the old saying of "putting the fox in charge of the hen house?"

Jeff

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Posted by Falcon48 on Monday, July 17, 2017 9:36 PM

jeffhergert

Why do I keep thinking about the old saying of "putting the fox in charge of the hen house?"

Jeff

 

The last two FRA administrators were Joe Szabo, a long time rail labor representative who saw his main role at FRA as pushing for regulations that furthered rail labor agendas, and Sarah Feinberg who, to my knowledge, didn't have much of a rail background.  A fox that at least understands what a hen house is and knows how it works will be welcome.  

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, July 27, 2017 10:33 AM

I would think that Batory has more than enough integrity to administer the FRA properly.  He turned around BRC and Conrail Shared Assets so he knows what is needed and how to do it.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by Norm48327 on Thursday, July 27, 2017 11:29 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH

I would think that Batory has more than enough integrity to administer the FRA properly.  He turned around BRC and Conrail Shared Assets so he knows what is needed and how to do it.

Integrity IMO is in the eye of the beholder. Do those on the left have more introspect into that than do those who lean right? I will not condmen either viewpoint.

Norm


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Posted by jsanchez on Friday, July 28, 2017 10:18 AM

Why is this a right or left issue, Battory started his railroad career as a union represented Brakeman and worked his way to the top. He has much experience working with Democrats and Republicans in New Jersey, he was involved with some of the biggest rail infrastucture improvements and expansion projects in modern times on Conrail Shared Assets , this required much cooperation with federal, state and local government leaders. I enjoyed talking to Mr. Battory about the re-opening of the abandoned Staten Island freight rail system, which has been a huge success. One thing I liked about Mr. Battory is that he enjoys talking with the rank and file railroaders and gets their input on things. Many Railroad executives totally ignore those who actually run trains and service customers. No matter what your political beliefs are this was a great choice by President Trump.

James Sanchez

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