I have been reading about PTC from a variety of sources. Most of it deals with the logistics of implementation, the time line of installation and the vast amounts of money this technology is going to cost, etc. There has not been much comment on the need for proactive PTC training for the onboard train crews.

And now this technology is about to be implemented with the promise that it will make the railroad a safer place to work. I am not trying to downplay PTC. As a matter of fact, I think that PTC ranks right up there with air brakes, block signals and radios for safety. I would like to see a PTC training program put in place, early on, so that train crews and others would have the best chance of understanding this new technology before it becomes mission critical.