Credentials And Expertise
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CURRICULUM VITAE (9-07) CHARLES L. CULVER CHARLES L. CULVER & ASSOCIATES, LLP RAILROAD OPERATIONS CONSULTANT 17625 El Camino Real, Suite 395 Houston, Texas 77058 Tel. (281) 486-1859 Fax (281) 486-2014 E-Mail: smokey@railops.com |
Charles L. Culver is a railroad operations consultant with expertise in train handling, rules interpretation, event recorder data interpretation, and railroad industry practice. Clients include both plaintiff and defense firms who seek assistance for incidents involving freight trains, passenger trains, and railroad employees. Clients also represent major railroads, short lines, trucking firms, insurance companies and federal/state/local government.
CONSULTATION/EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY- Deposition and Trial Testimony in Federal and District Courts in Litigation of Railroad Crossing Accidents, FELA, Derailments, Personal Injuries and Property Damage for Both Plaintiff and Defense Counsel
- Expert Testimony in Areas of Railroad Operations, Railroad Rules and Federal Regulations, Train Handling, Air Brake Operation, Event Recorder Data Interpretation and Industry Practice
- Has Testified in Arbitration: Transport Workers Union Local 100 v. MTA/New York City Transit re: Proposed Operating Rules Changes
- Special Focus on Train Handling and Crossing Evaluation from Operations Standpoint
- Special Focus on Inspections of Locomotives and Equipment, Railroad Yards and Other Accident Sites
- Accident Reconstruction Support through Interpretation of Event Recorder Data, Railroad Records and Documents and Execution of Software Based Train Event Simulators
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS and QUALIFICATIONS
- Former federally certified locomotive engineer
- Qualified Through Training as Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers:
Qualified via BNSF Academy of Railroad Sciences per requirements of 49CFR Part 240 As Follows:- Knows and understands the requirements of this part;
- Can appropriately test and evaluate the knowledge and skills of locomotive engineers;
- Has the necessary supervisory experience to prescribe appropriate remedial action for any noted deficiencies in the training, knowledge, or skills of a person seeking to obtain or retain certification; and
- Is a certified engineer
- Qualified Instructor of General Code of Operating Rules
- Qualified Instructor of Air Brake and Signal Appliance Equipment
- Qualified Instructor of Safety and Radio Rules Pertaining to Operating Department
- Qualified in Hostler Certification (Brakemen/Conductors Certified to Operate Locomotives)
- Has been trained by Texas Safety Association as Operation Lifesaver* Presenter (1984)
RAILROAD OPERATIONS EXPERIENCE
- 25 Year Career with Union Pacific (Formerly Missouri Pacific) Railroad as Locomotive Fireman/Engineer, Handling All types of Freight, Yard, Passenger and simulator Equipment Under Various Terrain and Weather Conditions
- Technical Training Instructor for Union Pacific Railroad
- Locomotive Operation
- Hostler Certification Instruction
- Conductor Work Order Implementation
- ATCS On-Board Computer Operation
- Rules and Safety Training for Newly Hired Train Service Employees
- Delegated by Missouri Pacific/Union Pacific for Special Assignments:
- Engineer Special Passenger Train for Railroad Tour for Upper Management Personnel of Dow and Monsanto Chemical Companies
- Liaison for Railroad to Consult with City, County and State Law Enforcement Agencies and City Government Officials Regarding Grade Crossing Safety
- Critical Incident Peer Support Program Representative
- Has been certified by Union Pacific Railroad as Operation Lifesaver* Presenter (1985) with Focus in the Following Areas:
- Crossing Safety Programs for Trucking Companies
- Public Relations, Radio and Television PSA Production, Public Speaking
- Defensive Driving Classes
- Industrial and Corporate Safety Programs
- Presentations to Community Civic Groups
- Classroom Seminars in Schools throughout the State of Texas in Areas of Driver Education, Bus Driver Safety, Pre-Driving Age Students, and Pedestrian Safety
FORMAL AND RELATIVE EDUCATION/SPECIAL TRAINING
- Certificate from University of Wisconsin for Advanced Business Spanish (2004)
- College hours from San Jacinto College Houston and University of Houston
- Graduated Trinity High School Trinity, Texas 1968
- Technical Training As Noted in CV from Vendors and Manufacturers of Air Brake and Event Recorder Equipment
- Certificate of Training-Burlington Northern/Santa Fe National Academy of Railroad Sciences-Locomotive Engineer Re-certification
- Certificate of Achievement for Advanced Engineer Training through Union Pacific (Simulator)
- Technical training in Code of Federal Regulations 49-Transportation (Railway Educational Bureau)
- Technical Training in Basic Instruction for Brakemen/Switchmen (Railway Educational Bureau)
- Technical Training in Derailment Investigation Procedures (Railway Educational Bureau)
- Engineer Certification Seminar (American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association)
- Fundamentals of Railway Train Control and Signaling Systems (University of Wisconsin)
ADVANCED TRAINING/QUALIFICATIONS IN AIR BRAKE OPERATION AND TECHNOLOGY
- Certificate of Advanced Training in Freight Car Air Brake Equipment (Westinghouse Air Brake Company)
- Certificate of Advanced Training in Locomotive Air Brake and Electro-Pneumatic Equipment (Westinghouse Air Brake Company)
- Technical Training in Train Braking Distance Calculation (Railway Educational Bureau)
- Qualified as Instructor of Air Brake Rules and Operation through Union Pacific Technical Training Department
RAILROAD SAFETY AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
- Union Pacific Grade Crossing Safety Award (1994)
- Periodic Injury Free Service Awards from Union Pacific
- Operation Lifesaver* Special Achievement Award (1986)
- Safety Committee Chairman-Union Pacific Railroad (1983-1984)
- 1978 Safety Award of Merit from Missouri Pacific Railroad
SPECIAL PROJECTS
- Translated General Code of Operating Rules to Spanish and Consolidated Timetables for Mexican Railroads
- Hands-on Testing of Locomotive Handling, Signaling and Stopping Capabilities in Accident Reconstruction
- Train Crew Operations Auditing for Major Railroads
- Participant- FRA Remote Control Locomotives Technical Conference
- Developed Operations/Training Manual for Industrial Railroad Operations
- Senior Editor and Technical Consultant for Translation into Spanish Language: General Motors ElectroMotive Division SD70M Tier 1 Running Maintenance Manual
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Has been certified as Speaker for Texas Operation Lifesaver (1985, 1986)*
- Published: Event Recorder Evolution, Operation, and its Role in Railroad Accident Reconstruction (University of Tennessee, 1996)
- Presented: Post Accident Trauma and its Effect of Train Crews Involved in Railroad Accidents
- Presented: Operating Rules and Their Function in Railroad Operations-NARSCI
- Published: Certification of Railroad Operating Employees - What Has Been Accomplished and What Lies Ahead? (University of Tennessee, 2000)
- VP of Public Relations; VP of Education Pensadores de Houston (Spanish Language Toastmasters International)
- Advisory Committee, National Association of Railroad Safety Consultants and Investigators
- The Air Brake Association
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
- International Association of Railway Operating Officers, Inc.
- Operating Rules Association of North America
*References to Operation Lifesaver do not represent any affiliation with "Operation Lifesaver Inc."
