Credentials And Expertise

CURRICULUM VITAE (1-11-2011) CHARLES L. CULVER CHARLES L. CULVER & ASSOCIATES, LLP RAILROAD OPERATIONS CONSULTANT 2951 Marina Bay Dr, Suite 130-474 League City, Texas 77573 Tel. (281) 486-1859 Fax (281) 486-2014

Charles L. Culver is dual certified as a locomotive engineer and conductor, and offers services as a railroad operations consultant with expertise in train handling, rules interpretation, event recorder data analysis and railroad industry practice. Clients include both plaintiff and defense firms who seek assistance for incidents involving freight trains, passenger trains, and railroad employees. Services provided are for major railroads, short lines, trucking firms, insurance companies and federal/state/local government as well as industrial operations seeking rail safety training for employees.

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. Has Consulted and Testified in 37 states.
• Expertise is in Railroad Operations, Railroad Rules and Federal Regulations, Train Handling, Air Brake Operation, Event Recorder Data Analysis and Industry Practice
• Has Testified in Arbitration: Transport Workers Union Local 100 v. MTA/New York City Transit re: Proposed Operating Rules Changes
• Focus on Train Handling, Crossing Evaluation from Operations Standpoint, Inspections of Locomotives and Equipment, Railroad Yards and Other Accident Sites
• Accident Reconstruction Support through Analysis of Event Recorder Data in Conjunction with Track Charts and Video Footage

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS and QUALIFICATIONS

• Federally Certified Train Service Locomotive Engineer in Compliance with 49CFR 240 – Certification Criteria Includes In-Depth Training in Railroad Rules and Applicable Chapters of 49CFR
• Federally Certified Freight Conductor in Compliance with 49CFR 242 – Certification Criteria Includes In-Depth Training in Railroad Rules and Applicable Chapters of 49CFR
• Trained as Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers per 49CFR 240.105
  • Provides for evaluating/testing the knowledge and skills of locomotive engineers;
  • Provides for prescribing appropriate remedial action for any noted deficiencies in the training, knowledge, or skills of a person seeking to obtain or retain certification
• Qualified as Instructor of General Code of Operating Rules, Air Brake and Signal Appliance Equipment and Safety and Radio Rules
• Qualified in Hostler Certification Training (Brakemen/Conductors Certified to Operate Locomotives)

RAILROAD OPERATIONS EXPERIENCE

• 25 Year Career with Union Pacific (Formerly Missouri Pacific) Railroad in Engineering and Transportation Departments, Operated as Locomotive Fireman/Engineer, Experience with All types of Freight, Yard, Passenger and Simulator Equipment
• 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 (1985) and Trained by Texas Safety Association (1984) as Operation Lifesaver Presenter (Presentations in English and Spanish)

FORMAL AND RELATIVE EDUCATION/SPECIAL TRAINING

• Graduated Trinity High School Trinity, Texas (1968)
• Certificate of Achievement for Advanced Engineer Training through Union Pacific via Simulator (3/94)
• College hours from San Jacinto College Houston
• Tested Out for 2 years (12 hours credit) Spanish Language through University of Houston
• USDOT National Highway Institute Certificate of Training Highway-Rail Safety Improvement conducted by FRA Office of Safety (7/95)
• Certificate of Advanced Training in Freight Car Air Brake Equipment Westinghouse Air Brake Company (9/26-29/95)
• Certificate of Advanced Training in Locomotive Air Brake and Electro-Pneumatic Equipment Westinghouse Air Brake Company (10/17-19/95)
• DOT/FRA Certificate of Completion Railroad Trespass Prevention & Border Issues Workshop El Paso, TX (2/20-21/96)
• Certificate of Training-Burlington Northern/Santa Fe National Academy of Railroad Sciences-Locomotive Engineer Re-certification (11/96)
• Technical Training in Derailment Investigation Procedures thru Railway Educational Bureau (12/99)
• Engineer Certification Seminar American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (2/00)
• Certificate from University of Wisconsin for Advanced Business Spanish (3/04)
• Technical Training As Noted in CV from Vendors and Manufacturers of Air Brake and Event Recorder Equipment
• Technical training in Code of Federal Regulations 49-Transportation (Railway Educational Bureau)
• Technical Training in Basic Instruction for Brakemen/Switchmen (Railway Educational Bureau)
• Fundamentals of Railway Train Control and Signaling Systems (University of Wisconsin)
• 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

• Train Crew Operations Auditing for Major Railroads (1999)
• Translated General Code of Operating Rules to Spanish and Consolidated Timetables for Mexican Railroads (1997)
• Hands-on Testing of Locomotive Handling, Signaling and Stopping Capabilities in Accident Reconstruction
• Participant- FRA Remote Control Locomotives Technical Conference
• Developed Operations/Training Manual for Industrial Railroad Operations
• Presented Safety Training for Industrial Rail Operations
• Senior Editor and Technical Consultant for Translation into Spanish Language: General Motors Electro-Motive Division SD70M Tier 1 Running Maintenance Manual
• Consultant/Advisor to U.S. Government Justice Dept/EPA in Matters of Railroad Safety/Analyses of Event Recorder Information

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, Later Published in FELA Reporter)
• 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)

MEMBERSHIPS (Past &Present)

• Pensadores de Houston (Spanish Language Toastmasters International) has held positions as VP of Public Relations; VP of Education
• Advisory Committee, National Association of Railroad Safety Consultants and Investigators
• National Association of Railroad Safety Consultants and Investigators has held position on Advisory Committee
• The Air Brake Association
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
• International Association of Railway Operating Officers, Inc.
• Operating Rules Association of North America
• Railroad Safety Professionals

© 2007, Charles L. Culver & Associates, LLP.