With great sorrow the California Short Line Railroad Association (CSLRA) reports the death of former CSLRA Board member (2008-2017) David Buccolo on February 15, 2023. Dave served an amazing 51 years in the railroad industry, starting as a Trainman and Yardmaster on the Chicago & North Western Railroad (CNW) in Huron, SD. When he was with the CNW he met and married his wife Marie.
During his career he held positions with four Class 1 railroads in operations, safety and hazardous materials training and response. Dave also worked in the California short line industry as a General Manager of the Trona Railway and of the Central California Traction Co. (CCT). He also worked as VP of Risk Management and Safety and Compliance for a major regional railroad holding company, as well as for Hulcher Services. In addition to California, Dave worked with short lines in Kansas, Indiana, and Texas.
When he “retired” in 2016 he was the General Manager of the CCT, a CA short line serving the Port of Stockton and the Central Valley of CA. After retirement Dave was in demand as a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) and railroad safety expert, serving on the Transportation Community Awareness Emergency Response (TRANSCAER) National TRANSCAER Task Group executive committee as well as being the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) liaison to TRANSCAER and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). He was also very active visiting short lines around the USA with the ASLRRA’s Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) as a safety culture assessor, and with the SLSI HAZMAT program, building the curriculum for the program and working as a trainer.
With all of that activity he still made time to help CSLRA with technical issues, work with local first responders, go on long bike rides (chronicled on his Facebook page), and pursue his favorite side hustle/hobby of BBQ cooking for large events. CSLRA extends heartfelt condolences to Dave’s wife Marie and to their family.