Highlighting a strong pipeline of talent, Director of Safety and Compliance Mark Labbe said Ignacio Duran Jr. and Will Farrell have the distinction of being the first Belt employees internally promoted to locomotive engineer in the past 23 years.

“They represent a new generation,” Labbe said, stating that Duran and Farrell have both had successful careers as switchmen, conductors and remote control operators.

Looking ahead, Labbe added that similar promotions are likely in the “not-too-distant future.”

“Our employees are up to the challenge of taking on new roles,” he said.