Roger Clugston, Director of the Rail Safety Division at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), is retiring after more than five decades in the railroad industry. He spent 24 years with the CPUC, most recently based in Bakersfield.
Clugston began his career working alongside his father for Santa Fe Railroad and joined the company officially in 1973. He was initially assigned to track construction and maintenance before moving up to become a track foreman. His hands-on experience included physically demanding work and personal injury, such as losing and later reattaching his right index finger during an accident.
In the 1990s, Clugston transitioned to consulting and served as an expert witness in railroad accident cases. In 2001, he joined the CPUC as a track inspector and was later promoted to senior track inspector. Describing his role at the CPUC, Clugston said, “I loved it. I learned more about railroad operations, signals, and hazardous materials. The CPUC gave me autonomy to do the job and treated me well. No more missing important family events. And people listened to my ideas for improvement and training.”
CPUC inspectors are responsible for evaluating tracks, crossings, hazardous material transportation routes, train control systems, equipment, and overall railway operations throughout California. Clugston emphasized maintaining a regulatory posture: “You have to get confident in the skin of a regulator first,” he said. “When you’re working around the railroad, your stance is, ‘I’m not your friend, but I’m here to help.’” He also advised that inspectors always refer directly to written regulations rather than quoting from memory.
Clugston played a significant role in launching California’s first state-level bridge and tunnel inspection programs for railways. Pat Tsen, Deputy Executive Director of Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement at CPUC noted: “The thing Roger brings to the people of California is the full-on commitment to public safety above all else,” adding that “the CPUC is the only agency in the U.S. that invests in rail safety and saving lives to this level.”
In 2019 he became director of a newly organized Rail Safety Division at CPUC. The division now has 125 employees overseeing safety on 10,000 miles of freight and commuter railways across California as well as oversight of 12,000 rail crossings and all new railway construction.
Reflecting on his career progression without a college degree from entry-level inspector to division director at CPUC Clugston stated: “This work is the highlight of my career… You can do anything if you’re willing to work hard for it.”
Outside his professional life Clugston is known for artistic pursuits including music—hosting a folk radio program—and playwriting with 19 plays written plus acting credits in dozens of productions; he has also painted murals at home.
Pat Tsen observed that although he did not teach formally she believes “he missed his calling as a professor,” noting his mentorship skills within CPUC.
As Clugston retires he plans on spending more time painting and attending shows but leaves behind what colleagues describe as a legacy rooted in professionalism integrity curiosity creativity—and above all—a deep commitment to public safety.
