BLET News

(Source: Elgin Courier-News, July 18, 2017) CHICAGO — On Friday, Metra operated a "safety train" from Union Station to Elgin's National Street station. The excursion gave riders a chance to observe safety measures the suburban commuter agency has adopted to reduce...

(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 17, 2017) The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) early next month will kick off a series of weekend shutdowns on its Lowell commuter-rail line to install positive train control (PTC). Full story: Progressive...

(Source: Pensacola News Journal, July 17, 2017) PENSACOLA, Fla. — The co-CEO of Amtrak remains optimistic about the possibility of restoring passenger train service to the Gulf Coast, despite comments from a CSX executive saying reinstatement of the service is...

(Source: Teamsters Local 174 press release, July 16, 2017) TUKWILA, Wash. — Teamsters Local 174 members at Safeway voted today to ratify a new four-year contract with their Employer. The agreement covers both the drivers who deliver Safeway products to Safeway stores...

(Source: News 12 New Jersey, July 17, 2017) GLADSTONE, N.J. — Gov. Chris Christie is denying accusations that he is withholding funds from New Jersey Transit after it was announced the agency would have to use money from its capital fund to pay for day-to-day...

(Source: Patriot Ledger, July 17, 2017) QUINCY, Mass. — About 100 people gathered at the MBTA bus maintenance facility in Quincy Monday morning to rally against the potential privatization of some jobs at the transit agency. Full story: Patriot Ledger

(Source: Associated Press, July 18, 2017) SAVANNAH, Ga. — A railroad owner must pay $3.9 million to the family of a movie worker killed on a Georgia railroad trestle in 2014, a jury decided Monday in civil verdict that found the company shared in the blame for the...

(Source: Reuters, July 17, 2017) NEW YORK — About $1 million worth of smuggled marijuana was discovered last week in the spare tire compartments of newly assembled Ford Fusion sedans imported into the United States from Mexico, U.S. officials said on Monday. In all,...

(Source: www.nj.com, July 14, 2017) NEWARK, N.J. — Work accomplished includes installing two new track switches between the Hudson River tunnels and Penn Station platforms, dismantling two other switches to be replaced next week, and replacing half of a track...

(Source: Lewiston Tribune, July 16, 2017) LEWISTON, Idaho — One of the biggest questions in the debate about removing the four lower Snake River dams is whether rail could haul the grain that's now barged to Portland and transferred onto ocean-going vessels headed to...