Daily Headlines
FRA proposes amendment to freight car safety standards in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
This proposed amendment, on which FRA is seeking public comment, aims to further enhance the safety and security of the U.S. freight rail industry by introducing crucial restrictions on newly built freight cars placed into service within the U.S.
Federal grant to upgrade Empire Builder route in Montana
BNSF Railway will receive a federal grant for $14.9 million toward infrastructure improvements in and around Malta, Mont., U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced Thursday.
Pittsburgh-Harrisburg route improvements to receive $143.6 million federal grant
Infrastructure improvements to accommodate a second daily round trip of Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pa., will receive more than $143 million in federal funding, the state’s two U.S. senators have announced.
AAR reports rail traffic for November and the week ending December 2, 2023
For the week ending December 2, 2023, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 509,626 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.9 percent compared with the same week last year.
Now in vogue: Class I railroads buying short lines and regionals
It’s hard to say when a trend becomes a trend. But yesterday’s announcement that Canadian National will acquire the 253-mile Iowa Northern Railway suggests that short lines and regionals getting gobbled up by Class I railroads is now a thing.
NTSB recommends backup cameras for maintenance machinery as a result of fatal accident
The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for backup cameras on maintenance-of-way machinery, as well as other safety recommendations, as a result of a fatal accident involving a Norfolk Southern track gang at Reed, Pa., in December 2021.
Canada, U.S. to form task force to get locomotive emissions to net zero
The U.S. and Canadian governments plan to work together to reduce the railway sector’s greenhouse gas emissions via a task force that will explore accelerating the use of zero-emissions locomotive technologies.
NS installs new computer-aided yard operations system at Norris Yard
Norfolk Southern is installing Wabtec’s Yard Planner system at Norris Yard in Irondale, Ala., as part of an effort to improve the hump yard’s efficiency and make service more consistent.
Q&A: RRB appeals procedures
Persons claiming retirement, disability, or survivor annuities or unemployment or sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have the right to appeal unfavorable determinations on their claims.
President Biden announces $8.2 Billion in new grants for high-speed rail and pipeline of projects nationwide
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced that it has awarded $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects across the country while announcing corridor planning activities that will impact every region nationwide.
Labor unions urge STB to press big U.S. railroads on employment and service levels
A coalition of rail labor unions has criticized the U.S. Class I railroads’ hiring efforts, their pace of service improvements, and the industry’s safety record in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board.
Biden administration pledges $6 billion to a pair of high-speed electric rail routes in U.S. West
U.S. senators from California and Nevada said the federal government will give $3 billion for a planned privately-owned route between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area plus another $3.1 billion for an initial segment of California’s publicly-funded effort to eventually connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Legislators announce selection of eight more passenger routes for FRA Corridor ID program
Selection provides funding for studies that are a prelude to new or expanded Amtrak service.
Senator Brown: Washington selects 4 routes for expansion priorities
The Federal Railroad Administration has selected four routes serving Ohio and other states as priorities for Amtrak expansion, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio said Tuesday.
NS to end relocation aid right after one-year anniversary of East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern railroad plans to stop paying relocation aid to people displaced by last February’s fiery derailment in eastern Ohio right after the one-year anniversary of the crash.
BMWED, Union Pacific tussle over furloughs
Debate about furloughs at Union Pacific and how many employees could be affected continue to play out in the public arena following a recent industry conference where Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman called out Union Pacific leadership.
FRA wants railroads to bolster winter operation procedures
U.S. railroads should beef up the procedures they use for responding to adverse weather conditions, including seeing how weather-related technologies can be integrated into positive train control and whether the railroads can collaborate on developing best practices, according to a safety advisory from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Railyard explosion, inspections raise safety questions about Union Pacific’s hazmat shipping
Federal inspectors have twice found hundreds of defects in the locomotives and railcars Union Pacific uses at the world’s largest railyard in Nebraska, but none of those seem to explain why a shipping container filled with toxic acid exploded there this fall.
Failed wheel bearing caused Kentucky derailment, CSX says
CSX says a failed wheel bearing caused the Nov. 22 derailment that led to an evacuation of residents in Livingston, Ky., on Thanksgiving.
AAR: North American rail volume down through 46 weeks
Through the first 46 weeks of 2023 (ending Nov. 18), total North American carload and intermodal traffic decreased 3.1% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Nov. 22.
BLET News
CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs: “We make it miserable for a lot of people”
CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs recently discussed how poorly Class I railroads treat their employees. Photo: courtesy Eric Williams _____________________ In November, CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs spoke at a conference for investors and other rail industry stakeholders. As reported...
BLET National Legislative Board: Setting the agenda for 2024
National Legislative Board's 2023 annual meeting, from left: Cory Runion, Region 4; Brendan Sullivan, Director of Political Affairs; Herb Harris, Region 1; B.J. Trumble, Region 3; Vince Verna, VP & NLR; Eddie Hall, National President; Mark Wallace, First Vice...
BLET members ratify new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak
Earlier today, BLET members ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak. The new seven-year agreement was approved by a 550-479 vote of the 1,029 (73%) ballots cast. The contract governs locomotive engineers who operate Amtrak’s passenger and commuter...
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2024
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) will increase from $188,000 to $195,100 on January 1, 2024. At the end of 2001, Labor and Management agreed on various...
BLET members ratify agreement with Keolis Rail Services Virginia
The agreement with Keolis governs rates of pay and health care benefits for locomotive engineers who operate trains for Virginia Railway Express. Photo: courtesy of VRE ____________________ On November 29, BLET members ratified a new five-year contract with Keolis...
New Jersey: BLET testifies in favor of rail safety bill at Senate hearing
From left: BLET’s Andrew Arias, NJ State Senator Patrick Diegnan, and BLET’s Ray Vigil at the New Jersey State Senate’s hearing to consider a rail safety bill on November 27, 2023. ____________________ Members of the BLET’s New Jersey State Legislative Board (NJ SLB)...
TTD urges Senate to act on NMB nominees
In a November 21 letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, urged the Senate to “expeditiously” schedule a floor vote on the reappointment of National Mediation Board (NMB) Members Linda Puchala and Deirdre...
BLET members vote unanimously to authorize a strike at SEPTA
BLET members who operate regional rail trains for SEPTA in Philadelphia and the surrounding area have voted to grant BLET National President Eddie Hall the authority to call a strike. Results of the vote count on November 20 show that of engineers eligible to cast...
Amtrak Passenger Engineers: Replacement ballot instructions
As announced on November 10 (https://blet.link/47n02YO), the BLET has reached a tentative agreement for more than 1,400 locomotive engineers who operate Amtrak’s passenger and commuter trains. Ballots were mailed on November 15. Eligible members who have not received...
Rail Labor partners with High-Speed Rail Authority
Artist's rendering of a California high-speed train. Image: courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority ____________________ The California High-Speed Rail Authority and 13 rail labor unions, including BLET, announced on November 17 that they have entered an...
