September 6, 2024 | Amtrak, Headlines
(Source: Amtrak press release, September 5, 2024) OLD LYME, Conn. – Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner today joined U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy,...
August 8, 2024 | Amtrak, Headlines, Lawsuit, NS, PSR, Shippers
(Source: Trains.com, August 7, 2024) Rail shipper groups say the poor on-time performance of all 15 Amtrak long-distance trains — which prompted the Justice Department to file a lawsuit last week against Norfolk Southern for its handling of the Crescent — is merely a...
July 31, 2024 | Amtrak, Commuter Rail, News, Organizing, Top News
BLET National President Eddie Hall officially welcomed 36 new members into the BLET family today. Train and engine service employees with commuter railroad COASTER voted to join the union in an election certified by the National Mediation Board earlier this afternoon....
July 31, 2024 | Amtrak, Headlines, Lawsuit, NS, PSR, Train Length
(Source: Associated Press, July 30, 2024) Norfolk Southern railroad has been causing chronic delays for Amtrak between New York and New Orleans by forcing the passenger trains to wait while its massive freight trains pass, the federal government said in a lawsuit...
July 31, 2024 | Amtrak, DOT, Headlines
(Source: Trains.com, July 27, 2024) Eight members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation have again written Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, asking for federal intervention in the ongoing service issues on the Northeast Corridor. Full story:...
July 23, 2024 | Amtrak, News, Top News
Days before widespread failures at Amtrak this summer, it was revealed that top executives received millions in bonuses in 2023. Photo courtesy of Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659 ____________________ It’s been a rough summer for Amtrak. Major electrical problems in the...
July 19, 2024 | Amtrak, Commuter Rail, Headlines, Weather
(Source: Trains.com, July 18, 2024) Extreme heat is taking its toll on rail transportation along the Northeast Corridor, with transit agencies and Amtrak all feeling the impact and taking operational measures. Full story: Trains.com
July 2, 2024 | Amtrak, FRA, News, Technology
The BLET opposes the installation of shunt enhancer antennas on Amtrak’s fleet of Siemens Charger locomotives. Photo by David Estes ____________________ The BLET has filed written comments with the Federal Railroad Administration to oppose Amtrak’s request for a...
May 31, 2024 | Amtrak, News
From left: Joel Mueller, BLET Minnesota SLB Chairman, Riley Richmond, BLET Division 27, and Chad Roehrich, BLET Midwest Regional Chairman-Amtrak GCA. _____________________ BLET member Riley Richmond worked as the locomotive engineer on the inaugural run of Amtrak’s...
May 15, 2024 | Amtrak, Commuter Rail, DOT, FRA, Headlines
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, May 14, 2024) The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes available over $2 billion in Federal-State Partnership...