Daily Headlines
CPKC to resume contract negotiations with TCRC
(Source: Reuters, May 16, 2024) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) said on Thursday its leadership, with the assistance of federal mediators, will resume contract negotiations with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union on May 17. Full story: Reuters
Study shows longer freight trains have higher risk of derailment
(Source: Claims Journal, May 16, 2024) The longer the freight train, the greater the risk of derailment, new research from the Society for Risk Analysis shows. The study, published in the journal Risk Analysis, was led by Peter Madsen of Brigham Young University’s...
Communication error led to UP yard fatality, NTSB determines
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) A communication breakdown over granting permission for a train movement into the yard, as well as regarding placement of a portable derail device, was the probable cause of the August 2022 fatality of a Union Pacific conductor at a...
Three railroads ask federal court to toss out STB’s reciprocal switching rule
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) Canadian National, CSX, and Union Pacific last week asked a federal appeals court to set aside the Surface Transportation Board’s new reciprocal switching rule, which will allow sole-served shippers in terminal areas to request...
U.S. Senate extends Homendy’s term as Chair of NTSB
(Source: AIN Online, May 16, 2024) The U.S. Senate last night confirmed a three-year extension of Jennifer Homendy’s term as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This approval, by voice vote, comes two months after President Joe Biden nominated...
Senator Baldwin pushes railroads to address staffing shortages that compromise safety and service for Americans
(Source: Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), May 15, 2024) Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on the six Class I railroads to address severe staffing shortages that are endangering workers, increasing the risk of derailments and accidents, and...
EPA calls East Palestine whistleblower reports false
(Source: Morning Journal, May 16, 2024) The Region 5 Environmental Protection Agency pushed back at a recent Associated Press report that accuses the agency of not fully utilizing an advanced aircraft that could have collected crucial air monitoring and data during...
BLET News
Remote control: BLET stands on the side of safety, others stand with management
Explosive New York Times investigative report exposes dangers of remote control operations
FRA: Certification standards will be required for train dispatchers and signalmen
Amtrak: BLET helps kick off new Borealis service from St. Paul to Chicago
On the Right Track: 2024 Triennial Election manual now online
Teamsters Rail Conference: Mike Smith appointed new Director
Ohio: Trespasser incidents take a toll, NST Estes says
Jerry Sturdivant reelected General Chairman of NS-Southern Lines GCA
Logan reelected General Chairman of UP-Southern Region GCA
Daily Headlines
CPKC to resume contract negotiations with TCRC
(Source: Reuters, May 16, 2024) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) said on Thursday its leadership, with the assistance of federal mediators, will resume contract negotiations with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union on May 17. Full story: Reuters
Study shows longer freight trains have higher risk of derailment
(Source: Claims Journal, May 16, 2024) The longer the freight train, the greater the risk of derailment, new research from the Society for Risk Analysis shows. The study, published in the journal Risk Analysis, was led by Peter Madsen of Brigham Young University’s...
Communication error led to UP yard fatality, NTSB determines
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) A communication breakdown over granting permission for a train movement into the yard, as well as regarding placement of a portable derail device, was the probable cause of the August 2022 fatality of a Union Pacific conductor at a...
Three railroads ask federal court to toss out STB’s reciprocal switching rule
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) Canadian National, CSX, and Union Pacific last week asked a federal appeals court to set aside the Surface Transportation Board’s new reciprocal switching rule, which will allow sole-served shippers in terminal areas to request...
U.S. Senate extends Homendy’s term as Chair of NTSB
(Source: AIN Online, May 16, 2024) The U.S. Senate last night confirmed a three-year extension of Jennifer Homendy’s term as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This approval, by voice vote, comes two months after President Joe Biden nominated...
Senator Baldwin pushes railroads to address staffing shortages that compromise safety and service for Americans
(Source: Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), May 15, 2024) Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on the six Class I railroads to address severe staffing shortages that are endangering workers, increasing the risk of derailments and accidents, and...
EPA calls East Palestine whistleblower reports false
(Source: Morning Journal, May 16, 2024) The Region 5 Environmental Protection Agency pushed back at a recent Associated Press report that accuses the agency of not fully utilizing an advanced aircraft that could have collected crucial air monitoring and data during...
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