Rail Industry News
Railroads spurn C3RS, a safety system designed to prevent accidents
Class I freight railroads incorrectly assume a punitive approach to safety gets the best results.
NS agrees to give Amtrak highest priority over freight trains and make its delay records for Amtrak trains available to the DOJ
As a result of the settlement, the Justice Department has moved to dismiss its lawsuit against Norfolk Southern.
Trump nominates rail consultant Kloster to STB, re-nominates Schults
The nominations now go to the Senate for confirmation, although a timeline for confirmation is unknown.
Trump fires STB Board member Robert Primus
Primus, a Democrat, was appointed by Trump in 2020.
Citing lives at risk, BLET urges UP to allow trail to stunning waterfall in Northern California
(Source: Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2025) About 10 times each day, giant freight trains pass along a narrow section of track along the Sacramento River in far Northern California where engineers on the locomotives regularly tense up with stress. “Every single time,...
BNSF reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 5, 2025) BNSF Railway Co. recently reported second-quarter revenue of $5.7 billion, which was flat compared with second-quarter 2024’s mark. The Class I’s operating income and net income in the quarter climbed 19%...
OSHA orders UP to reinstate engineer, provide $300K in back pay
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor press release, August 6, 2025) DALLAS – A federal whistleblower investigation found that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a railroad engineer after the employee reported and sought...
Wheeling & Lake Erie sold for $1.05 billion
(Railfan & Railroad Magazine, August 7, 2025) The Wheeling & Lake Erie, the over 800-mile regional railroad that runs through Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, is being sold to FTAI Infrastructure, Inc., for $1.05 billion. Once approved by...
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announce plans to create America’s first transcontinental railroad
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 29, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced an agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad. These legendary companies will seamlessly connect over 50,000 route miles...
CPKC reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Kansas City press release, July 30, 2025) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its second-quarter results, including revenues of $3.7 billion, diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.33 and core adjusted diluted EPS1 of $1.12....
CSX reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: CSX press release, July 23, 2025) CSX Corp. announced second quarter 2025 operating income of $1.28 billion compared to $1.45 billion in the prior year period. Net income was $829 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $963 million, or $0.49 per...
Norfolk Southern reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 29, 2025) Norfolk Southern Corporation announced its second quarter 2025 financial results. For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, operating ratio was 62.2%, and diluted...
Union Pacific reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 24, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 second quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.15 per diluted share. Results compare to 2024 second quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.74 per diluted share. Second...
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern discuss merger to create transcontinental railroad, AP source says
To be approved, any major rail merger must show it will enhance competition and serve the public interest.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issues warning about end-of-train device vulnerability
The federal government cybersecurity agency has issued a warning that the EOT could be vulnerable to computer hackers, especially those seeking to take control of the train’s air brake system.
Trump administration pulls $4 billion in federal funding for California’s bullet train project
Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project’s funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state.
SEPTA board approves budget with 45% service cuts
“This budget will effectively dismantle SEPTA — leaving the City and region without the frequent, reliable transit service that has been an engine of economic growth, mobility, and opportunity,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.
BLET Auxiliary: Now available: “Taking Charge,” a survival guide for railroad families
Members of the BLET Auxiliary were busy selling raffle tickets at the Daytona Beach Regional. From left: Jodi Wallace, Chris Baldwin, Kat Bisbikis, Rachel Pharris, and Natalie Miller. ____________________ Kat Bisbikis, National President of the BLET Auxiliary,...
General President Sean O’Brien highlights list of Teamster speakers during Eastern Regional Meeting
IBT General President Sean O'Brien: “Our members are changing the game. Setting the standard. Improving the lives of their fellow Teamsters all across the country.” ____________________ Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien addressed BLET members during a rousing...
Rail unions warn DOT rollbacks could jeopardize train safety
Labor concerned about potential new power to fire FRA inspectors
BLET News
Wisconsin: Lieutenant Governor joins annual BLET Team Building Session
BLET members at the Wisconsin State Legislative Board's 2025 Team Building Session. ____________________ The BLET Wisconsin State Legislative Board (WI SLB) hosted a team building session during the week of September 29. Chuck Schulz, Chairman of the WI SLB, said the...
BLET members build solidarity at state AFL-CIO convention
Officers of the BLET Nebraska SLB (front row, from left): Travis Kuenning, 1st Vice Chairman, Adam Hausman, Chairman, and Sonny Fankhauser, 2nd Vice Chairman. Back row, from left: Dustin Mintling, LR of Division 623; and Brad Gerdts Secretary-Treasurer. ...
Local Chairmen complete training workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department last week completed a hybrid training class for Local Chairmen, with over 30 members participating who represent members from eight railroads and 16 General Committees across the country. The lead instructors were BLET Vice...
Senate confirms David Fink as 16th FRA Administrator
The U.S. Senate has confirmed David Fink, the former CEO of Pan Am Railways, as the 16th Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). He was part of a block of 107 nominees who were confirmed in a 51-47 party-line vote on October 7. During his Senate...
Movement is being restricted near Santa Teresa, NM to secure the border — why should UP be allowed to operate trains with Mexican nationals there?
U.S. military personnel posting restricted access signs along the border in Santa Teresa, N.M. The area has essentially become a military base. CBS News image ____________________ Does this make any sense? This week, CBS News reported on how the border area near Santa...
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Chicago comedian asks, “Public transit can be many things — but is it funny?”
According to the Chicago Tribune, public transportation can be many things — convenient, frustrating, cost-effective and a guaranteed way to encounter a cross section of the city’s population — but is it funny? Chicago’s Second City Theater hosted an “educomedy”...
BLET locomotive engineers ratify new contract with Metra-UP Line
BLET members today ratified a new contract with Metra that provides a 3.5 percent general wage increase. Members voted 60-1 in favor of ratification. The agreement covers BLET members employed by Metra who operate on the Metra-UP Lines and are represented by the Union...
RRB: Field Offices relocated in Cincinnati and St. Paul
Last week, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) announced that it has relocated its field offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, and St. Paul, Minnesota. The RRB said these moves are projected to save $1.2 million over a 10-year period. Click here for details.
Emidio Gonzalez elected Chairman of Nevada State Legislative Board
Emidio Gonzalez Jr. was elected as Chairman of the BLET Nevada State Legislative Board on September 26. Gonzalez is a Union Pacific locomotive engineer and a member of BLET Division 158 (Sparks, Nevada). He has been an active member of the BLET since 1999 and, in...
