Rail Industry News
Analysis: CEO’s dismissal the beginning of the end for Amtrak?
No names have yet been floated about a potential replacement for Gardner.
Amtrak CEO abruptly resigns
Gardner’s departure also arrives just weeks after billionaire Elon Musk floated the idea of privatizing Amtrak, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, at a Morgan Stanley tech conference earlier this month.
STB issues draft environmental statement on proposed Texas border crossing railroad
Green Eagle Railroad’s 1.3-mile line would be part of a 19-mile secure corridor linking Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras, Mexico.
Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the daughter of a Teamster, as Secretary of Labor
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien recommended her for the job.
Trump taps former Pa. GOP chair to serve on Amtrak board of directors
Rob Gleason, a longtime resident of western Pennsylvania, has been an advocate for expanding rail service.
NS says route through Asheville, N.C., will reopen by March 31
Still to be addressed is the badly damaged section of track east of Swannanoa to Old Forts, the rugged Old Fort Loops segment of the line to Salisbury, N.C.
FRA personnel cuts could further delay languishing rail initiatives: Analysis
Concerned about such a prospect, the Rail Passengers Association and 22 other public transportation advocacy organizations on Friday, Feb. 28, sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, urging him to “preserve mission-critical personnel to avoid further delays in the administration of these passenger and freight projects.”
Thieves targeting freight trains in California and Arizona deserts make off with $2 million worth of Nikes
It is said the trains are so long that train crews rarely encounter the thieves.
BNSF reports Q4, full year 2024 results
For the year, BNSF’s pre-tax earnings increased 0.5%, to $6.64 billion, while revenue declined 0.5%, to $23.35 billion.
CPKC dedicates new rail bridge between U.S., Mexico
The bridge is 1,170 feet long and cost $100 million.
Washington state calls for more, faster Amtrak Cascades service
Proposed bills would establish goals for cutting travel time, increasing daily roundtrips, and boosting on-time performance from Seattle to Portland and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Two years after East Palestine derailment, rail leaders still urge safety reforms
Rail leaders highlighted the worsening safety trends across the industry and the harmful impacts of the precision scheduled railroading (PSR) business model that prioritizes profits over safety.
Two bills addressing hazmat rail movements reintroduced in U.S. House
Previous versions of these bills did not advance out of House committees in 2023.
Trump administration shakes up funding formulas for rail projects
The order also contains provisions that would seem to threaten FRA funding for Amtrak, CRISI grants, and grade-crossing elimination projects.
Two years after derailment, toxic chemicals still roll through East Palestine
Despite an initial outcry, changes at the federal level have been bogged down.
Norfolk Southern reports Q4, full-year 2024 results
For full-year 2024, revenue was $12.1 billion and income from railway operations was $4.1 billion.
CN reports Q4, full-year 2024 results
Operating income for the full year was down 5% compared to 2023.
CPKC reports Q4, full-year 2024 results
For the full year 2024, the railroad reported that its operating ratio decreased by 60 basis points to 64.4 percent from 65.0 percent in 2023.
Union Pacific reports Q4, full-year 2024 results
The company repurchased 6.3 million shares of stock in 2024 at an aggregate cost of $1.5 billion.
CSX reports Q4, full-year 2024 results
Revenue for the full year totaled $14.54 billion in 2024.
BLET News
Amtrak names locomotive in honor of late BLET General Chairman Mark B. Kenny
From left: Matt Kronyak, BLET Special Rep; Brad Cleary, Amtrak GCA S-T; Gerhard Williams (back row), Amtrak VP; Gabriel Perez, Amtrak GCA VGC; J.J. O’Neill, Amtrak GCA ERC; Kate Kenny; Stephen Gardner (back row), Amtrak CEO; David Estes, BLET NST; Jim Louis, BLET VP;...
Teamster-backed Lori Chavez-DeRemer confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Labor
Former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed on March 10 to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor. She is the daughter of a Teamster and has the strong backing of Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien. “Lori Chavez-DeRemer will do an excellent job...
Education & Training Dept.: Division Secretary-Treasurers complete training
The BLET Education & Training Department conducted a hybrid training class for Division Secretary-Treasurers last week, with 55 members participating both in person at the BLET National Division Training Center and virtually via Zoom. Many participants in the...
The Trump Administration is slashing federal employment and government services — RRB field offices are now in the crosshairs
The BLET National Division has been approached by many concerned members regarding the Trump administration’s ongoing cuts to federal agencies with questions about what effect those reductions in staffing and programs might have on railroad workers. Among the cuts, it...
RRB Q&A: More information on the Social Security Fairness Act and its impact on Railroad Retirement annuities
The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), which was signed into law on January 5, 2025, eliminates the reduction previously applied to the Railroad Retirement annuities or Social Security benefits of individuals who also receive pensions from work not covered by Social...
Teamsters Rail Conference thanks Rep. Titus
Front row, from left: Cole Scandaglia, Teamsters; Vince Verna, BLET; Rep. Dina Titus; Brendan Sullivan, BLET; and Alex Beckman, Rail Conference. Back row, from left: Mark Wallace, BLET; Eddie Hall, BLET, Jeff Joines, BMWED; and Roy Morrison, BMWED. ...
Cleveland: Division 607 members mark two years since the tragic passing of Brother Lou Shuster
From left: Laying a wreath in memory of Brother Shuster is Division 607 member Tim Shultz and Vice Local Chairman Kevin Russell. ____________________ March 7 marked two years since BLET Division 607 President Lou Shuster was killed in a rail yard accident while...
BLET Education & Training Dept.: Secretary-Treasurers complete hybrid LM-2 training
The BLET Education & Training Department hosted a hybrid training class for LM-2 filers last week, with Secretary-Treasurers participating both in person at the BLET National Division Training Center and virtually via Zoom. The workshop was geared toward...
Remote control: BLET meets with Rep. Kennedy regarding safety of remote control trains
New York Congressman Tim Kennedy (left) meets with Teamsters Rail Conference President and BLET First Vice President Mark Wallace ____________________ Teamsters Rail Conference President and BLET First Vice President Mark Wallace, along with Brendan Sullivan of the...
DOGE: Elon Musk’s latest proposal — if adopted — would derail Amtrak
Elon Musk hinted that bankrupting Amtrak could be a good thing even though bankruptcies have been detrimental to rail workers. ____________________ Last week, speaking to a Morgan Stanley investor conference, billionaire Trump advisor Elon Musk said privatizing Amtrak...
