Rail Industry News
Railroads ramp up the use of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is weaving itself into the daily operations of big U.S. railroads, helping managers make data-backed decisions about operating plans and identify trends among virtually any t process.
Supreme Court to hear argument on new U.S. rail line
The 88-mile Uinta Basin Railway would connect Utah oil fields to the national rail network, enabling up to 350,000 barrels of crude oil per day to travel on trains as long as two miles.
The decline of North America’s hump yards
Only 36 left, hump yards remain enormously important to the carload network
CSX’s appeal to Supreme Court tests reach of antitrust law
Freight rail giant CSX has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive its lawsuit accusing rival Norfolk Southern of denying access to a key East Coast terminal, costing CSX hundreds of millions of dollars in lost profits.
More people are riding Amtrak than ever before, and improvements are on the way
Amtrak said its goal is to double its ridership to 66 million passengers a year by 2040.
Amtrak notches ridership and revenue record for FY 2024
A 24% gain in ticket revenue from long-distance trains compared to 2019, in spite of constricted coach and sleeping car capacity, generated a 6% rise in total revenue.
BNSF wraps up Kansas double-tracking project, reaching milestone on Southern Transcon
The Kansas double-tracking project began in 2019 and continued the legacy of the Santa Fe, which in 1992 committed to adding a second main all the way from Los Angeles to Chicago.
STB scolds Union Pacific for lack of cooperation
The strongest words, however, come in a concurrence to the unanimous decision by Board Chairman Robert Primus.
NS makes deal with Ancora to prevent another fight for control of the railroad
Under the deal, Norfolk Southern will add another independent director to its board and work to further improve its operations.
DOT announces nearly $1.5 billion for 19 projects along Northeast Corridor
The NEC is one of the busiest and most economically significant rail corridors in the world, with hundreds of thousands of daily riders in a region that represents 20 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.
Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union has been unwilling to sign onto any of these early deals.
TSA proposes new cybersecurity requirements for some railroads, other transportation systems
The TSA estimates that under the rule’s criteria, 73 of the approximately 620 U.S. freight railroads and 34 of approximately 92 passenger rail and transit operators would be subject to the requirements.
Norfolk Southern rule that rail cars be inspected in less than a minute sparks safety concerns
Railroad labor unions have been raising safety concerns for several years now about rushed train inspections after the industry implemented the lean Precision Scheduled Railroading operating model and eliminated one-third of all rail worker jobs.
BNSF reports Q3 2024 results
BNSF Railway’s profits, revenue, and volume all increased for the third quarter, thanks to surging intermodal and agricultural shipments.
FRA proposes automated track inspection regulations
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes applauded the proposed ATI rule.
FRA aims to tighten rules for waivers that allow railroads to experiment with safety technology
The proposal also seeks to preserve union jobs: It says the FRA will take a dim view of safety waiver requests that seek to reduce employment levels or the number of inspections performed by track and car inspectors.
FRA awards $2.4 billion in grants to 122 projects
This announcement is part of a series of investments the Biden-Harris Administration has made in nearly 300 rail projects and dozens of emerging passenger rail corridors across the country through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded FRA grant programs.
CN reports Q3 2024 results
CN today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, including operating income of $1.515 million.
CPKC reports Q3 2024 results
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its third-quarter results, including revenues of $3.5 billion.
Union Pacific reports Q3 2024 results
Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2024 third quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.75 per diluted share. This compares to 2023 third quarter net income of $1.5 billion, or $2.51 per diluted share.
BLET News
Washington, D.C.: President-elect Trump announces cabinet picks to lead DOT, DOL
President-elect Trump has announced his intention to fill two cabinet-level positions of particular interest for the BLET and its members: the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor. Former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy has been nominated by...
Indiana: BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Southern Railroad
Members of the BLET on December 5 ratified a new contract with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 13 BLET locomotive engineers and conductors. The five-year deal runs through the end of...
This holiday season a BLET family needs your generosity as a locomotive engineer recovers from brain surgery
Two BLET members were reunited in a hospital on November 26 for the first time since one came to the other’s rescue during a harrowing ordeal on the job in October. The quick-thinking and decisive actions of conductor Tim McMakin on October 27 likely saved the life of...
Michigan: BLET members ratify new contract with Huron and Eastern Railway
BLET members this week ratified a new contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway (HESR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 24 BLET operating employees. The five-year deal runs through the end of 2029 and provides general...
Railroad safety: BLET participates in FRA’s Rail Share meeting
FRA Administrator Amit Bose (center) with BLET members, officers, and staff at the FRA's Rail Share meeting. ____________________ Representatives from the BLET’s National Legislative Office, along with a large contingent of BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen,...
Health & Welfare: GA-46000 lifetime maximum adjusted for 2025
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 $195,100 to $202,900 on January 1, 2025. At the end of 2001, Labor and Management agreed on various...
BLET Education & Training Department: Secretary-Treasurer refresher courses available via Zoom in December
The BLET National Division Education & Training Department is pleased to announce an End-of-Year Secretary-Treasurer refresher training class. The class will provide a valuable opportunity to review end-of-year reporting and compliance due dates. In addition, we...
Ballots mailed for vote on tentative contract with Indiana Southern Railroad
Ballots for the five-year tentative contract with Indiana Southern Railroad are due back to the National Division by December 5. Photo: courtesy of Grady McKinley ____________________ The BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR)....
Ballots mailed in tentative agreement with Huron and Eastern Railway
TThe ballots for the five-year tentative contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway are due back to the National Division by December 5. Photo: courtesy of Thomas Kurecka ____________________ he BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway...
BLET family needs your generosity as BNSF locomotive engineer recovers from brain surgery
Thanksgiving is a time for appreciation and gratitude, and there were many expressions of profound thanks as two BLET members were reunited yesterday for the first time since one Brother helped save the other’s life. On October 27, the quick-thinking and decisive...
