Rail Industry News
In Mexico, train robberies and rail track theft were up 74% last year
Train and track robberies increased 74% in 2021 to over 5,000 incidents, according to data from the Rail Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF).
Amtrak seeks right to take over dispatching on poor-performing routes as part of new contract with CN
Amtrak is proposing that, in extreme examples of routes with poor on-time performance, it would be allowed to take over dispatching from host railroad Canadian National as part of a new operating agreement with CN.
NS gets final approval for double-stack clearance projects in Pittsburgh
Norfolk Southern has received final approval for clearance projects that will allow double-track container traffic to move on one of its routes through Pittsburgh.
CP announces multi-year agreement with CMA
Canadian Pacific today announced a new multi-year agreement with CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics. CP will become CMA CGM’s primary rail provider in Canada, servicing the ports of Vancouver, Montreal and Saint John, N.B.
What does the common carrier obligation mean for U.S. railroads?
In other words, the common carrier obligation binds railroads to transport any freight that has been properly tendered on reasonable terms and conditions.
Missouri power plant noticing impacts on coal delivery from labor shortage in rail industry
Sikeston BMU, which relies on coal delivery by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway from a mine in Wyoming for the power plant, has noticed some of the impacts.
EPA: Derailed NS train near Pittsburgh leaked 3,000 gallons of petroleum into waterways
Norfolk Southern estimates that 3,000 gallons of petroleum discharged into the creek that runs toward the Allegheny River, the EPA said.
Gulf Coast battle, rounds 7-8
The slugfest between Amtrak on one side and CSX, NS, and the Port of Mobile on the other, has been long. It has lasted for ten full days plus an afternoon so far.
NS’s dual-rail gang heads west through Ohio
Norfolk Southern’s “dual-rail gang,” which is made up of about 80 people, is tasked with replacing the 19,500 miles of N.S.-owned track, improving the structure of the rail system.
Lyons tapped for Supply Chain Task Force
The White House and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) have appointed retired Gen. Stephen R. Lyons as Port and Supply Chain Envoy to the Biden administration’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force.
3 hurt as NS train strikes truck NE of Pittsburgh, sending derailed train cars into river
The driver of the truck and two people in the train engine were injured and taken to the hospital. The extent of their injuries is not known.
NS train derails near Pittsburgh; multiple cars fall into water, some leaking oil
In all, 17 cars derailed in the incident. Nine train cars went into Guys Run Creek, which is about 100 yards away from the Allegheny River. Out of the nine cars, four were hauling a type of crude oil.
Cleanup crews on scene near 30-car UP coal train derailment in Nebraska
An eastbound Union Pacific train carrying coal from Wyoming derailed around 7:30 a.m. Thursday about two miles southeast of Gothenburg. No injuries have been reported.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending May 21, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 506,976 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.1 percent compared with the same week last year.
Railroads, union clash over use of track inspection technology
Union members argue that the technology doesn’t cover all the elements of a track inspection.
“Big 4” submit service recovery plans to STB
BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS) and Union Pacific (UP) have answered the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) call to submit service recovery plans—identifying the steps they will take to clear congestion and improve service plus the metrics they will use to evaluate progress over the next six months.
North American rail volume down through first 20 weeks of 2022 compared to 2021
It is the 13th consecutive week that total traffic has declined. Total traffic gains were last seen in Week 7, which ended Feb. 17, 2022.
CHRSA applies for $1.3 billion in federal grant funds
The California High-Speed Rail Authority yesterday announced it submitted two applications seeking a total $1.3 billion in federal funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Freight railroad slowdowns under microscope amid supply chain crunch
Freight railroads are failing to keep pace with consumer demand, putting additional strain on the nation’s supply chains that have been plagued by trucker shortages and congested ports, among other challenges.
Senators demand STB take action on freight rail service disruptions
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators representing major agricultural and energy-producing states is demanding that the Surface Transportation Board take action on inadequate freight rail service.
BLET News
BLET members ratify new contract with WNYP
By a unanimous vote, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP). It governs about a dozen members.
RRB not investing in questionable Chinese companies
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) advised the White House on July 8 that it is not investing railroad workers’ money in questionable companies headquartered in the People’s Republic of China.
Walker elected Iowa State Legislative Board Chairman
Michael G. Walker was elected Chairman of the Iowa State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Coralville, Iowa, on June 25, 2020.
U.S. House passes major rail safety bill, H.R. 2
By a vote of 233-188, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2 on July 1. The bill, called the Moving Forward Act, includes a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan and incorporates all the significant rail safety improvements that were introduced in the $500 billion INVEST In America Act, which BLET members lobbied Congress to support in a national mobilization outreach in late June.
Members can elect to alter contributions to FSA Plan due to COVID-19
Effective July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, members may make a one-time election to change the annual FSA Plan contribution for the 2020 FSA Plan year. This one-time election is intended to provide relief to FSA Plan participants who have incurred lower than expected health costs due to the COVID-19 crisis.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Indiana Southern
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR). Ballots were mailed on June 25, 2020, to active members of the BLET employed by the ISRR who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET members urged to act on INVEST in America Act
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, BLET Auxiliary, retirees, and their family members are urged to contact their legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the INVEST in America Act.
Leyshon reelected UP-Western Region General Chairman
Brother Steve A. Leyshon was reelected by acclamation as the General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Region General Committee of Adjustment during the Committee’s quadrennial meeting held June 15, 2020.
Evans reelected CN-IC General Chairman
William D. (Billy) Evans was reelected by acclamation to his second term of office as General Chairman of the BLET’s Canadian National-Illinois Central (CN-IC) General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting on June 9, 2020.
Rail unions join forces to end RUIA sequestration
All U.S. railroad labor unions have united in a campaign to overturn the unfair sequestration of Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) benefits, which unjustly reduces the unemployment and sickness benefits of railroad workers. The unions are represented by the Teamsters Rail Conference and the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department (TTD).
