Rail Industry News
National Guard called out after BNSF train derails, burns in North Dakota
Fifteen cars of a BNSF Railway intermodal train derailed early Sunday near Burlington, with some cars catching fire, closing the railroad’s Glasgow Subdivision main line just west of Minot, N.D. Because firefighters were facing difficulties reaching the scene, a North Dakota National Guard helicopter was dispatched to help fight the fire.
Mexico: Rail link worth billions won’t go through Texas after governor used trade as political tool
The Mexican government said it intends to shift long-range plans to build a trade railway connection worth billions of dollars from Texas to New Mexico in the wake of Gov. Greg Abbott’s stepped-up border inspections last month, which were widely criticized as being financially damaging and may now leave a lasting impact on relations between Texas and its No. 1 trading partner.
Split U.S. Supreme Court sides with railroads on worker injury liability
The U.S. Supreme Court in a 4-4 split on Thursday affirmed a lower court ruling that said a train that is stopped is not “in use” under federal labor law, absolving Union Pacific of liability for a worker’s injuries.
Poor rail service threatens U.S. economy, shippers tell STB at Day 2 of hearing
Chemical producers say erratic rail service has forced them to curtail production of essentials like chlorine used to treat public drinking water systems and the plastics used in medical products.
Class I railroads leave U.S. grain and food shippers stranded
Rail backlogs in the United States are delaying shipment of grains as well as processed flour and corn syrup, contributing to the national problem of inflation, food and grain companies said at a hearing this week.
NTSB publishes report on 2019 NS fatality in Baltimore
We determined that the probable cause of the fatality was the conductor riding on the side of a railcar for unknown reasons as the moving train approached stored railcars on an adjacent track, which resulted in decreased clearance, in a section of the Bayview Yard where Norfolk Southern Corporation’s terminal instructions and operating rules specifically prohibited riding railcars in the close-clearance restriction areas.
STB orders CP to resubmit KCS merger traffic density data by May 27
Federal regulators have ordered Canadian Pacific to resubmit specific traffic density data that will be used as part of its Kansas City Southern merger application.
CP eyes early 2023 federal approval of KCS acquisition
Canadian Pacific still expects federal approval of its planned acquisition of Kansas City Southern to occur sometime within the next 12 months, despite a recent pause in the proceeding.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending April 23, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 498,011 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.4 percent compared with the same week last year.
STB seeks ways to quickly ease railroad service problems
There were more questions than answers on Tuesday as federal regulators sought ways to remedy railroad service problems that defy a quick fix because they are rooted in a shortage of train crews.
U.S. rail problems moving fuel, additives could sideline 10% of nation’s trucking fleet: STB hearing
Widespread railroad service problems in the U.S. could sideline 10% of the nation’s commercial trucking fleet because of fuel and additives supply disruptions, specifically for diesel exhaust fluid, renewable diesel and ethanol.
U.S. rail traffic down for ninth consecutive week
Total U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 23, 2022, came in at 498,011 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.4% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads reported on April 27.
CP reports Q1 2022 results
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited announced first-quarter operating results on April 27, 2022.
NS reports “solid” Q1 2022 results despite challenges
Norfolk Southern on April 27 released a first-quarter 2022 operating metrics report card.
NS launching operational plan for intermodal and bulk
Norfolk Southern is preparing to launch the next stage of its streamlined operational plan, with improving intermodal and bulk moves being the target, executives said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call Wednesday morning.
NS reports Q1 2022 results
First-quarter railway operating revenue was $2.9 billion, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, net income was $703 million, and diluted earnings per share was $2.93.
CN Rail profit dips amid supply chain snarls, cuts outlook
Canada’s largest railroad operator said net income for the first quarter dropped to $918 million from $976 million in the first three months of 2021. Revenues rose five per cent year over year to $3.71 billion compared with $3.54 billion a year earlier.
CN reports Q1 2022 results
CN today reported its financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. CN delivered sound operating and financial performance across the board, with adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of C$1.32, up 7%.
Growing impatient with Class I carriers, STB proposes to change emergency service rules
According to the STB, part of the proposal is to make it clear that it has the authority to direct emergency rail services and establish a faster process to deal with acute service emergencies.
NTSB takes action on Most Wanted List, closes recommendations on preventing rail worker fatalities
The National Transportation Safety Board has closed recommendations to reduce rail worker fatalities, one of 10 issues on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements for 2021-2022.
BLET News
Teamsters statement on coronavirus pandemic
As the United States responds to the outbreak of COVID-19, we must ensure that working people are able to perform their jobs in a safe working environment and that sick leave is available to all workers. Without adequate sick leave, workers will be forced to continue working in order to provide food and housing for their families, thus potentially exposing others to the virus.
Two-person crew bill awaits Governor’s signature in Washington State
After more than seven years of hard word by the BLET’s Washington State Legislative Board and their counterparts within the SMART Transportation Division, a two-person crew bill has passed both chambers of the state legislature in Washington. The bill is currently on the desk of Governor Jay Inslee awaiting his signature.
BLET to conduct General Chairman training class in June 2020
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the BLET Arbitration Department, is offering a General Chairman’s training class from June 2-4, 2020, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio.
Rail unions urge FRA to act regarding spread of coronavirus
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) jointly petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on March 6 to take action in responding to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the United States.
BLET urges rail industry to address coronavirus pandemic
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is urging the railroad industry to take steps to protect BLET members, their co-workers and the general public from the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
BLET to host Local Chairman training class, May 3-8, 2020
The BLET Education and Training Department will host a Local Chairman training class from May 3-8, 2020, at the BLET National Division headquarters and Training Center in Independence, Ohio. The class is designed to help Local Chairmen develop and hone the skills necessary to provide the best representation possible to our members.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with PATH
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH). Ballots have been mailed to active members of the BLET employed by the PATH who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET-backed two-person crew bill advances in Washington state
The BLET Washington State Legislative Board, in conjunction with the SMART-TD Washington Legislative Board, has been lobbying the Washington State Legislature in support of H.B. 1841, a bill that would establish a minimum crew size on certain types of trains. The measure has already passed the House, and members who live in the state of Washington are being urged to call their State Senators and ask them to support the bill.
Pfeifer reelected Chairman of Nebraska State Legislative Board
Pat S. Pfeifer was reelected to his third term as Chairman of the Nebraska State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting in Lincoln, Neb., February 24-25, 2020.
Registration open for BLET’s Milwaukee regional meeting, June 22-26, 2020
Registration is now open for the BLET’s first regional meeting of 2020, which will be held at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, June 22-26, 2020.
