Rail Industry News
For Florida’s Brightline, 57 fatalities in 5 years
Brightline trains killed one person and seriously injured another in separate accidents less than 12 hours apart, the latest in a spate of collisions plaguing the higher-speed passenger trains since the railroad recently resumed operations.
Rail shippers push regulators to adopt reciprocal switching rules
The Rail Customer Coalition sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board on Friday pushing for reciprocal switching rules ahead of a pivotal hearing slated for next month.
Search continues for suspect following fatal shooting on LIRR train
A suspect is still on the run following a fatal shooting on a Long Island Rail Road train about to pull out of the Ronkonkoma station early Wednesday morning.
Washington state senators approve high-speed rail funding
Washington state senators took a step toward establishing a high-speed train system linking Oregon to Canada. A proposal to put $150 million toward creating a system passed off the Senate floor Tuesday night.
First day of Gulf Coast hearing brings significant new information
Active cross-examination by Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman and other board members marked almost eight hours of testimony Tuesday on the first of two days of public comment on the ramifications of two proposed daily Amtrak round trips between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala.
Amtrak uses social media to help make its case for Gulf Coast service
Hours before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) began the first day of a two-day public hearing on the matter, Amtrak yesterday laid out on social media its case for why it should be allowed to restore passenger-rail service along the Gulf Coast.
Chair DeFazio statement at STB hearing on restoring Gulf Coast intercity passenger rail service
Rep. DeFazio said: “You mean to tell me that CSX can’t handle two more trains a day on this route in either direction unless the American public invests $400 million? That is ridiculous.”
FRA issues Amtrak on time performance report card
The Cardinal, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle were delayed most.
STB to hold March 15-16 hearing on reciprocal switching
It’s a subject upon which freight railroads and many of their major customers have been deeply divided for a very long time.
STB hearing on Amtrak Gulf Coast service begins today
To be held virtually, the hearing will begin on Feb. 15 and continue Feb. 16
Analysis: What the STB should ask to help sort out Amtrak Gulf Coast fiasco
CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Amtrak all should be in the hot seat at Surface Transportation Board hearings this week and next month regarding proposed Gulf Coast passenger service
FRA publishes quarterly report on performance, quality of intercity passenger rail
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today published a report and supporting data files that measure the performance and service quality of Amtrak intercity passenger train operations during the fourth quarter of FY 2021.
Teamsters celebrate Black History Month with voting rights push
To ensure that voting is protected nationwide, federal legislation is a necessity. The For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act would protect the rights of voters and would also grant the federal government oversight of any legislative changes enacted at the state level.
Port of Savannah: 18 months of record volume
The Port of Savannah, Ga., handled 479,700 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in January—a 4% gain over the same month last year, when cargo volumes grew 22%, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported.
NYC subway ridership tops 3 million for first time in months
MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) subway ridership recently topped 3 million for three consecutive days, the first time the transit system surpassed that ridership mark since Dec. 17, 2021, when the omicron variant of the COVID-19 pandemic was reported in the city.
Delays along Metra’s UP Northwest line after near miss with pedestrian
A person earlier believed to have been hit by an inbound Metra train in Park Ridge actually suffered a “near miss,” a Metra spokeswoman said late Monday morning.
BNSF train derails in Denver, sends 3 empty carts into South Platte River
Several freight train cars derailed in Denver Saturday morning. Burlington Northern Santa Fe confirmed the crash happened at around 6 a.m. Officials add three of seven cars fell into the South Platte River. There are no reported injuries and the cause is under
Environmental groups sue STB over approval of Utah oil train line
Conservation groups on Friday accused the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) of improperly approving a roughly $1.5 billion rail line in Utah’s Uinta Basin because the resulting boost in the area’s oil output would aggravate climate change.
UP reimbursing Tempe for 2020 derailment
Union Pacific Railroad will be reimbursing Tempe nearly $482,000 for expenses related to the July 2020 train derailment, according to city officials.
NJ Transit settles with crew member over 2016 Hoboken crash
The NJ Transit board unanimously approved a settlement a conductor who was working on a train that crashed into Hoboken Terminal on Sept. 29, 2016.
BLET News
Train crew bill A.B. 337 brings back what Nevada already had
All day, every day, through cities, rural areas and everywhere in between, in Nevada as well as around our country, freight trains are rolling. In many cases, they’re the only practical way to safely transport hazardous chemicals, oil, hazardous waste, consumer goods, and vehicles to their intended destinations. That hasn’t changed for years.
Two-person crew bill introduced in Ohio House
A comprehensive railroad safety bill that would require two employees to work on freight trains was introduced in the State of Ohio’s House of Representatives in early April.
Deadlines approaching for BLET regional meeting in St. Louis
As a reminder, registration is ongoing for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Mo., June 24-28, 2019. The deadline to make hotel reservations is May 2, and the last day to register for the regional meeting is May 22.
Former BLET District Chairman Sonny Kertesz, 1940-2019
Former BLET District Chairman John W. “Sonny” Kertesz passed away on February 18, 2019, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 79 years old.
BLET legislative chairmen conclude 44th annual meeting
Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) concluded their 44th annual meeting on March 27, 2019, in San Diego, Calif.
Former BLET General Chairman Danny Knorek, 1947-2019
Daniel M. (Danny) Knorek, former General Chairman of the CSX Northern Railroad Lines General Committee of Adjustment, passed away on April 1, 2019 with Cheryl, his wife of 49 years, by his side. He was 71 years old.
Precision Scheduled Railroading: Short Term Gains at What Cost?
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Much is being made in the railroad industry and other transportation media about the Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) wildfire sweeping from coast to coast. Proponents of PSR will tell you that it will prove to be the industry’s savior. But it also begs the following question; just what does the industry need to be saved from?
2018 BLET Bylaws available online
An electronic copy of the 2018 edition of the BLET Bylaws is now available in the Members Area of the Brotherhood’s website.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Louisville & Indiana
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by LIRC who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Large U.S. rail unions announce national two-person crew legislation
Two large railroad unions in the United States have pledged their joint support for the Safe Freight Act legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).
