Rail Industry News
U.S. issues rule requiring at least two people on longest freight trains
“Safety improvements have come too slowly to the railroads but it is great to be finally working with an administration that is listening to workers,” said Vince Verna, a vice president at the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
NS calls activist plans a slash-and-burn strategy that would require furloughs
Norfolk Southern today urged shareholders to back its board and management team in its proxy battle, saying that the plans touted by activist investor Ancora Holdings amount to a “slash and burn” strategy that would hurt service and safety.
Freight railroads must keep two person crews, according to new federal regulation
Major freight railroads will have to maintain two-person crews on most routes under a new federal rule that was finalized Tuesday. The Federal Railroad Administration released the details of the rule Tuesday morning, after working on it for the past two years.
Oberman names STB passenger rail advisory committee members
Greg Regan, president, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, was appointed to a 3-year term to represent organized labor.
Biden fires RRB inspector general
An investigation found evidence that Martin Dickman created a toxic work environment and engaged in abusive treatment, including using crude and inappropriate language like slurs, and belittling employees.
FRA makes more than $2.4 billion in CRISI grant funding available
CRISI grants advance projects that modernize America’s freight and intercity passenger rail infrastructure, allowing people and goods to move with greater safety, efficiency, and reliability.
BNSF, CPKC say they won’t pay new Minnesota safety fee
BNSF Railway and CPKC, the two largest railroads in Minnesota, do not plan to make payments of approximately $1 million to the state required by a law passed last year.
Railroads scramble to keep freight moving after Baltimore port disruption
When the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge disrupted operations at the Port of Baltimore on Tuesday, major railroad carriers kept freight flowing despite the inevitable risk of delays.
Three-train NS crash in Pennsylvania highlights shortcomings of positive train control
None of the circumstances the National Transportation Safety Board described Tuesday in its preliminary report on the March 2 derailment would have triggered the automated positive train control system to stop the trains.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending March 23, 2024
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 470,593 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.1 percent compared with the same week last year.
CSX, NS count the cost of tragic Baltimore bridge collapse
Class I railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern say that their customers should expect delays with some shipments following the tragic collapse of the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26.
NTSB looks at NS rules, procedures, and training as investigation of three-train Pennsylvania incident continues
The National Transportation Safety Board is looking at Norfolk Southern rules, procedures, and crew training relating to train handling as it continues its investigation into the collision and derailment involving three trains that occurred March 2 in Lower Saucon Township, Pa.
Vote on insurgent effort at NS set for May 9
Norfolk Southern has set May 9 as the date for its annual meeting, when an insurgent campaign to put outside directors on the company’s board and a new CEO in place will come to a head.
U.S. Class I workforce grew in February, STB data shows
The U.S. Class I workforce grew a bit larger last month. As of mid-February, the large railroads employed 123,377 people in the United States, up 0.6% from January’s level and 2.6% from February 2023’s count.
Analysts expect NS and activist investors to reach agreement in proxy fight
Norfolk Southern’s decision to hire a chief operating officer with Precision Scheduled Railroading expertise increases the likelihood that the embattled railroad will reach a settlement with activist investor Ancora Holdings, Wall Street analysts say.
NS to name new chief operating officer amid proxy battle
Amid a proxy fight with an activist investor, Norfolk Southern on Wednesday will name Canadian Pacific Kansas City executive John Orr as its chief operating officer.
President Biden nominates Homendy to continue as NTSB chair
President Joe Biden recently announced his intention to nominate Jennifer Homendy as the continuing chair of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Members of American Train Dispatcher Association protest at opening of CPKC stadium
The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) staged a protest outside the match at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stadium. ATDA shared its frustrations with CPKC sharing they are refusing to provide paid sick leave for employees.
STB to UP: Employment data must be public; Ancora responds to Oberman’s criticism
The Surface Transportation Board denied Union Pacific Railroad’s request to keep certain required, temporary employment-data reporting confidential.
Berkshire boosts pay of Warren Buffett successor to $20 million
Berkshire Hathaway said Warren Buffett raised the pay of his designated successor Greg Abel to $20 million last year, as the conglomerate posted a record operating profit.
BLET News
AAR’s de-regulatory effort puts lives at risk as rail industry asks feds to overturn two-person crew rule
Aerial footage showing the aftermath of the Lac-Megantic rail disaster. (Photo: Ministry of Public Security (Quebec) ____________________ Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) solicited public feedback on possible federal safety regulations...
Education and Training: Legislative Reps sharpen their skills in Washington, D.C.
The BLET Education & Training Department wrapped up its Legislative Representative Workshop in mid-May at Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C. The workshop for BLET Legislative Representatives (LRs) taught them how to become better lobbyists on behalf of the...
Best steps to the plate as BLET’s new First Vice President
BLET First Vice President Gary Best is a third-generation locomotive engineer. ____________________ Gary Best stands ready to serve the BLET and its members. His term as First Vice President, the union’s second-highest national office, began on May 1, 2025. “The BLET,...
Transit supporters pack the statehouse in Harrisburg in effort to prevent deep cuts at SEPTA
Don Hill, the BLET General Chairman at SEPTA, says the cuts, if allowed to go through, would be an embarrassment to all Pennsylvanians at a time when the nation is celebrating its 250th anniversary with the focus on Philadelphia and major sporting events are being hosted in the city, including the FIFA World Cup.
Cory Runion reelected Chairman of Wyoming SLB
Cory Runion was reelected to his fifth term as Chairman of the Wyoming SLB at triennial meeting in April.
Jeff Thurman reelected General Chairman of BNSF (former SLSF) GCA
Jeff Thurman was reelected by acclamation to his fourth term as General Chairman of the BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting on May 14, 2025.
Strike ends as BLET, NJ Transit reach tentative agreement
This afternoon, May 18, the BLET and NJ Transit reached a tentative agreement, ending a strike that began Friday.
BLET is sounding the alarm — Your help is needed to protect the U.S. southern border and to save American rail jobs
Please visit the Take Action area of the BLET National Division website. Once there, the site will provide guidance on how you and other BLET activists can connect with the appropriate member of Congress including and, with a few clicks, send a message pushing back against these job and safety giveaways.
NJT LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS ON STRIKE
In accordance with the terms of the Railway Labor Act, NJ Transit’s 450 engineers and trainees will be on strike starting Friday, May 16.
Pat Darcy reelected General Chairman of Amtrak GCA
Pat Darcy was reelected to the office of General Chairman at the Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment’s (GCA) quadrennial meeting in San Antonio, Texas, on May 6, 2025.
