Rail Industry News
Philadelphia and CSX collide over railroad’s request to demolish an aging bridge
As if urban life in hardscrabble Southwest Philadelphia were not tough enough, along comes one of the nation’s richest railroad companies, proposing to demolish a decaying bridge, and turn the busy street in front of your business into a permanent cul-de-sac.
A year later, questions linger about UP derailment in Normal, Ill.
Questions remain a year after 17 Union Pacific Railroad Co. freight cars jumped the rails near uptown Normal, crumpling steel and spilling debris.
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference conducting strike vote at CP
The TCRC has served a Notice of Dispute to the Minister of Labor under the Canada Labor Code in accordance with the Canada Labor Code regarding its dispute with CP Rail. The main issues at hand include wages, benefits and pensions.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending Feb. 5, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 458,152 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.6 percent compared with the same week last year.
NTSB issues preliminary report on CSX, SEPTA collision
The NTSB yesterday released a preliminary report on a Dec. 9, 2021, collision between a CSX freight train and a SEPTA trolley car at a grade crossing in Darby, Pa.
NJ Transit ordering 25 multilevel railcars, names new rail ops leader
New Jersey Transit will exercise an option with Alstom for 25 additional Multilevel III commuter railcars, following Board approval on Feb. 9.
LIRR chief Eng steps down, Metro-North head Rinaldi to serve as interim chair
Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng intends to resign his post at the end of the month, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced Thursday. In his place will step Catherine Rinaldi as interim president, adding to her already full plate as president of Metro North.
CHSRA releases draft 2022 business plan
The California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Feb. 8 issued a Draft 2022 Business Plan covering project progress plus areas of opportunity; the 500-mile Phase 1 system from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim is now slated to cost up to $105 billion.
Sherwin-Williams to expand NS-served plant in North Carolina
Sherwin-Williams Co. yesterday announced a $300 million project to expand its manufacturing and distribution facilities in Statesville, North Carolina.
BNSF employee killed in Denver rail yard accident
A railroad employee hit by a train in Denver on Wednesday morning died of his injuries. The man was hit by train in the area of the 3700 block of Globeville Road, according to an 11:46 a.m. Twitter post by the police. The address of incident is part of the BNSF Railway yard north of Coors Field.
For first five weeks of 2022, U.S. freight traffic behind 2021 levels
Total combined U.S. traffic for the first five weeks of 2022 was 2,361,860 carloads and intermodal units, a fall-off of 9.1% compared with last year.
Saskatchewan, Ottawa look to end historic tax exemption for CP Rail
The Government of Saskatchewan’s proposed amendment to the Constitution of Canada, connected to a recent lawsuit filed by Canadian Pacific Railway, was approved by the House of Commons.
U.S. rail industry gives a thumbs-up to new infrastructure law
The law will pump $1.2 trillion into the nation’s roads, bridges, waterways, airports, rail and transit systems, and other infrastructure. It also reauthorizes surface transportation programs for the next five years.
MTA details work and service changes happening over President’s Day weekend
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced several projects taking place over President’s Day Weekend, between Friday, Feb. 18 and Tuesday, Feb. 22.
No new ruling in Palestine’s Union Pacific case
The city of Palestine and Anderson County met Union Pacific in the 369th District Court, presided over by Judge Michael Davis, for a summary judgement Monday, Feb. 7.
Labor, CP-KCS merger on Union Pacific’s radar
Labor availability is the key issue that needs to be addressed in order to restore fluidity in the supply chain, Union Pacific CFO Jennifer Hamann said at a Stifel investor conference on Tuesday.
CSX asks shippers to “express concerns” about Amtrak Gulf Coast plan
CSX President and Chief Executive Officer James Foote is asking shippers to sign a petition expressing concerns to the STB about Amtrak’s proposed Gulf Coast service.
CN touts proposal to acquire KCS route linking Springfield, Ill., with Kansas City
CN is making a bold claim: It will take more trucks off the highway than what’s projected for the entire CP-KCS merger if regulators force divestiture of the KCS line linking Springfield, Ill., and Kansas City.
Opinion: Tacoma to Portland in an hour? Ultra-high-speed rail can make it happen
Imagine getting on a high-speed train in Tacoma and being in Portland in less than an hour at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour. That is a welcome alternative to spending hours stuck in I-5 traffic, making day trips to Portland possible again.
FRA solicits input on new passenger rail corridor program
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) yesterday issued a request for information (RFI) on a new program that will identify intercity passenger-rail corridors across the United States.
BLET News
Registration open for BLET’s Clearwater regional meeting, July 22-26, 2019
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton Clearwater Beach hotel in Clearwater, Fla., July 22-26, 2019.
BLET lobbies Capitol Hill, regulatory agencies for crew member safety
BLET officers and staff invested a lot of legwork lobbying for rail worker safety during the early part of March 2019. The BLET lobbying effort was led by National President Dennis R. Pierce and Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman, with invaluable support for BLET Director of Regulatory Affairs Vince Verna and BLET Legislative and Political Director Bob Hagan.
BLET to host Secretary-Treasurer class in June 2019
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a training class for Secretary-Treasurers from June 9-13, 2019, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio.
Reminder: Space remains for April hazmat training program in Arizona
As a reminder, space remains for the Rail Hazmat Chemical/Emergency Response and OSHA Awareness Training Programs that will be held April 10-14, 2019, in Winslow, Ariz. The training is sponsored by the Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program, and attendance is only open to railroad employees in Arizona, Western New Mexico, Southeastern California, and the Navajo Nation.
Reminder: Deadline is March 31 James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund applications
As a reminder, applications for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund are due on March 31, 2019. The application process is completely online and all applications must be completed through the online portal found on the Fund’s website: http://www.jrhmsf.org.
Registration open for BLET’s St. Louis regional meeting, June 24-28, 2019
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Mo., June 24-28, 2019.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with TASI for Caltrain engineers
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with Transit America Services Inc. (TASI). Ballots have been mailed to active members of the BLET employed by TASI who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Open enrollment for the BLET Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan coverage
Open Enrollment for the BLET’s Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan through Sun Life will end on February 28, 2019. Those who enroll will have their coverage take effect on March 1, 2019.
RRB announces spring 2019 Pre-Retirement Seminars
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced its schedule of Pre-Retirement Seminars for the spring of 2019.
Runion reelected to fifth term as Chairman of Wyoming State Legislative Board
Cory L. Runion was reelected by acclamation to his fifth term as Chairman of the Wyoming State Legislative Board during its triennial meeting held in Cheyenne, Wyo., February 5-6, 2019.
