Rail Industry News
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.
First train pulled by Amtrak’s new, more efficient locomotive headed to Spokane
The first train pulled by Amtrak’s cleaner and more fuel-efficient locomotives pulled out of Chicago’s Union Station on Tuesday en route to Spokane, where it was scheduled to arrive early Thursday before splitting into separate trains bound for Seattle and Portland.
Unions ask government to investigate Class I attendance policies
Two of the nation’s largest railroad unions are asking the federal government to investigate the attendance policies of Class I railroads, guidelines labor leaders say threaten safety because it could force railroaders to work while tired.
CN, CP dispute continues over STB review of KCS merger application
The back-and-forth between CN and Canadian Pacific over the latter’s application for approval of its acquisition of Kansas City Southern is continuing, according to documents filed in recent days with the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
BLET News
BLET congratulates new RRB members, salutes outgoing Labor Member Walt Barrows
On January 2, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nominations of three new members to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board: Erhard R. Chorle, Chairman; Thomas Jayne, Management Member; and Jonathan Bragg, Labor Member.
BLET Advisory Board installed
On January 1, 2019, a new Advisory Board began its four-year term of office for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). National President Dennis R. Pierce convened the Advisory Board on January 1 while retired National Vice President Gil Gore administered the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Oath of Office to all newly elected Officers. The BLET National Division term of office began on January 1, 2019, and runs through December 31, 2022.
BLET members ratify 2-year pact with CN-WC
December 28, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Canadian National’s Wisconsin Central subsidiary (CN-WC). The two-year agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for over 600 members.
Important Changes to the BLET Short-Term Disability Program
Effective January 1, 2019, Sun Life Financial will be replacing MetLife as the insurance carrier for The BLET’s Short-Term Disability Program (“STD Program”). Sun Life Financial (located at One Sun Life Executive Park, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481) is one of America’s leaders in group insurance plans and holds an A+ (“Superior”) ranking from A.M. Best.
BLET members ratify new contract with CF&E
On December 27, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railway (CF&E). The agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for about 40 members.
Former BLET Vice President Willard Knight, 1951-2018
President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2018, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund begins accepting applications from sons and daughters of Teamsters for 2019
The 2019 application process for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) is now open. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2019.
BLET to hold ST training class for LM-2 filers
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a training class for all Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division or State Legislative Board (SLB). The training will take place in San Antonio, Texas, from February 26-28, 2019.
BLET reaches two tentative agreements with Wheeling & Lake Erie
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached two tentative agreements with the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE) — one for the craft of locomotive engineer and one for the craft of trainman. The proposed agreements govern work rules, rates of pay, and health & welfare issues for approximately 75 locomotive engineers and over 130 trainmen.
Laveing new Chairman of Pennsylvania State Legislative Board
Brother Tim M. Laveing was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the BLET’s Pennsylvania State Legislative Board at its fourth quadrennial meeting in Hershey, Pa., on September 10, 2018.
