Rail Industry News
BNSF locomotive catches fire in North Dakota
It appears a mechanical failure was the cause. No injuries were reported.
Q&A: RRB reports performance under customer service plan
The Railroad Retirement Board’s Customer Service Plan promotes the following principles of quality public service: openness, accessibility, accountability, feedback, and timeliness standards.
Get the latest labor news from the Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters updates the news section of its website each day with the latest regarding the Teamsters, domestic and global labor and trade issues, state and living wage battles, social justice, the War on Workers, and many other important...
BLET says BNSF move toward new attendance policy violates Railway Labor Act
BNSF Railway’s plans to institute a new attendance policy while a new labor agreement is under negotiation is contrary to the terms of the Railway Labor Act, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen argues in a new court filing.
KCS sees opportunities for “productivity gains when volume recoveries occur”
Although refined products volumes to Mexico have been curtailed by a government crackdown on companies seeking to avoid paying taxes, Kansas City Southern still expects growth opportunities for shipping imported refined products into Mexico in the long term, KCS executives told investors Thursday while they were on a fourth-quarter 2021 earnings call earnings call with Canadian Pacific.
U.S. DOT announces availability of $1.5 billion in RAISE Grants
The popular program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact.
STB to AAR: Sorry, no extension in reciprocal switching case
The Surface Transportation Board on Jan. 28 issued a decision denying a request from the Association of American Railroads to extend the procedural schedule in Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 1) et al., Reciprocal Switching; regarding the Board’s NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) on reciprocal switching regulations.
Union Pacific addresses ongoing safety issue of stopped trains blocking roads in Houston area
Houston-area residents have voiced concerns for years about stopped trains blocking major roads. Representatives with Union Pacific Railroad met with Houston City Council to see what can be done to address the problem.
UP to purchase 20 battery-electric locomotives for testing in yard operations
Union Pacific Railroad plans to purchase 20 battery-electric locomotives for testing in yard operations.
More than 80 years ago, California had steam high-speed rail
More than 80 years ago, California got a glimpse of high-speed rail with Santa Fe steam engine No. 3751.
Q&A: RRB reports performance under customer service plan 1
The Railroad Retirement Board’s Customer Service Plan promotes the following principles of quality public service: openness, accessibility, accountability, feedback, and timeliness standards.
Get the latest labor news from the Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters updates the news section of its website each day with the latest regarding the Teamsters, domestic and global labor and trade issues, state and living wage battles, social justice, the War on Workers, and many other important...
CP reports Q4 and full-year 2021 results
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today announced its fourth-quarter results, including revenues of $2.04 billion, operating ratio (“OR”) of 59.2 percent, adjusted OR of 57.5 percent, diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.74 and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.95.
U.S. Class Is employed more people than last month
U.S. Class Is employed 114,499 people in mid-December 2021, a 0.48% increase compared with mid-November’s employment level, but down 2.78% compared with the same month in 2020, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending January 22, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 477,462 carloads and intermodal units, down 9.8 percent compared with the same week last year.
CP opposes Class I requests for KCS merger concessions
Other Class I railroads should not be able to use the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger process as a way to improve their competitive positions, CP CEO Keith Creel says.
JB Hunt invests in intermodal as rail congestion hampers operations
Rail congestion is hampering J.B. Hunt’s performance, President of Intermodal Darren Field said on an earnings call Tuesday.
NS installs hybrid cranes at Chicago, Atlanta intermodal terminals
Norfolk Southern Railway has installed five new diesel-electric hybrid overhead gantry cranes at its Chicago Landers and Atlanta Inman intermodal terminals.
RRB Q&A: Annuitants may need to increase tax withholding at age 62
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, December 21, 2021) CHICAGO — Certain portions of a railroad retirement annuity are treated differently for Federal income tax purposes. The following questions and answers explain these differences and address the...
Get the latest labor news from the Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters updates the news section of its website each day with the latest regarding the Teamsters, domestic and global labor and trade issues, state and living wage battles, social justice, the War on Workers, and many other important...
BLET News
Delegates wrap up October 1 afternoon session at BLET Fourth National Convention
The Fourth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) continued here this afternoon with more inspiring speeches and reports by the various standing committees.
‘United, Moving Forward:’ President Pierce addresses BLET delegates at Fourth National Convention
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce delivered the Report of the National President today to conclude the morning session of the BLET’s Fourth National Convention. With the theme of “United, Moving Forward,” President Pierce’s report focused on to two general areas: the major accomplishments of the Brotherhood over the past four years since the Third National Convention concluded in 2014; and what challenges lie ahead for the organization.
BLET Fourth National Convention begins
The Fourth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) opened here this morning with energetic presentations from Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa, Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, and BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce. Over 400 delegates are in session representing more than 57,000 locomotive engineers, trainmen and non-operating craft members on national freight and passenger rail systems across the United States.
Final preparations underway for BLET’s Fourth National Convention
Convention planners are working at a fevered pitch to make final preparations for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s Fourth National Convention, which is slated to begin on Monday, October 1.
Dick Crow reelected UP-Northern Region General Chairman
R.E. (Dick) Crow was elected to his second full term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Northern Region General Committee of Adjustment during the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 26-27, 2018.
Piekarski elected to third term as Illinois SLB Chairman
Paul Piekarski was elected to his third full term as Chairman of the Illinois State Legislative Board at the Board’s 15th quadrennial meeting in Springfield, Ill., September 5-7, 2018.
UP-WL General Chairman Brian Carr elected by acclamation
Brother Brian P. Carr was elected by acclamation to his first full term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in San Diego, Calif., September 17-19, 2018.
Shane Hubbard elected chairman of Indiana State Legislative Board
Shane Hubbard was elected Chairman of the Indiana State Legislative Board at its 14th Quadrennial Meeting in Indianapolis, September 12-13, 2018.
Bipartisan group of 27 U.S. legislators urge DOT’s Chao to block KCS safety waiver that allows Mexican train crews to operate in U.S.
On September 17, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Ranking Member Michael Capuano (D-MA) sent a bipartisan letter, signed by 27 Members of Congress, to Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao expressing opposition to a petition filed by Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR) requesting a waiver of critical Federal safety and inspection requirements.
BLET President Pierce addresses TCRC delegates in Vancouver
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was the opening speaker today as the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference’s (TCRC) Fourth Quadrennial Convention got underway in Vancouver, B.C.
