Rail Industry News
New railcar design aims to reduce industry’s emissions
Moving freight by rail is the most environmentally friendly mode of ground transport, with the average U.S. railroad moving one ton of freight 470 miles per gallon of fuel. A new type of railcar aims to further improve the industry’s footprint.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending January 8, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 440,761 carloads and intermodal units, down 16 percent compared with the same week last year.
BNSF and NS may seek trackage rights over KCS as part of CPKC merger
BNSF and NS may both seek trackage rights over KCS routes in order to preserve competition as part of the proposed CP-KCS merger.
CP responds to CN’s plan to ask the STB to force sale of KCS Springfield Line
Canadian Pacific today issued the following statement in response to CN’s Notice of Intent to file a Responsive Application asking the STB force a divestiture of KCS’s lines east of Kansas City as part of the STB regulatory review of CP’s proposed combination with Kansas City Southern…
LA train tracks blanketed in empty boxes as thieves target cargo containers
A section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles has been littered with thousands of shredded boxes, packages stolen from cargo containers that stop in the area to unload.
Railroad employee with safety concern has retaliation judgment reinstated
A railroad inspector who was fired shortly after reporting that wearing a seat belt while driving a “hy-rail vehicle” could be dangerous had a valid retaliation claim, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.
Oklahoma can’t put time limits on trains blocking streets, federal appeals court rules
Oklahoma’s 10-minute limit on trains blocking city streets violates the federal government’s authority to regulate rail carriers and tracks, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
CN to report Q4 and full year 2021 results on January 25
CN will issue its fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 financial and operating results after the market close on January 25, 2022.
Brightline to start testing crews for Central Florida run
A launch of passenger train travel along Florida’s central coast and on to Orlando becomes one step closer to reality next week when Brightline, the high-speed railroad, starts crew training along its expansion route to Cocoa.
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...
Rail Labor unions applaud Senate confirmation of FRA Administrator Amit Bose
We welcome Mr. Bose’s stewardship of the FRA at this pivotal moment in the history of the domestic rail industry and rail labor.
Double-digit losses for U.S. carloads and intermodal for week ending January 8, 2022
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jan. 8, 2022, came in at 440,761 carloads and intermodal units, dropping 16% from the same week last year, based on 210,020 carloads—down 10.6% from 2021—and intermodal volume of 230,741 containers and trailers—down 20.4%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Jan. 12.
CN to request STB condition any approval of CP-KCS merger on divestiture of KCS Springfield Line to CN
CN’s responsive application will ask the STB to condition any approval of a CP-KCS merger on the divestiture of KCS lines from Kansas City, Missouri to Springfield and East St. Louis, Illinois (the “Springfield Line”) to CN, pursuant to the STB’s statutory authority to order “the divestiture of parallel tracks” as a merger condition.
MRL employees to stay in Helena, BNSF says
After announcing plans to take over Montana Rail Link, BNSF Railway Co. officials said they will keep the MRL employees now working in Helena and at their current locations throughout the state.
“Insult to injury:” Record rail demurrage adds to shipper costs
Railroads set a new record in 2021 — but not a favorable one from a shipper’s perspective.
New NS president admits problems, promises solutions
Alan Shaw, the new President of Norfolk Southern, introduced himself to the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers with a statement he clearly would have preferred to avoid.
NS train crew meets the new boss
New Norfolk Southern President Alan Shaw showed a nice touch of self-deprecating humor in his Wednesday luncheon speech before MARS and the Traffic Club of Chicago, as demonstrated with his description of his first interaction with NS crew members after his promotion.
Amtrak unveils commemorative locomotive for Operation Lifesaver’s 50th anniversary
A specially-painted Amtrak P-42 diesel locomotive, emblazoned on both sides with the message, “See Tracks? Think Train!” was released into service today during a special ceremony at Washington Union Station. The black-and-yellow locomotive commemorates the 50th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing railroad safety education and awareness nationwide.
MRL rails returning to BNSF
After more than 30 years of operating BNSF-owned main line between Huntley, Mont., and Sandpoint, Idaho, Montana Rail Link (MRL) reported on Jan. 10 that it is ceasing its long-term lease with the Class I.
BLET News
BLET files joint comments regarding rail industry automation
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) was one of five rail Brotherhoods to file joint comments on May 7 in response to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) March 29 Request For Information (RFI) regarding automation in the railroad industry.
Deadline is less than a week away for BLET’s Monterey regional meeting
BLET members and guests planning to attend the BLET’s regional meeting in Monterey, Calif., have just under a week to make their hotel reservations. The meeting will take place June 18-22, and room reservations must be made by May 17.
Ryan Snow reelected to second term as Chairman of California State Legislative Board
Ryan K. Snow was reelected to his second term as Chairman of the California State Legislative Board during the Board’s 8th quadrennial session in Lake Tahoe, Calif., April 24-26, 2018.
BLET marks 155th anniversary
On May 8, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) proudly marked its 155th anniversary. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863 in Marshall, Mich. In 1864, the union changed its name to Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), the name it retained for 140 years until merging with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Jan. 1, 2004, when it became the BLET. The BLET is the oldest labor union in the Western Hemisphere.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, CN-IC agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Canadian National’s former Illinois Central property. Ballots were mailed earlier this week to active members of the BLET employed by CN-IC who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Pierce, Pruitt and Joynt elected to lead Teamsters Rail Conference
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was reelected by acclamation to his third term as President of the Teamsters Rail Conference at the Rail Conference’s Fourth Quadrennial Convention in Las Vegas on May 2, 2018.
Tell Your Member of Congress to Co- Sponsor the Butch Lewis Act
Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa is asking all fellow Teamsters to do their part to help protect pensions in America. The multiemployer pension system has for many decades been an essential foundation for providing financial security in retirement for millions of Americans and their families. Now, through no fault of the beneficiaries, the earned pension benefits of millions of retirees are being threatened due to the impending financial insolvency of a number of multiemployer plans.
Deadline looms for BLET’s Monterey regional meeting
The hotel registration deadline is coming soon for those planning to attend the BLET’s regional meeting at the Hyatt Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif., June 18-22, 2018.
Workers Memorial Day 2018
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Every year, too many American workers are injured or killed in on-the-job accidents. Countless others get sick or become disabled because of workplace exposures to hazardous materials and conditions. Each year on April 28, we recognize Workers Memorial Day to commemorate and honor these workers and renew the fight for safe workplaces.
BLET reaches tentative contract with Indiana Rail Road
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a Tentative Agreement with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 54 operating employees.
