Rail Industry News
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.
10th Circuit sides with BNSF, blocks Oklahoma fines for blocked railroad crossings
Oklahoma cannot fine railroads for blocking roads, a 10th Circuit panel ruled Tuesday, since the power to regulate train operations rests solely with the Surface Transportation Board under federal law.
Herrera, Buttigieg honor SoCal port workers at event
Teamsters Port Division Director Ron Herrera joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today in lauding workers at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for their work in helping to ease congestion at the nation’s largest port of entry.
More than 300 comments oppose CP-KCS merger
In a short amount of time, 324 suburbanites — and others from throughout the Midwest — voiced almost universal displeasure with a proposed railway merger that would increase freight traffic in the West and Northwest suburbs.
NJ Transit preps to sell junked rail cars damaged by Sandy
A fleet of old Comet III rail cars that NJ Transit sidelined for 13 years in a train yard in Bay Head — and were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy — are about to make their last trip to the scrap yard.
The plan for an Amtrak station in Columbus, Ohio
An Amtrak station could come to the Greater Columbus Convention Center if the city’s goal of bringing passenger rail to Columbus stays on track.
Part 1 of 4: A temporary victory for high-speed rail in Texas
When is a railroad not a railroad? Maybe “when it’s getting started in Texas.”
Montana Rail Link to end operations, with BNSF taking over
BNSF has committed to retain all union and non-union employees of MRL in their current jobs with similar pay, benefits, seniority, and other terms of employment, MRL said.
STB updates details for CSX-Pan Am merger hearing
The public hearing will be entirely virtual, via Zoom, and begin at 9:30 a.m. ET on Jan. 13 and then continue Jan. 14 to accommodate all speakers.
Panelist: CP-KCS merger will get a long look by STB
A panel on rail consolidation at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board here weighed in on the proposed merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern, with one member suggesting the deal faces significant scrutiny despite success in the initial stages.
T&I Committee Republicans oppose rollback of LNG by rail rule
Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) have informed the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of their “serious concerns” regarding the Biden administration’s proposal to suspend authorization of the bulk transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail.
KCS capacity focus shifts to Texas
Kansas City Southern will shift much of its focus on capacity improvements from Mexico to the U.S. in 2022 while overall capital spending will increase “on the magnitude of 10% or so.”
Tunnel project underscores BNSF’s battle with nature in 2021
Extreme weather and natural disasters took a broad toll on railroads in 2021, and BNSF Railway was certainly not exempt.
UP nearing purchase of battery-electrics for yard tests, CEO says
Union Pacific is nearing agreements to purchase battery-electric locomotives for tests in yard use, CEO Lance Fritz says, with plans to try the locomotives in one cold-weather location and one warm-weather site.
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...
BNSF ethanol cars derail and burn near Lubbock, Texas
train has derailed and caught fire outside of Vernon, near Oklaunion. According to an official with BNSF Railway, 28 of the 98 cars on the train derailed at approximately 10 a.m. this morning. As of 5:32 p.m., 25 of the derailed cars carrying ethanol were on fire. There are no reported injuries to crewmembers.
LNG by rail: Temporary reg rollback under review
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) proposed temporary suspension of its regulations authorizing the transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail have prompted not only the Railway Supply Institute to weigh in, but also the Republican members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a coalition of attorneys general from 14 states and Washington, D.C.; all submitted comments on the agency’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released late last year.
BLET News
Deadline for hotel reservations is July 7 for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting
With the deadline for room reservations less than a week away, BLET members and guests are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the BLET’s regional meeting in Washington, D.C.. It will be held August 13-17, 2018, at the Capital Hilton (1001 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20036, (800) 774-1500).
BLET fighting for members’ jobs at the US/Mexican border
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce and BLET Texas Mexican Railway (Tex Mex) General Chairman Chris Heise today rejected a plan by Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS) to replace American crews with Mexican crews in Laredo, Texas, setting the stage for a BLET strike on the Tex Mex at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 9.
BLET kicks off Monterey regional meeting
Approximately 200 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and their families convened here this morning for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s first regional meeting of 2018.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, Union Railroad agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Union Railroad. Ballots were mailed on June 15 to active members of the BLET employed by the Union Railroad who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Plan ahead for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting
With the deadline for room reservations less than a month away, BLET members and guests are encouraged to register now for the BLET’s regional meeting in Washington, D.C.. It will be held August 13-17, 2018, at the Capital Hilton (1001 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20036, (800) 774-1500).
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, Illinois & Midland agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad. Ballots were mailed on June 8 to active members of the BLET employed by Illinois & Midland who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET members ratify CN-IC contract
By a better than 2-to-1 margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Canadian National’s former Illinois Central property on May 30, 2018.
Memorial Day 2018
Over the past 155 years, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has seen too many of our union members go off to war and not come home.
Groose elected Chairman of Missouri State Legislative Board
Calvin L. Groose was elected the new Chairman of the Missouri State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Jefferson, Mo., May 6-8, 2018.
Tim Price reelected Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman
Timothy T. Price was reelected by acclamation to his first full term as Chairman of the Ohio State Legislative Board at the Board’s 16th quadrennial meeting held in Columbus, Ohio, April 22-24, 2018.
