Rail Industry News
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.
A-USA rail corridor: Alabama’s supply chain fix has been a long time coming
The recent announcement of a new “Alabama-USA” rail corridor holds out the tantalizing, and lucrative, possibility that the state could help solve the nation’s supply-chain problems. But it also illuminates an awkward reality
Police pull pilot from plane moments before train crash
A pilot who crashed a small plane onto railroad tracks was pulled alive from the wreck by a group of Los Angeles Police officers just moments before a Metrolink commuter train roared through, authorities said.
More freight trains could be coming to Chicago area, and that has communities and Metra concerned about delays
A proposed railroad merger would mean more freight trains in the Chicago area, and Metra and some communities say residents could feel the effects.
BLET News
BLET to host Local Chairman class in November 2018
The BLET Education and Training Department will host a Local Chairman training class from November 11-15, 2018, at the BLET National Division headquarters and Training Center in Independence, Ohio. This class is a rescheduling of the April class. The class is designed to help Local Chairmen develop and hone the skills necessary to provide the best representation possible to our members. Due to the upcoming triennial elections and the convention later this year, the November class will be the only class for Local Chairmen in 2018.
RRB announces additional 2018 informational conferences
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced additional dates for the agency’s 2018 informational conferences
Trumble elected to second term as Michigan State Legislative Board Chairman
B.J. Trumble was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Michigan State Legislative Board at the Board’s Fourth Quadrennial meeting in Lansing, Mich., March 19-20, 2018.
BLET preparing comments on automation in the railroad industry; Members can also give their input
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is currently drafting comments in response to a request by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding automation in the railroad industry. The notice was published in the Federal Register on March 22, 2018, and the comments are due no later than May 7, 2018.
Plan ahead for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting
The deadline for room reservations is less than three months away, but BLET members and guests are encouraged to register now for the BLET’s regional meeting at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., August 13-17, 2018. Also, registration is continuing for the BLET’s Monterey regional meeting, June 18-22, 2018.
Teamster rail unions join with Mexican union to endorse NAFTA improvements
The Teamsters’ rail conferences in the U.S. and Canada today joined with unionized Mexican freight rail workers in calling for the inclusion of language in a revamped North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that would ensure that all industry workers on the continent are treated fairly and equitably.
BLET reaches tentative contract with New England Central
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a Tentative Agreement with the New England Central Railroad (NECR) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 35 operating employees.
Reminder: May 17 is the deadline for hotel reservations at BLET’s Monterey regional meeting
BLET members and guests attending the BLET’s regional meeting in Monterey, Calif., have just over a month to make their hotel reservations. The meeting will take place from June 18-22, 2018, and hotel reservations must be made by May 17.
BLET members ratify Amtrak contract
By better than a 9-to-1 margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak on April 2, 2018.
Elections Have Consequences – the Wheeling & Lake Erie Saga
By Dennis R. Pierce, National President My last article detailed an attack by the Indiana legislature on the rights provided by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act to railroad workers who are injured or killed as a result of negligence by their railroad employer. This article is to update you on a years-old struggle being waged by 180 active BLET locomotive engineers and trainmen who work for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE).
