Rail Industry News
Short line companies outline capital plans
Along with participation by six Class I railroads and a number of other entities, the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association Conference that concluded Saturday featured presentations from three major short line companies.
Operation Lifesaver releases first of 12 online track safety trivia games to celebrate its 50th anniversary
Operation Lifesaver, the national non-profit rail safety education organization, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2022.
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...
Intermodal down for 22nd straight week as AAR reports rail traffic for December and the week ending January 1, 2022
Railway Age reported on January 5 that this marked the 22nd consecutive week of intermodal losses.
Amtrak pledges support for CP-KCS combination after reaching deal for service expansions
CP has committed to maintaining its industry-leading role as a host railroad and to cooperating with Amtrak to implement its long-term strategic vision to bring new and expanded intercity passenger rail service to more North Americans.
BNSF leads industry in traffic growth during 2021; CSX at No. 2
BNSF Railway led the big six Class I railroads in growth in 2021, a year in which rail volume rebounded from the pandemic-related lows of 2020 yet struggled to overcome kinks in the global supply chain.
Norfolk Southern sets siding, terminal improvements in capital plan
Siding extensions and intermodal-terminal upgrades highlight the capacity-improvement aspects of Norfolk Southern’s 2022 capital spending plan, as outlined Thursday by the railroad’s vice president of engineering, Ed Boyle.
Reciprocal switching poses risk to rail network, UP CEO says
Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz isn’t sure what direction the Surface Transportation Board will take as it considers rules for reciprocal switching, but says the decision poses real risks for the rail industry.
CP to report Q4 2021 results on January 27, 2022
Canadian Pacific will release its fourth-quarter 2021 financial and operating results after the market close on Jan. 27, 2022.
CP agreement could fast-track second Amtrak train from St. Paul to Chicago
A proposed $31 billion acquisition involving two freight rail giants won’t imperil plans to add a second daily passenger train trip between St. Paul and Chicago — and could mean that service will begin sooner than expected.
New Detroit-Toronto Amtrak route proposed
Amtrak has announced support for the Canadian Pacific railway’s combination with the Kansas City Southern railway, which adds a route from Detroit to Toronto.
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...
For 2021, intermodal “record” collapses in second half
In 2021, U.S. intermodal’s “record-setting” first half gave way to a lower second half as supply chain challenges persisted, reported the Association of American Railroads on Jan. 5; December volumes continued the downward trend, coming in 8.2% lower than the prior-year period, according to AAR figures.
Five pedestrian deaths in one month for Florida’s Brightline
A Brightline higher-speed train fatally struck a pedestrian who walked into its path Tuesday, the fifth death involving the railroad since it recently resumed operations after being shutdown because of the pandemic.
NJ Transit reform bill 2.0 is unlikely to pass this session
Despite compromise and a year and a half of work, Sen. Loretta Weinberg’s last-ditch effort to secure additional reform and accountability for NJ Transit appears unlikely to pass before her term ends next week.
Dubuque businesses join city leaders in opposing CP-KCS merger
Some businesses are now joining Dubuque city leaders in opposing a possible merger of two railroad companies.
Officials say recent STB decision on Utah rail project “pours gasoline” on climate emergency
The Surface Transportation Board recently approved a new rail line in Utah, and officials can’t say enough against it.
Work to electrify Mexican railroad begins
Work to supply electric power to the Mérida-Cancún stretch of Mexico’s Maya Train will begin this month at an estimated cost of $73.7 million.
BLET News
Registration open for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting; Monterey registration continues
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., August 13-17, 2018, and registration continues for the BLET’s Monterey regional meeting, June 18-22, 2018.
Registration continues for BLET’s Monterey regional meeting
Registration continues for those planning to attend the BLET’s regional meeting at the Hyatt Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif., June 18-22, 2018.
BLET General Committees sue to halt BNSF abrogation of contracts
Three BLET General Committees of Adjustment (GCAs) on BNSF Railway filed suit yesterday in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado to stop BNSF’s unilateral consolidation of road freight service between Denver and Cheyenne, La Junta, Pueblo, Sterling, and Trinidad; and between Trinidad and Denver/Texline.
FRA Administrator Ron Batory addresses BLET Advisory Board, State Legislative Board Chairmen
The BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) kicked off its 43rd annual meeting in New Orleans on March 12, 2018. Ron Batory, the newly-confirmed Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), delivered remarks to the group, with the BLET’s Executive Committee and Advisory Board also in attendance.
Potential fraud alert: United Healthcare members receiving scam calls
It has been brought to our attention that some United Healthcare members have received unsolicited phone calls from Tennessee and Georgia area codes from individuals posing as United Healthcare representatives. These calls have been identified as a scam.
Registration open for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., August 13-17, 2018.
Alan Holdcraft reelected BNSF (former ATSF) General Chairman
J. Alan Holdcraft was reelected by acclamation to his third term as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former ATSF) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s triennial meeting in San Diego, Calif.
Registration continues for BLET Legislative Representatives training class in July
Classroom slots are still available for the BLET Education & Training Department’s training class for BLET Division Legislative Representatives, which will be held in Washington, D.C. from July 10-12, 2018.
BLET reaches tentative contract with Connecticut Southern
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a Tentative Agreement with the Connecticut Southern Railroad (CSOR) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for operating employees.
California HSR: Successful economies demand effective transportation systems
The following is a statement by Dennis Pierce, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, regarding the California High Speed Rail Authority’s 2018 Business Plan.
