Rail Industry News
Railroads expand service into non-traditional markets
(Source: Journal of Commerce, June 30, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Journal of Commerce reports that North American railroads are looking to stay competitive by seeking out various new ways to generate revenue. Full story: www.joc.com
DOT announces $527 million in funding for new round of popular TIGER grant program
(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation press release, June 30, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that $527 million will be available for a third round of the highly successful TIGER (Transportation Investment...
AAR: Railroads report mixed weekly rail traffic
(Source: Association of American Railroads, June 30, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads originating 284,562 carloads for the week ending June 25, 2011, down 0.2 percent...
Public relations firm resigns from Calif. high-speed rail project
(Source: Los Angeles Times, June 30, 2011) LOS ANGELES — Amid questions about its performance and billings, a public relations firm that won a $9 million contract to promote California's high-speed rail project has resigned. According to the Los Angeles Times, the...
Florida Governor approves SunRail project for Orlando area
(Source: The Associated Press, July 1, 2011) ORLANDO, Fla. — In an announcement made earlier today, Florida Governor Rick Scott has given his approval for the $1.2 billion SunRail project, Central Florida's proposed commuter rail system. Full story: Miami Herald
Amtrak sues trucking company over fatal crash
(Source: Reuters, June 30, 2011) LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Amtrak is suing the trucking company involved in the June 24 collision in rural Nevada that left six people dead and more than 20 injured. It is the second lawsuit filed against the trucking company in the wake of...
BLET National Division office closed on Independence Day
CLEVELAND, July 1 — In observance of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, the BLET National Division headquarters will be closed on Monday, July 4. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, July 5. BLET National President Dennis Pierce extends best wishes to all...
Railroad trade group AAR spent $1.6 million lobbying in first quarter
(Source: Associated Press, June 30, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads spent $1.6 million in the first quarter to lobby the federal government on antitrust legislation, emissions, homeland security, and funding for the Surface...
BNSF spent $1.5 million lobbying in first quarter
(Source: Associated Press, June 30, 2011) FORT WORTH, Texas — The BNSF Railway spent $1.5 million on lobbying in the first quarter of 2011. It was the most of any Berkshire Hathaway unit. The railroad lobbied regarding railroad antitrust rules, requirements for...
Union Pacific spent $1.2 million lobbying in first quarter
(Source: Forbes.com, June 29, 2011) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific spend $1.23 million lobbying the federal government in the first quarter of 2011. The company lobbied on issues such as railroad regulations, pollution rules, and the U.S. budget. It represents an...
DOT announces $101.4 million to promote clean-fuel technologies in transit
(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation press release, June 29, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that transit providers will be able to compete for a share of $101.4 million in federal funding by proposing innovative...
Amtrak again suspends service on Empire Builder
(Source: Seattle Times, June 29, 2011) SEATTLE — Flooding has once again disrupted Amtrak's Empire Builder between Seattle and Chicago. Specifically, service between St. Paul, Minn., and Havre, Mont., have been suspended until further notice. Full story: Seattle...
CSX to introduce ultra-low emission locomotive at Selkirk Yard
Full story: Albany Times-Union ALBANY, N.Y. — CSX, along with various government officials, will introduce a new ultra-low emission GenSet locomotive at Selkirk Yard outside of Albany, N.Y., today at 10 a.m. Full story: Albany Times-Union
Tough-luck Amtrak survivors tie the knot
(Source: Associated Press, June 29, 2011) RENO, Nevada — A British couple has finally gotten married following a string of unfortunate incidents during their eight-week trip throughout the United States. They faced tornado warnings in New York, record heat in New...
Nevada judge orders Amtrak crash evidence protected
(Source: Associated Press, June 29, 2011) RENO, Nevada — A Nevada judge issued a protective order prohibiting the destruction or disposal of any evidence relating to the fatal June 24 collision involving a tractor trailer and Amtrak's California Zephyr. Six people...
Amtrak sues trucking company over fatal crash
(Source: Las Vegas Sun, June 29, 2011) LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The Las Vegas Sun reports that Amtrak is suing the trucking company involved in the June 24 collision in rural Nevada that left six people dead and more than 20 injured. It is the second lawsuit filed against...
Lawmakers butt heads in high-speed rail debate
(Source: National Public Radio, June 28, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Public Radio featured a broadcast about the future of Amtrak and high-speed rail in America. Featured in the segment are Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman and U.S. Representatives Nick...
DOT announces $562.9 million loan for 70 new Amtrak locomotives to run NEC
(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation press release, June 29, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a $562.9 million loan to Amtrak under the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Rehabilitation and...
California BLET members know rail suicides leave a mark
(Source: San Francisco Examiner, June 30, 2011) SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — In interviews with the San Francisco Examiner, two BLET members explain the trauma that locomotive engineers suffer following suicides on the rails. Brother Tim Smith, Chairman of the California...
In Ohio, pro-union coalition delivers 1.3 million signatures for SB 5 referendum
(Source: Columbus Dispatch, June 29, 2011) COLUMBUS, Ohio — A pro-union coalition has delivered nearly 1.3 million signatures to overturn Ohio's Senate Bill 5, the anti-union bill that would strip unions of their collective bargaining rights. A parade of 6,000...
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