Rail Industry News
Filibuster derails proposal to require two-person crews on trains in Nebraska
A filibuster stretching over three days derailed a proposal Friday to require two-person crews on trains operated by major railroads in Nebraska.
FRA issues Emergency Order shutting down Oklahoma short line
The Federal Railroad Administration issued a rare emergency order shutting down an Oklahoma short line following the discovery of multiple derailments and safety violations. In an emergency order posted this week, the FRA alleged that the continued operation of the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad posed an “imminent threat” to public safety.
A year after East Palestine, rail industry blocks new safety rules
Publicly, Norfolk Southern and its peers have pledged to work with lawmakers on the bill. But the companies have still labored to severely weaken or eliminate some of its core provisions, according to 15 lawmakers, congressional aides, union officials and others, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.
STB modifies performance requirements for Class I railroads
The agency is keeping in place a requirement that Class I railroads provide monthly data on hiring and retention plans, and also provide an additional update containing labor force targets. In addition, the railroads are being directed to continue to submit data about trainees in their monthly employment data.
A year on, a small Ohio town is recovering from a fiery train derailment but health fears persist
Daily life largely returned to normal for most of the nearly 5,000 residents of East Palestine, Ohio, months after a Norfolk Southern train derailed and spilled a cocktail of hazardous chemicals that caught fire a year ago, but the worries and fears are always there.
Buttigieg and labor leaders urge Congress to pass railroad safety legislation
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the leaders of all 13 railroad labor unions today urged Congress to tighten rail safety regulations as the one-year anniversary of the disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, approaches.
New videos show towers of fire from vent and burn procedure in East Palestine
Residents of eastern Ohio can now get an up-close view in newly released videos of the twin toxic towers of fire that forced them from their homes last February after officials decided to blow open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride they worried might explode days after a Norfolk Southern train derailed.
President Biden accepts mayor’s invitation to visit East Palestine
President Joe Biden will visit the eastern Ohio community that was devastated by a fiery train derailment almost one year ago.
Norfolk Southern first big freight railway to let workers use anonymous federal safety hotline
About 1,000 engineers and conductors who work for Norfolk Southern will soon be able to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without any fear of discipline.
Video: Norfolk Southern employees in Roanoke to join C3RS safety pilot program
“It’s a good deal. And it’s a big deal,” said Scott Bunten, General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
Report: Activist investor group eyes Norfolk Southern
An activist investor group has taken a $1 billion stake in Norfolk Southern and aims to wrest control of the company’s board and oust CEO Alan Shaw, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
AAR: Carloads up, intermodal down for week ending January 27, 2024
Total carloads came in at 208,131, down 9.0% from 2023, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 259,091 containers and trailers, up 10.1% from 2023.
STB extends reporting of railroad employment data for BNSF, CSX, NS and UP
The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision that extends the temporary reporting of employment data through the end of the year.
FRA issues Final Rule requiring emergency escape breathing apparatuses in trains carrying hazmat
The rule requires railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses (EEBAs) for train crew members and other employees who could be exposed to an inhalation hazard in the event of a hazardous material, or hazmat, release.
Union Pacific: uncertainty clouds freight outlook as carrier reports Q4, full-year 2023 results
For the quarter, operating income was flat, at $2.4 billion, on flat revenues of $6.1 billion. Earnings per share grew 1% to $2.71.
Norfolk Southerns’ Q4 2023 profit falls 33% as East Palestine derailment costs continue to grow
The railroad delivered 3% more shipments during the quarter, but even without the costs related to that toxic crash, its profits still would have been down 14%.
Buttigieg calls on Congress to pass rail safety bill
Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently pressed Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen rail safety policies. Ideally, he emphasized, congressional action on the measure would occur before the anniversary of the derailment of a freight train in East Palestine, Ohio.
Norfolk Southern cutting 7% of management positions
Norfolk Southern told employees today that it will eliminate 7% of its management and staff positions as a cost-cutting move.
Railroads seek to head off Mexican bridge closures as cross-border traffic grows
Railroad executives will meet with U.S. and Mexican customs officials next month to discuss how they can work together to keep vital rail border crossings open amid the surge in migrants crossing the Rio Grande.
Senate confirms three Amtrak board members
The U.S. Senate has confirmed attorney Anthony Coscia, Aviation Strategies President Joel Szabat, and Normal, Illinois, Mayor Christopher Koos as members of Amtrak’s board.
BLET News
BLET members ratify quality of life agreement with Belt Railway of Chicago
For the first time, BLET members will have paid sick days and access to the company’s 401k program under the new quality of life agreement.BLET members ratified a new quality of life agreement with the Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) in late March. ____________________...
Arizona: Excessive train length a factor in recent train heists, President Hall says in television interview
In a recent television interview, BLET National President Eddie Hall said excessive train length is a factor in the ongoing problem of train robberies in the American southwest. In an interview with television station Fox 10 News in Phoenix, President Hall said that...
Texas: BLET delivers expert testimony on grade crossing separation bill
BLET Texas SLB Chairman Ben Wright prepares to deliver testimony in favor of Texas Senate Bill 1555. ____________________ The BLET is working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Texas to make railroad grade crossings safer following the death of a Houston high...
Nevada: BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen wrap up 50th annual meeting
Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC), meeting in Las Vegas, concluded their 50th annual meeting On April 3rd. The NASLBC has met each year since 1975 to hear from each State Chairman about railroad-related safety and...
Wisconsin: BLET and Teamster-backed judge Susan Crawford wins election
Susan Crawford, center, speaking at an election night event. ____________________ On April 1, pro-union candidate Susan Crawford won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, securing a 3-2 pro-worker majority. A proven labor advocate, Crawford is committed to protecting...
Two injured in CSXT remote control collision in Baltimore
A remote control incident in July 2024 caused a CSXT locomotive to crash into a residential neighborhood in Niagara Falls, N.Y. ____________________ Baltimore television station WBAL reports that a collision between two CSXT trains at the Curtis Bay Yard in Baltimore...
Follow-up on CSXT’S zero-to-zero plan: Field reports from BLET members document safety flaws with Trip Optimizer
As documented by a BLET member, Trip Optimizer’s handling of a train caused excessive slack action, which resulted in a violent separation that ripped out this drawbar and initiated an emergency brake application. ___________________ As reported in March, the BLET...
In a unanimous vote, BLET-backed grade crossing bill is passed by NM House of Representatives
The New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously passed a rail safety bill in March designed to address the ongoing problem of blocked grade crossings in the state. Members of the BLET’s New Mexico State Legislative Board (NM SLB) spent significant time and effort...
Cleveland: Doug Davidson retires after 50+ years; Dan Lucansky new Director of Arbitration for the BLET National Division
A Rail Labor institution on the National Railroad Adjustment Board retired effective Monday, March 31. BLET Director of Arbitration Doug Davidson, who also serves as the NRAB's Vice Chairman, is pulling the pin after a railroad career that spanned 51 years. His...
Philadelphia: BLET member and SEPTA locomotive engineer found murdered; GoFundMe created to assist his three children
In a shocking development for the close-knit members of BLET Division 71 who operate regional rail trains for SEPTA, locomotive engineer Jordan Baxter was found dead in his driveway on March 19. Jordan Baxter had been a member of Division 71 in Philadelphia for 10...
