Rail Industry News
Missouri Amtrak service to go twice-daily again starting July 19
(Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 2, 2021) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Twice-daily service on Amtrak's Missouri River Runner train between St. Louis and Kansas City will be restored on July 19. Full story: www.masstransitmag.com
CN receives more letters of support for KCS combination
(Source: Canadian National press release, June 1, 2021) MONTREAL — CN and Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) today announced that the overwhelming stakeholder support for their proposed pro-competitive combination continues to grow with more than 400 additional letters of...
Time for a new class exemption for emergency temporary trackage rights?
(Source: Railway Age, June 1, 2021) NEW YORK — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is initiating a rulemaking proceeding to establish a new “emergency temporary trackage rights class exemption” that could be invoked during natural disasters, accidents or...
Amtrak training crews on route of deadly 2017 derailment near DuPont
(Source: KING5, June 2, 2021) TACOMA, Wash. — Amtrak will undergo crew qualification training along the Point Defiance Bypass route until July 25. Full story: www.king5.com
Weekly U.S. coal carloads up 3.1% on week
(Source: S&P Global Platts, June 2, 2021) HOUSTON — Weekly US coal carload originations totaled 66,651 in the week ended May 29, up 3.1% from the previous week and up 44.8% from the year-ago week, Association of American Railroads data showed June 2. Full story: S&P...
AAR: May 2021 traffic results “encouraging”
(Source: Railway Age, June 2, 2021) NEW YORK — Intermodal had the “best January to May period ever” and total carloads for May 2021 “were the most for any month since October 2019 on a weekly average basis,” AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray reported on June 2....
Government of Canada approves changes to improve railway track safety
(Source: Transport Canada press release, May 31, 2021) OTTAWA, Ontario — The Government of Canada is taking action to improve railway track safety to better protect those living and working near Canada’s rail corridors, while also ensuring that railway tracks are in...
NJ Transit brings back dozens of trains as state reopens
(Source: NJ Biz, June 2, 2021) NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Transit said it’s restoring service to nearly 60 rides across the state as the pandemic wanes, restrictions are lifted and summer travel picks up. The service restorations include a dozen trains that will...
PA cities could see 15 new round trips as part of Amtrak proposal
(Source: Pennsylvania Capital-Star, June 2, 2021) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — In March, Amtrak announced its 2035 Vision plan which included proposals to expand and improve rail service throughout America, with more than 30 new routes and better service on more than 20 existing...
Amtrak resumes full service through Erie between Chicago and New York
(Source: YourErie.com, June 1, 2021) ERIE, Pa. — Amtrak announced the resumption of full service through Erie between Chicago and New York. The Lake Shore Limited returned to full service over the Memorial Day weekend. Full story: www.yourerie.com
Amtrak Gulf Coast service: Analyzing the blame game
(Source: Railway Age, June 1, 2021) NEW YORK — Amtrak is attempting to start service between Mobile and New Orleans, along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) oppose Amtrak’s plan, and the issue is now before the Surface Transportation Board...
North American rail supply and China: Why we should be concerned
(Source: Railway Age story by Robert H. Cantwell, June 2, 2021) NEW YORK — Caveat: I am a free-market capitalist who believes in the importance of trade to elevate global prosperity. I believe in comparative advantage, and how countries excel at the supply of certain...
Biden’s 2022 budget would hike funding for Amtrak, passenger rail
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 1, 2021) President Joe Biden’s fiscal-year 2022 budget request includes $88 billion for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to expand passenger-rail and transit service and increase support for low- and no-emissions...
2017 Amtrak derailment near DuPont caused environmental damage, landowner alleges
(Source: The Olympian, May 31, 2021) OLYMPIA, Wash. — A fatal Amtrak derailment near DuPont in 2017 polluted a nearby property that has wetlands and other habitat, a landowner’s lawsuit alleges. Full story: The Olympian
Kenosha business spokesman says CN acquisition of KCS could help local shippers
(Source: Kenosha News, May 29, 2021) KENOSHA, Wisc. — Canadian National Railway’s pending $33.6 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railway would bring expanded export opportunities for Kenosha County manufacturers and processors, local business spokesman say....
CN CEO says KCS acquisition about “following the economy,” not just growing the company
(Source: Financial Post, May 31, 2021) OTTAWA — Executives are the most important economic actors, but that doesn’t automatically make them good stewards of the economy. Full story: Financial Post
CP says opposition grows to proposed CN-KCS voting trust
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, June 1, 2021) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited ("CP") today announced that more than 130 stakeholders have filed statements with the Surface Transportation Board (“STB”) requesting the STB reject Canadian...
America’s Amtrak moment could finally be here
(Source: CNN, May 30, 2021) ATLANTA — Created in 1971 from the creaking remains of the classic US railroads that helped build modern America, Amtrak has often lived a precarious existence. Full story: www.cnn.com
STB to Class Is: Keep reporting demurrage, accessorial charge revenues
(Source: Railway Age, May 28, 2021) NEW YORK — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on May 28 sent identical letters to the Class I railroad CEOs—the second set of letters in as many days—requesting that they continue providing quarterly information about their...
NW Iowa sees 4 derailments in 3 years
(Source: www.nwestiowa.com, May 30, 2021) SIBLEY, Iowa — The Union Pacific Railroad train crash in Sibley on May 16 was one of four derailments in the last three years in the four counties of N’West Iowa. Full story: www.nwestiowa.com
BLET News
BLET Division 183 to host Town Hall meeting in Omaha on June 9
The officers of BLET Division 183 have asked the BLET National Division to advise the membership that they are hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, June 9, 2014. All BLET 183 and 699 Division members, as well as BLET members working in the Western Iowa, Eastern Nebraska area are invited to attend. The Town Hall meeting will provide an opportunity for members to get informed, ask questions and voice concerns.
Nearly 99 percent of BLET members authorize strike
An overwhelming 98.84 percent majority of BLET members working for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have voted to authorize a strike when a mandatory 30-day cooling off period under the Railway Labor Act comes to an end in less than two weeks.
BLET families win 19 Hoffa scholarships for 2013-14 school year
Nineteen BLET families were winners of scholarships from the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund for the 2013-14 academic year, including two top level $10,000 recipients.
Memorial Day 2014
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Since its formal inception in 1868, Memorial Day has been a special day set aside to honor and pay tribute to the men and women who have served in the military and to thank them for defending our country and our way of life.
Hotel rooms going fast for 2014 IWC
Brother Dave Brown, host chairman of this year’s International Western Convention (IWC) in Minneapolis (http://www.2014iwc.org/), reports that hotel rooms are going quickly and he is urging all BLET members who wish to attend to make their room reservations as soon as possible.
BLET’s Western General Chairmen conclude annual meeting
The BLET Western General Chairmen””s Association (WGCA) held its annual meeting in Las Vegas from May 12-14, 2014.
Colorado bill seeks to preserve Amtrak’s Southwest Chief
Last week, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed legislation to preserve the current route of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, helping to secure the jobs of locomotive engineers and other unionized crafts.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi after severe weather caused major damage to homes and property from April 28 through May 6, 2014.
BLET to hold strike authorization vote at SEPTA
National President Dennis R. Pierce announced that preparations are underway to poll members to authorize a strike in the event one becomes necessary to attain the Organization’s bargaining goals at SEPTA.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Arkansas
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Arkansas after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding caused major damage to homes and property on April 27, 2014.
