Rail Industry News
FRA, FTA say $11.6 billion NYC-area tunnel project reaches milestones
(Source: Reuters, May 28, 2021) NEW YORK — Two U.S. agencies on Friday said a planned $11.6 billion project to reconstruct and add a new tunnel between New York City and New Jersey reached two key milestones that will allow it to advance and receive federal funding....
Buttigieg touts commuter rail, other infrastructure investments in Biden’s American Jobs Plan
(Source: Indiana Statesman, May 29, 2021) TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is optimistic a deal will be struck to advance Democratic President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan through Congress, paving the way for unprecedented...
Amtrak expansion expected to increase rail service to more than 160 additional communities by 2035
(Source: Transportation Today, June 1, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak announced Thursday that it is beginning work to expand intercity passenger rail service to over 160 more communities by 2035. Full story: Transportation Today
Amtrak unveils details, cost of corridor plan
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 28, 2021) Amtrak yesterday provided more details about its "Corridor Vision" plan, which calls for more frequent intercity passenger-rail service to more than 160 more communities and 20 million more riders annually by 2035. Full...
DOT unveils $88 billion FY22 budget proposal
(Source: Railway Age, May 28, 2021) NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is slated to receive $88 billion under President Joe Biden’s $6 trillion fiscal year 2022 budget proposal, which was submitted to Congress on May 28. Full story: Railway...
The untold story of the women who helped build the U.S. railroads
(Source: Irish Central, May 28, 2021) DUBLIN, Ireland — A new book telling the stories of the women who helped build the first transcontinental railroad is a fascinating insight into the lives of 19th-century American women. "Iron Women: The Ladies Who Helped Build...
Why 737 fuselages are delivered to Boeing factory on trains
(Source: Simple Flying, May 26, 2021) In certain markets, airlines and train operating companies directly compete with each other for passengers. However, in other domains, the railway plays a vital role in getting planes in the air in the first place. Specifically,...
How St. Louis relies on a Port of Virginia rail connection
(Source: Railway Age, May 26, 2021) NEW YORK — The St. Louis region relies heavily on its Norfolk Southern- and CSX-served rail connection with the Port of Virginia, hundreds of miles away on the East Coast, to maintain its position “as one of the premier multimodal...
CP, Canadian government forge pact on Lac-Megantic bypass
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 28, 2021) The Canadian government has reached an agreement with Canadian Pacific concerning the Lac-Megantic rail bypass. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Group: Rail merger proposals should hold down wheat shipping rates
(Source: Farm Forum, May 27, 2021) The U.S. wheat industry is closely watching both CP and CN proposals for KCS but has not taken a position in support of or opposition to either proposed merger. U.S. Wheat Associates, along with a coalition of shippers, has asked the...
Amtrak’s bold expansion plan would create daily Chicago-Toronto round trip, increase other services
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, May 27, 2021) CHICAGO — Amtrak on Thursday detailed a sweeping nationwide expansion plan that would give Chicagoans the ability to hop an international train to Toronto, Canada, or ride up to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to watch the Bears play at...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending May 22, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 26, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 22, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 528,774 carloads...
Amtrak releases 15-year vision, calls on Congress for $75 billion in support
(Source: Railway Age, May 27, 2021) NEW YORK — Amtrak has released a report detailing its 15-year vision to improve 25 existing routes, add 39 new routes, and bring service to more than 160 new communities, which CEO William J. Flynn submitted to Congress, along with...
STB to Class Is: Are you prepared to meet demand?
(Source: Railway Age, May 27, 2021) NEW YORK — Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin J. Oberman has called on the CEOs of the seven North American Class I’s to provide an update on their preparedness to meet service demands, particularly as railroad...
RRB Q&A: Dual benefit payments
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, April 27, 2021) CHICAGO — The payment of a railroad retirement annuity can be affected by entitlement to social security benefits, as well as certain other government benefits. Such dual entitlement, if not reported to...
On final stretch of Amtrak’s Empire Builder route to Spokane, passing through Glacier National Park makes it all worthwhile
(Source: The Spokesman-Review, May 26, 2021) ESSEX, Mont. — Twenty-nine hours and 1,547 miles after leaving Chicago a day earlier, the Empire Builder arrived Tuesday evening at the place we’d all been waiting for: Glacier National Park. Full story:...
Senate committee advances surface transportation reauthorization bill
(Source: Railway Age, May 27, 2021) NEW YORK — The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) has unanimously passed its surface transportation reauthorization bill, a bipartisan measure supported by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the...
NS CEO Squires sells $5.6 million in company stock
(Source: GuruFocus.com, May 26, 2021) NEW YORK — Chairman, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern James A Squires sold 20,000 shares of NSC on 05/24/2021 at an average price of $278.08 a share. The total sale was $5.6 million. Full story: Yahoo Finance
AAR: Rail traffic volumes hold steady through most recent week
(Source: Railway Age, May 26, 2021) NEW YORK — For the week ending May 22, 2021, total U.S. rail traffic was 528,774 carloads and intermodal units, similar to the previous four weeks and up 23.4% from the same point in 2020, according to an Association of American...
Amtrak tries to roar back from pandemic as it restores more Seattle service
(Source: Seattle Times, May 26, 2021) SEATTLE — Pent-up demand to travel, along with the spread of vaccines, should help Amtrak regain lost ridership by 2023 or 2024, and even grow, Amtrak President Stephen Gardner predicted Tuesday. Full story: Seattle Times
BLET News
Brian Kelley elected to third term as Chairman of Missouri Legislative Board
Brian P. Kelley was reelected by acclamation to his third full term as Chairman of the Missouri State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Jefferson City, Mo., on May 5.
BLET Education & Training Department to conduct General Chairman workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the BLET Arbitration Department, is offering a General Chairman’s workshop in Cleveland during the week of July 21, 2014.
IBEW, BLET joint statement regarding SEPTA negotiations
SEPTA’s decision on May 9 to decline the proffer of binding arbitration from the National Mediation Board (NMB) is regrettable. We continue to maintain that binding arbitration is a reasonable and expeditious method of resolving the dispute between the labor unions and SEPTA.
BLET marks 151st anniversary today
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen proudly celebrates its 151st anniversary today. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863 in Marshall, Mich.
Teamsters Rail Conference Officers Reelected
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was reelected to the office of President of the Teamsters Rail Conference at the Rail Conference’s Quadrennial Convention in Las Vegas on May 4, 2014.
Tim Smith reelected to fifth term as Chairman of California State Legislative Board
Timothy L. Smith was elected to his fifth term as Chairman of the California State Legislative Board during the Board’s 7th Quadrennial Session in Santa Barbara, Calif., during the week of April 28.
Minneapolis to host BLET for 74th annual IWC
Minneapolis, Minn., will be the host city for members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen attending the 74th annual International Western Convention (IWC) from June 29-July 3, 2014.
NST Bill Walpert to retire; VP Bruno named head of BLET Safety Task Force
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce today announced that Vice President Stephen J. Bruno has been appointed Chairman of the BLET Safety Task Force, effective May 1, 2014. Outgoing Chairman and BLET National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert has announced that he will retire effective January 1, 2015.
BLET formally accepts NMB’s proffer of arbitration at SEPTA
As a follow up to our May 1 News Flash, the BLET has formally accepted the National Mediation Board’s proffer of arbitration regarding the union’s unresolved contract bargaining dispute at SEPTA.
NMB proffers arbitration in BLET contract dispute with SEPTA
On May 1, the National Mediation Board (NMB) formally urged the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to submit their unresolved contract bargaining dispute to binding arbitration pursuant to the Railway Labor Act (RLA).
