Rail Industry News
Maritime port rivalry surfaces in corporate battle for KCS
(Source: CBC News, May 26, 2021) MONTREAL — Canadian National said Wednesday it is confident it will win U.S. regulatory approval for its $33-billion purchase of the Kansas City Southern railway, a deal that has implications for two Maritime provinces with rival...
STB to CSX on Pan Am acquisition: Complete your homework and get back to us
(Source: Railway Age, May 26, 2021) NEW YORK — The Surface Transportation Board lately has been relentless in demanding that applications for mergers and voting trusts, among other transactions, meet its standards for completeness. Full story: Railway Age
CP says CN line divestiture “doesn’t come close”
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, May 26, 2021) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today issued the following statement in response to Canadian National's ("CN") commitment to divest Kansas City Southern's ("KCS") line between New Orleans and...
CN promises sale of KCS line between New Orleans and Baton Rouge to win merger approval
(Source: Canadian Press, May 26, 2021) MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. says it has made a pre-emptive move to address competition concerns from the U.S. regulator by agreeing to sell Kansas City Southern's line between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The...
BNSF to serve new canola processing facility in Saskatchewan
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 25, 2021) Ceres Global Ag Corp. today announced plans today to build a $350 million integrated canola processing facility in Northgate, Saskatchewan, to help meet the current and growing global demand for canola products. Full...
Operation Lifesaver awards over $245,000 for rail safety public awareness campaigns in 16 states
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, May 25, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), today announced $200,317 in competitive rail safety awareness grants to Operation Lifesaver...
Texas Eagle restores daily service
(Source: Texarkana Gazette, May 25, 2021) TEXARKANA, Ark. — Amtrak's Texas Eagle route has now restored daily service to Southwest Arkansas stops halted during the pandemic emergency. Full story: Texarkana Gazette
Biden nominates Homendy to chair NTSB
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 25, 2021) President Joe Biden has nominated Jennifer Homendy to be chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for a term of three years. If approved by the U.S. Senate, Homendy will succeed Robert Sumwalt III. She...
CN and KCS take next step on path to combine by filing jointly for voting trust approval
(Source: Joint press release from Canadian National Railway and Kansas City Southern, May 26, 2021) MONTREAL and KANSAS CITY, Mo. — CN and Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) today announced that they have taken the next step on their path to combine to create the premier...
CN to sell Louisiana rail asset to defuse KCS antitrust concerns
(Source: Wall Street Journal, May 26, 2021) NEW YORK — Canadian National Railway Co. is offering to sell a 70-mile stretch of its Louisiana rail network to defuse antitrust concerns as it seeks regulatory approval for its roughly $30 billion agreement to merge with...
Could Florida get another chance at high-speed rail under Biden?
(Source: Tampa Bay Times, May 24, 2021) TAMPA, Fla. — Eleven years have passed since President Barack Obama landed in Tampa with the promise of a gift that could transform Central Florida: a federally funded high-speed rail line to Orlando. Full story: Tampa Bay...
As ridership climbs, MBTA restores some services
(Source: Associated Press, May 25, 2021) BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is boosting some subway and bus service this summer as ridership continues to increase as the pandemic wanes. Full story: www.apnews.com
Opinion: Amtrak plan important for central Ohio
(Source: Columbus Dispatch opinion column by Stu Nicholson, May 24, 2021) COLUMBUS, Ohio — If there was any doubt about Amtrak’s desire for self-funded passenger service expansion plans for Ohio that include a Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati route, that was...
Senators introduce bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization efforts
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 24, 2021) A bipartisan group of U.S. senators last week announced a surface transportation reauthorization bill that will be marked up this week by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW). Full story:...
50 cars derail from UP freight train in New Mexico
(Source: Television station KVIA, May 24, 2021) LORDSBURG, N.M. — A Union Pacific freight train derailed Monday near Lordsburg with approximately 50 rail cars overturned. There were no reports of injuries. Full story: www.kvia.com
White paper: Management of in-train forces — challenges and directions
(Source: Railway Age article by Grady C. Cothen Jr., retired Federal Railroad Administration official, May 24, 2021) NEW YORK — Unfortunately, short-term financial incentives have driven major railroads away from operating strategies that focus on customer needs, and...
Amtrak restores service on routes following COVID cutbacks
(Source: Associated Press, May 24, 2021) SEATTLE — In another hopeful sign that the travel industry is bouncing back in Washington state after pandemic-induced lows last year, Amtrak says it will restore daily service on 12 long distance routes across the country,...
As Amtrak restarts regular Empire Builder service, first train to Spokane stirs hope of a post-pandemic normal
(Source: The Spokesman-Review, May 25, 2021) SPOKANE, Wash. — As the Empire Builder rolled out of Chicago’s Union Station on Monday, something felt different. It was the first day of regular, daily service on the Chicago-to-Spokane route since Amtrak cut service on...
Amtrak reinstates furloughed employees, returns full daily service to Montana’s Hi-Line
(Source: Press release from the office of U.S. Senator Jon Tester, May 24, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Full, daily Amtrak service returned to the Hi-Line today, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Jon Tester. Tester’s bill reinstating furloughed Amtrak employees and...
Congress proposes launch of Freight Rail Innovation Institute
(Source: Railway Age, May 21, 2021) NEW YORK — New legislation has been introduced in Congress to establish a Freight Rail Innovation Institute (FRII) in which a university research partner and a locomotive manufacturer would work to develop zero-emission locomotives....
BLET News
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).
BLET Safety Task Force investigating oil train derailment in Lynchburg, Va.
The BLET Safety Task Force has been dispatched to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with the investigation of an oil train derailment and fire in Lynchburg, Va.
Day of Action: Fast Track is the wrong track!
On April 30, BLET members are encouraged to participate in the Teamster Fast Track Day of Action. As background, the fair trade movement has been successful thus far in delaying a vote on Fast Track legislation, which would allow potentially harmful “Free Trade” agreements to sail through Congress and ship American jobs overseas.
BLET to conduct workshop for Legislative Representatives
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the National Legislative Office and the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC), will conduct a workshop for BLET Division Legislative Representatives from July 13-17 in Washington, D.C.
Workers’ Memorial Day 2014
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Workers’ Memorial Day has been commemorated on April 28 every year for the past 21 years. On this solemn day, we remember those who were killed or injured on the job and we rededicate ourselves to the struggle of making workplaces safer for current and future workers.
Reminder: Registration deadline approaching for SMA in Savannah, Ga.
As a reminder, the registration deadline for 87th annual Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA) is quickly approaching.
BLET, SMART–TD to seek two-person crew laws on the state level
As part of an ongoing effort to secure a law mandating a minimum of two crew members in the cab of all locomotives, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART–TD) have provided their State Legislative Boards with model legislation to secure minimum crew size laws on the state level.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Washington State
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Washington State after flooding and mudslides caused major damage to homes and property on March 22, 2014.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, Metra agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Metra, the commuter railroad system serving Chicago. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced that ballots were mailed yesterday to active members of the BLET employed by Metra who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Division 42 to host Town Hall meeting on April 16
Dave W. Grimes, Local Chairman of BLET Division 42 (St. Louis, Mo.) and Vice General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Central Region General Committee of Adjustment (St. Louis Hub), has asked the BLET National Division to make the following announcement:
