Rail Industry News
How green is passenger rail travel?
(Source: The Spokesman-Review, May 24, 2021) SPOKANE, Wash. — President Joe Biden wants Congress to spend $80 billion over eight years to improve and expand service on Amtrak as part of a multitrillion-dollar effort to shore up the nation’s aging infrastructure. That...
Editorial: Don’t let Amtrak be a victim of the pandemic
(Source: Editorial in the Bakersfield Californian, May 23, 2021) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Just in the nick of time and as Amtrak celebrates its 50th anniversary, the nation’s pandemic-slammed passenger railway system has received an injection of cash from the American...
Amtrak resuming full service across Illinois
(Source: Associated Press, May 24, 2021) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Amtrak is resuming full passenger rail service across Illinois as the number of COVID-19 cases are falling. Full story: www.wgntv.com
NS CEO Squires sold $19.8 million in company stock
(Source: GuruFocus.com, May 21, 2021) NEW YORK — President and CEO of Norfolk Southern Corp. James A Squires sold 70,000 shares of NSC on 05/18/2021 at an average price of $282.21 a share. The total sale was $19.8 million. Full story: Yahoo Finance
Chicago suburbs wary of proposed CN-KCS merger that could mean more freight train traffic
(Source: Chicago Daily Herald, May 24, 2021) CHICAGO — The brawl between railroad giants Canadian National and Canadian Pacific to acquire Kansas City Southern Railway tilted in CN's direction Friday when officials announced a merger agreement with KCS. But many...
CP says it is ready to re-engage with KCS; CP to proceed with STB application process
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, May 21, 2021) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited sent the following letter to the Surface Transportation Board ("STB") today in response to the Kansas City Southern ("KCS") Board of Directors' decision to...
CN, KCS issue joint statement on merger agreement
(Source: Canadian National Railway and Kansas City Southern joint press release, May 21, 2021) MONTREAL and KANSAS CITY, Mo. — CN and Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create the premier railway...
KCS to CN: Proposal accepted (but is it final?)
(Source: Railway Age, May 21, 2021) NEW YORK — CN and Kansas City Southern (KCS) on May 21 entered into a definitive merger agreement that, barring an unexpected twist, ends weeks of a tug of war between CN and Canadian Pacific. CN’s revised offer was submitted to and...
KCS exits CP deal to take CN’s $33.6 billion offer
(Source: Associated Press, May 21, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Kansas City Southern has abandoned its agreement to be acquired by Canadian Pacific, choosing instead a competing bid from Canadian National Railway with a bigger price tag, but also greater regulatory risks. Full...
KCS holds annual meeting of stockholders, elects directors and announces dividends
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, May 20, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 20, 2021 virtually via live audio webcast. With 89% of KCS’ outstanding common and preferred stock represented in...
Transport Canada investing in railway safety
(Source: Transport Canada press release, May 20, 2021) OTTAWA — The Government of Canada is committed to keeping Canadians safe by improving rail safety and increasing public awareness and confidence in Canada’s rail transportation system while contributing to the...
Analysis: GOP transportation committee leaders unveil infrastructure plan, which has almost no rail content
(Source: Railway Age column by David Peter Alan, May 20, 2021) NEW YORK — Congressional Republicans have presented their own infrastructure proposal in response to the $1.9 trillion bill supported by Congressional Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration. Their...
NTSB issues final report on fatal 2018 BNSF accident near Kingman, Arizona
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board press release, May 20, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board determined Thursday the failure of a BNSF train crew to operate an intermodal train within restricted speed requirements caused the...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending May 15, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 15, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 15, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 533,872 carloads...
CP urges KCS to reconsider support for CN but refuses to increase takeover offer
(Source: Canadian Press, May 20, 2021) TORONTO — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. has told Kansas City Southern that it won't raise its takeover bid and urged the U.S. railway to reject rival CN Rail's US$33.6-billion offer that it claims won't be approved by the U.S....
CN says still committed to buying KCS
(Source: Associated Press, May 20, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Canadian National railroad is indicating it remains committed to its $33.6 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern, despite reservations from one major shareholder and a regulatory setback. Full story:...
CP to KCS: Stick with us
(Source: Railway Age, May 20, 2021) NEW YORK — Canadian Pacific President and CEO Keith Creel on May 20 responded to the Kansas City Southern Board of Directors and President and CEO Pat Ottensmeyer calling on them to reject CN’s counter-proposal “in light of...
Wall Street Journal: KCS expected to terminate CP deal
(Source: Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2021) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern is expected to ditch its merger agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. in favor of a competing proposal from Canadian National Railway Co., according to people familiar with the matter,...
FRA celebrates the Transportation Technology Center’s 50th anniversary
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, May 19, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation is celebrating 50 years of safety research and innovation at the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Transportation Technology Center...
AAR: Carloads, intermodal post double-digit gains, again
(Source: Railway Age, May 19, 2021) NEW YORK — Both U.S. carloads and intermodal volume for the week ending May 15, 2021, rose sharply over the same point in 2020—31.6% and 25.6%, respectively, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported May 19. Full story:...
BLET News
Railroad Retirement Board to host informational conferences in 2014
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board will host a series of informational conferences in April, May and June 2014. The dates and locations of additional conferences will be announced as that information is made available.
BLET Fighting to Protect Worker, Public Safety in Rulemaking
Dennis Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, a Division of the Teamsters Rail Conference, issued the following statement concerning the April 9 announcement by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that the agency planned to issue a proposed rule regarding railroad industry crew size.
B.J. Trumble reelected Chairman of Michigan Legislative Board
B.J. Trumble was reelected by acclamation to his first full term as Chairman of the Michigan State Legislative Board at its Third Quadrennial meeting in Flint, Mich., on March 22.
Call to mobilize over Right-to-Work law in Missouri
The following is a message from Brian Kelley, BLET Missouri SLB Chairman concerning the Right-to-Work law in Missouri: URGENT ACTION REQUIRED FROM ALL BLET MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND WORKING CLASS AMERICANS LIVING IN MISSIOURI.
BLET Job Bank: CN (former Wisconsin Central)
The Canadian National Railway (CN) has contacted the BLET National Division to advise that the railroad is recruiting six certified locomotive engineers to work in its former Wisconsin Central territory out of Stevens Point, Wisc.
Savannah to host BLET for 87th annual SMA
Arrangements Chairman D.C. Dickey, Local Chairman of Division 646, his wife Patty, and the members of Division 646 are proud to host the 2014 Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA) annual convention at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Ga.
Important change in eligibility for spouses under all plans under Group Policy GA-23111
The Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations (CRLO), Policy Sponsor, has made a decision to include same-sex spouses as Eligible Dependents under all plans under Group Policy GA-23111 (the “Policy”). The Policy provides coverage for certain retired and former railroad employees as well as their dependents and is administered by UnitedHealthcare. The change in eligibility for same-sex spouses is effective retroactive to January 1, 2014.
BLET’s Wyoming State Legislative Board announces scholarship program
The BLET’s Wyoming State Legislative Board (WYSLB) has announced a scholarship program for the upcoming school year. The deadline is June 1, 2014.
BLET sponsors 2014 Operation Lifesaver national conference
The BLET National Division is a national sponsor of Operation Lifesaver’s 2014 National Leadership Conference, which will be held May 14-15 in Albuquerque, N.M.
BLET Job Bank: Montana Rail Link
Montana Rail Link has contacted the BLET National Division to advise that the railroad is recruiting certified locomotive engineers.
