Rail Industry News
CN files STB request to set schedule for voting trust review
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 19, 2021) CN yesterday filed with the Surface Transportation Board a request to establish a procedural schedule for review of the voting trust that CN intends to use for its planned merger with Kansas City Southern. Full story:...
CN CEO says Bill Gates, other investors support bid for KCS
(Source: Canadian Press, May 19, 2021) MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. says Bill Gates and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec are supporting the company’s $33.6-billion (U.S.) bid to acquire Kansas City Southern. Full story: Toronto Star
CP calls on KCS Board to reject CN’s proposal
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, May 20, 2021) CALGARY — Today, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited announced that it sent a letter to Kansas City Southern's ("KCS") Board of Directors calling on them to reject Canadian National's ("CN") proposal in light...
CP declines to increase offer for KCS
(Source: Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2021) NEW YORK — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. said Thursday it won’t increase its takeover offer for Kansas City Southern , betting recent setbacks for a higher offer from a rival make sweetening the bid unnecessary. It is now up...
Anacostia’s six short lines named EPA “SmartWay” partners
(Source: Anacostia Rail Holdings press release, May 18, 2021) CHICAGO — Anacostia Rail Holdings Company (ARH) announced today that all six of its short-line railroads have become certified Partners of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA SmartWay ® Transport...
Here’s what it’s like to ride CTA and Metra as riders return
(Source: Chicago Tribune, May 18, 2021) CHICAGO — Riders are trickling back to buses and trains as more people get vaccinated and go back to restaurants, events and offices. On weekdays, they’re finding open seats on trains and buses that once would have been standing...
Opinion: D.C. has invested in SEPTA’s future. Now it’s Harrisburg’s turn
(Source: WHYY.org opinion column by Josh McNeil, May 19, 2021) PHILADELPHIA — President Biden’s plan to fight climate change by investing in critical infrastructure is the shot in the arm our economy needs — but relying on this plan isn’t enough. Pennsylvania needs to...
Amtrak leaders, Ohio mayors call for passenger rail service
(Source: Dayton Daily News, May 18, 2021) DAYTON, Ohio — Dayton hasn’t had passenger rail service in more than 40 years, but Amtrak leaders and some Ohio mayors hope that will change with a new intercity route connecting the Gem City to Ohio’s largest cities. Full...
Amtrak increasing speeds to 110 mph on its Wolverine line
(Source: Battle Creek Enquirer, May 19, 2021) BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Amtrak is increasing speeds on its Wolverine Service between Kalamazoo and Albion. Starting May 25, the maximum speed of Amtrak Midwest trains will increase to 110 mph on 45 miles of Michigan...
Norfolk Southern: “Technology is at the center of our strategy”
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, May 18, 2021) NEW YORK — For those who think the railroads have taken about all of the new technology they can stand, there is plenty more to be done. During the NS 2021 shareholders meeting on May 13, President and CEO Jim Squires...
Investor urges CN to drop bid for KCS
(Source: Associated Press, May 18, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — A major Canadian National shareholder is urging the railroad to abandon its $33.6 billion bid to buy Kansas City Southern after regulators dealt the deal a procedural setback this week. Full story: Yahoo News
NTSB Chair Sumwalt to step down on June 30
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 18, 2021) National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Robert Sumwalt has announced to the agency’s workforce that he intends to step down on June 30. Full story: Progressive Railroading
$11 billion for transit would aid bullet train, move Olympic crowds
(Source: Associated Press, May 14, 2021) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed spending an additional $11 billion on transportation improvements, much of it for a troubled bullet train intended to eventually link California’s major metropolitan...
Bose: FRA, California in settlement talks over high-speed rail funds
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 17, 2021) Federal Railroad Administration Deputy Administrator Amit Bose late last week said federal and California officials have engaged in “productive settlement negotiations over the past several weeks” involving federal funds...
Wabtec’s battery-electric locomotive lowered full consumption by more than 11% in BNSF California project
(Source: Wabtec press release, May 18, 2021) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Wabtec Corporation announced today a rail industry first as its FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive delivered more than an 11-percent average reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for...
Drone footage shows size of UP train derailment in Iowa
(Source: Reuters, May 17, 2021) SIBLEY, Iowa — Drone video obtained by Reuters showed train carriages strewn about a track with some parts on fire. Sibley fire chief Ken Huls told local radio that the train was carrying fertilizer and ammonium. Full story: Yahoo...
Evacuation order lifted after fiery UP derailment in Iowa
(Source: Siouxland News, May 17, 2021) SIBLEY, Iowa — Union Pacific says crews have finished clearing the derailed cars early Tuesday morning. The fire is still smoldering and expected to be extinguished soon. An evacuation order was lifted Monday evening. Full story:...
About 40,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid spilled in UP derailment in Minnesota
(Source: Austin Daily Herald, May 17, 2021) ALBERT LEA, Minn. — About 40,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid spilled into the soil and wetland on the western part of Goose Lake during the Union Pacific Railroad train derailment Saturday afternoon, authorities stated...
Supreme Court to DOJ: Is a stopped train in use?
(Source: Reuters, May 17, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked the U.S. Solicitor General’s office to take a side in a case involving Union Pacific Railroad Co over whether a train that has temporarily stopped is still “in use,” exposing...
Wheels keep turning in the respective pursuits of KCS by CP and CN
(Source: Logistics Management, May 17, 2021) NEW YORK — Not long after Canadian National (CN) appeared to have the upper hand over its Canadian Class I railroad brethren Canadian Pacific (CP), in their respective efforts to acquire Kansas City Southern (KCS), the...
BLET News
Former Vice President E.L. Hayden, 1926-2014
E.L. (Billy) Hayden Jr., former International Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, passed away on February 27, 2014. He was 87 years old. Brother Hayden was first elected Vice President at the Brotherhood’s 1986 convention and then reelected in 1991.
BLET tells House: Don’t extend deadline for Positive Train Control
BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman made a strong case for the timely implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) and other measures to boost rail safety and improve the quality of life for BLET members during testimony delivered at a House subcommittee hearing on February 26.
Rail hazmat chemical/ emergency response training programs for 2014
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is pleased to announce three HazMat/Chemical Emergency Response Training Programs for 2014. These five-day courses will provide rail workers with the essential knowledge, skills, and response actions in the case of an unintentional release — giving them the tools they need to protect themselves, their co-workers and their communities.
Show your support for two-person train crews
Progressive Railroading is conducting an informal poll this week asking, “Do you think all freight trains should be required to have a minimum crew size of two people?” This poll follows the introduction of the Safe Freight Act (H.R. 3040) in Congress, a piece of legislation backed jointly by the BLET and SMART Transportation Division (former UTU) that would require two person train crews.
BLET to conduct Local Chairman Workshop in March
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct an expanded workshop for Local Chairmen from March 23-28, 2014. The training session will be held at the Hyatt Regency at The Arcade in Cleveland, Ohio.
BLET to host Secretary-Treasurer Class in March 2014
The BLET’s Education and Training Department is hosting an expanded Secretary-Treasurer Training Class in Cleveland from March 10-March 13, 2014. For the first time, this expanded class will also provide training to Division Presidents and Division Trustees.
Teamsters take action to oppose Fast Track legislation
On January 31, Teamsters across the country are taking action to oppose Fast Track by calling and emailing their Representatives and Senators. We need to make sure Congress doesn’t pass Fast Track, which would make it easier for job-killing trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership to become law.
Attention retirees: Information about GA-23111 Plan F
Retired BLET members are being advised of the availability of coverage in addition to Medicare for railroad employees, their dependents, parents and parents-in-law.
2014 BLET Scholarship Directory
Each year, the BLET National Division compiles a list of scholarship opportunities available to the children of BLET members. Numerous financial aid opportunities are published here in the 2014 BLET Scholarship Directory.
BLET Job Bank: Montana Rail Link
Montana Rail Link is recruiting 10 certified locomotive engineers. Applications are being accepted through February 28, 2014.
