Rail Industry News
CN-KCS merger to be judged under stricter rules, STB says
(Source: Bloomberg, May 17, 2021) NEW YORK — Canadian National Railway Co.’s proposal to acquire Kansas City Southern will be judged under stricter regulations adopted in 2001, the U.S. regulator said in an expected decision that lays the ground rules for what would...
CN’s $33.6 billion bid to buy KCS hits snag
(Source: Railway Age, May 17, 2021) NEW YORK — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) decided May 17 that CN’s proposed merger with Kansas City Southern (KCS) will be reviewed under its current merger rules and CN’s motion to approve a proposed voting trust agreement...
5 takewaways from Class I railroads’ earnings season
(Source: Freight Waves, May 14, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The first-quarter 2021 earnings season for the Class I railroads is over. An optimistic volume outlook, especially for the second half of 2021, plans to improve operational efficiency and take market share...
Still on track at 50: Amtrak celebrates a half-century of operation
(Source: Washington Post special report by Justin Franz, May 15, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — There are faster ways for me to get to Portland or Seattle from my home in Montana’s Flathead Valley not far from Glacier National Park. Alaska Airlines offers multiple flights a...
Wall Street sees chance of higher bid for KCS from CP
(Source: Reuters, May 14, 2021) NEW YORK — Wall Street is expecting Canadian Pacific to raise its offer for Kansas City Southern even at the cost of more debt to win the bidding war with larger Canadian railroad rival Canadian National. Full story: www.kfgo.com
U.S. DOJ says CN bid for KCS poses greater risk to competition
(Source: Reuters, May 14, 2021) NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Justice said on Friday that Canadian National Railway Co's bid for U.S. railway operator Kansas City Southern appears to pose greater risks to competition than a rival agreement with Canadian Pacific...
UP train derails in SE Minnesota
(Source: CNN, May 15, 2021) ALBERT LEA, Minn. — A Union Pacific train derailed Saturday afternoon in Albert Lea, Minnesota, according to local authorities. No injuries have been reported among the crew, according to the railroad. Full story: CNN
UP train hauling hazardous materials derails, catches fire in Sibley, Iowa, forcing evacuation of homes
(Source: Reuters, May 17, 2021) NEW YORK — A Union Pacific train hauling hazardous materials derailed and then caught fire in the city of Sibley, Iowa, authorities said on Sunday, leading to the evacuation of dozens of people although there were no reports of injuries...
Rail industry defends safety record amid staffing cuts
(Source: Associated Press, May 16, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Even as railroads are operating longer and longer freight trains that sometimes stretch for miles, the companies have drastically reduced staffing levels, prompting unions to warn that moves meant to increase...
AFL-CIO’s TTD applauds calls for PSR study, encourages GAO to move quickly
(Source: AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department press release, May 13, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement applauding House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair...
Congress to GAO: Investigate PSR’s effect on safety, labor, shippers
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, May 14, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday sent a letter asking the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study into the impact precision scheduled railroading has had on shippers...
Operation Lifesaver awards $200,000 for crossing safety public awareness campaigns in 11 states
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, May 13, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), today announced $200,000 in grants to Operation Lifesaver programs in 11 states. The grants...
New Orleans port, rail associations join Alabama in call for more studies before Amtrak return
(Source: www.al.com, May 13, 2021) MOBILE, Ala. — The Port of New Orleans and railroad associations in Mississippi and Louisiana, in separate letters filed to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, are urging federal authorities to require Amtrak to complete a Rail...
UP announces 10% dividend increase for second quarter 2021
(Source: Union Pacific press release, May 13, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation announced that its Board of Directors today voted to increase the quarterly dividend on the company’s common shares by 10% to $1.07 per share. The dividend is payable June 30,...
Customs & Border Protection launches $46 million rail scanner replacement initiative
(Source: Railway Age, May 13, 2021) NEW YORK — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will install new rail-cargo scanning systems at 12 rail ports of entry on the U.S. southern and northern land borders. Full story: Railway Age
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending May 8, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 12, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 8, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 523,309 carloads...
CP comments on update from KCS
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, May 13, 2021) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited ("CP") today provided the following statement regarding Kansas City Southern's ("KCS") decision related to Canadian National's ("CN") unsolicited proposal: It is...
KCS to scrap CP deal after revised $33.6 billion offer from CN
(Source: Canadian Press, May 13, 2021) MONTREAL — Kansas City Southern Inc. says it is terminating its merger agreement with CP Rail after determining that rival Canadian National Railway’s revised US$33.6-billion offer was superior. CP Rail now has the right to amend...
CN ups offer to seal deal for KCS
(Source: Associated Press, May 13, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Canadian National sweetened its offer to buy Kansas City Southern railroad Thursday and derailed rival Canadian Pacific's bid for the railroad that handles traffic in the United States and Mexico. Full story:...
KCS receives revised proposal from CN; Board of Directors deems it “superior” to CP’s
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, May 13, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) today announced receipt of a revised acquisition proposal from Canadian National Railway Company (“CN”). Under the terms of CN’s revised proposal, each share of...
BLET News
Please donate to help daughter of BLET member
The National Division of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is asking all members to extend a financial helping hand to a BLET member whose daughter is in need of medical assistance.
BLET backs high-speed rail funding provisions in California state budget
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a strong supporter of the California high-speed rail initiative, is applauding Governor Jerry Brown””s recent budget proposal to help fund bullet train construction with $300 million in revenue from the state””s cap-and-trade program.
BLET to conduct LM-2 Secretary-Treasurer Workshop
Beginning on February 17, 2014, the BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2 report for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division or State Legislative Board. The workshop will be held in San Diego, Calif., February 17-20, 2014.
Open enrollment begins January 1, 2014 for the BLET Short Term Disability Plan; Important changes and enhancements to Plan B coverage
Open Enrollment for 2014 under the BLET’s Short Term Disability insurance plan begins on January 1, 2014 and runs through February 28, 2014.
BLET Safety Task Force dispatched to North Dakota oil train fire, Louisiana derailment
The BLET Safety Task Force has dispatched two teams of responders to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with investigations following derailments in Casselton, N.D., and Keithville, La.
Holiday messages from the Brotherhood’s 150-year history
Brotherhood leaders have traditionally shared holiday messages with the membership throughout the long and distinguished history of our great organization. These messages of peace and good will date to 1868 — one year after the Locomotive Engineers Monthly Journal was...
Happy Holidays!
We cannot say anything new and would not if we could. The old greetings and prayers are the best — Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.
BLET supports organizing drive by Train Dispatchers union
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is asking its members to help support an organizing drive by the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) at the Union Pacific Railroad.
BLET members to keep Health FSA plan for 2014
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will keep their Health Flexible Spending Accounts (Health FSA) through 2014 thanks to an increased level of participation in the money-saving plan.
Cameras Are Not the Answer
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 suggestion in the media in the aftermath of the tragic Metro North accident that placing cameras in the cabs of all locomotives will somehow be a deterrent to fatigue:
