Rail Industry News
After year off, annual celebration of the Transcontinental Railroad is back on this weekend
(Source: Standard-Examiner, May 4, 2021) OGDEN, Utah — Two years ago, tens of thousands of people from all over the world gathered at an out of the way, desolate area of high ground in Box Elder County to celebrate one of the most consequential feats of engineering in...
America’s Amtrak moment could finally be here
(Source: CNN, May 1, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Created in 1971 from the creaking remains of the classic US railroads that helped build modern America, Amtrak has often lived a precarious existence. Full story: www.cnn.com
New administration shows it is pro-worker
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, May 3, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Elections have consequences. It was a lesson learned from the 2016 election and one workers felt keenly as the Trump administration put in place policies that placed...
Stakeholders speak out on CN, CP, KCS
(Source: Railway Age, May 3, 2021) NEW YORK — Customers and other stakeholders are voicing support as well as concerns to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) about CN’s proposed combination with Kansas City Southern (KCS), according to simultaneous press releases...
Congress, STB try to help Amtrak get on track with performance metrics
(Source: Freight Waves, May 4, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Congressional leaders and regulators are looking at ways Amtrak can improve its on-time performance, and they’re employing different tactics to get to that goal. Full story: Freight Waves
Families mourn, voice anger after deadly Mexico City subway crash
(Source: USA Today, May 5, 2021) MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Crews worked to untangle subway cars that dangled from a Mexico City overpass Tuesday after a collapse killed at least 24 people in the deadliest accident in the history of one of the world's busiest subway...
Amtrak’s boss has a plan to make you love trains again
(Source: Time, May 3, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Across much of the U.S., taking the train isn’t exactly convenient. Slow service, delays, and poor access often make alternatives like flying or driving more attractive. But on March 31, President Joe Biden — nicknamed...
Acela returns to Hornell after more than a year of high-speed testing
(Source: The Evening Tribune, May 3, 2021) HORNELL, N.Y. — The Acela trainset is back home in Hornell. The prototype, the first of a fleet of new high-speed rail cars for Amtrak, returned to the Alstom shop Saturday after undergoing high-speed performance testing at...
New York lawmaker wants Amtrak to repair rail tunnels one way, and it could become law
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, May 3, 2021) NEW YORK — Rep. Richie Torres (D-N.Y.) plans on introducing a bill that will require Amtrak to use the repair-in-place method for any track maintenance or rehabilitation. Full story: www.rtands.com
CN to host webcast with investors regarding KCS proposal
(Source: CN press release, May 4, 2021) MONTREAL — CN today announced it will host two public investor community discussions this week on its superior proposal to combine with Kansas City Southern (“KCS”). On May 5, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET), JJ Ruest,...
CN, CP vie for public’s favor in KCS merger race
(Source: Freight Waves, May 3, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Rivals CN and Canadian Pacific are vying to win the public’s favor for which Canadian railway is better suited to merge with Kansas City Southern. Full story: Freight Waves
Berkshire Hathaway responds to KCS merger activity
(Source: Freight Waves, May 3, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Executives with BNSF parent company Berkshire Hathaway noted on Saturday during the company’s annual shareholder meeting that BNSF will seek opportunities to protect its franchise as the merger proceedings go...
BNSF net income rises 5% in Q1 2021
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 3, 2021) BNSF Railway Co. posted first-quarter 2021 net income of $1.25 billion, up 5%, and operating income of $1.9 billion, up 4%, compared with the same period a year ago. Full story: Progressive Railroading
At least 23 dead after Mexico City subway overpass collapses
(Source: NBC News, May 4, 2021) MEXICO CITY, Mexico — A Mexico City subway train overpass collapsed onto a busy road below on Monday night, killing at least 23 people, including children, authorities said. More than 60 people were injured. Full story: NBC News
Southeast Nebraska senator files motion to kill two-person crew bill
(Source: Omaha World-Herald, May 3, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — A southeast Nebraska lawmaker has filed a motion to kill the Unicameral’s lat-est bill that would require the state’s railroads to have at least two-person crews. State Sen. Julie Slama of Peru moved Wednesday to...
CP to STB: CN’s KCS plan “plainly flunks end-to-end test”
(Source: Railway Age, May, 1, 2021) NEW YORK — Canadian Pacific on April 30 filed a formal objection with the Surface Transpor-tation Board stating that CN “does not qualify for a waiver of the STB’s rules for major transac-tions, with respect to CN’s unsolicited...
BNSF asks Coast Guard to start process to remove historic Bismarck-Mandan rail bridge
(Source: Bismarck Tribune, April 30, 2021) BISMARCK, N.D. — After years of a local nonprofit trying to save the historic Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge, the owner of the structure has asked the federal agency overseeing the pro-cess to move on from preservation and begin...
Amtrak buildings in Beech Grove heavily damaged by fire
(Source: Television station WTHR, May 2, 2021) BEECH GROVE, Ind. — A large fire heavily damaged two storage buildings at the Amtrak Maintenance Facility in Beech Grove early Sunday morning. Nobody was hurt. Full story: www.wthr.com
BNSF says it can handle more crude-by-rail shipments if Dakota pipeline is shut
(Source: Reuters, April 30, 2021) NEW YORK — BNSF, the railroad unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc, is prepared to handle any increase in rail traffic if the Dakota Access oil pipeline (DAPL) is shut due to an on-going legal dispute, the company told...
Rep. Payne Jr. introduces bill to speed up Amtrak’s service
(Source: Insider NJ, April 30, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr., Chairman of the Subcommittee on Rail-roads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, introduced a bill today to help Amtrak get passengers to destinations faster. The bill, the Rail...
BLET News
Mark your calendars: BLET announces 2014 regional meetings
The BLET National Division today announced the dates and locations for the four regional meetings next year.
Health FSA open enrollment begins October 1
Open enrollment will run from October 1, 2013 until November 2, 2013, for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (Health FSA), which is available to BLET represented engineers who work at participating railroads, and all train service employees of Texas Mexican Railway.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, CN-IC agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Canadian National’s former Illinois Central property, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced. Ballots are being mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by CN-IC who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET Job Bank: Montana Rail Link
Montana Rail Link has contacted the BLET National Division to advise that the railroad is hiring between 6-8 certified locomotive engineers. Applications are being accepted through September 25, 2013.
John Edgar Thomson Foundation provides financial assistance to daughters of deceased railroaders
The John Edgar Thomson Foundation, a nationally recognized non-profit organization, provides limited financial assistance to daughters of deceased railroad employees.
Prepare now for 2015 Triennial elections
Even though Triennial elections for BLET Divisions won’t be held again until 2015, members are reminded of the 24-month continuous good standing requirement and how it can impact their ability to serve the Brotherhood in an elected office.
Labor Day 2013: Worker rights are civil rights
By Dennis R. Pierce, National President American workers will be honored on Monday as the nation celebrates Labor Day. The accomplishments and achievements of workers and the unions that represent them are deserving of this national holiday, and I am proud to be a part of the celebration.
BLET’s 78th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting begins in New Orleans
More than 370 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen convened here today for opening ceremonies of the 78th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM).
BLET, Tacoma Rail sign new 5-year agreement
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have signed a new five-year contract with Tacoma Rail, retroactive to July 1, 2012.
Matt Thornton reelected CSXT Western Lines General Chairman
Matt A. Thornton was reelected General Chairman of the BLET’s CSXT Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Gatlinburg, Tenn., from July 24-26, 2013.
