Rail Industry News
BNSF reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 5, 2025) BNSF Railway Co. recently reported second-quarter revenue of $5.7 billion, which was flat compared with second-quarter 2024’s mark. The Class I’s operating income and net income in the quarter climbed 19%...
OSHA orders UP to reinstate engineer, provide $300K in back pay
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor press release, August 6, 2025) DALLAS – A federal whistleblower investigation found that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a railroad engineer after the employee reported and sought...
Wheeling & Lake Erie sold for $1.05 billion
(Railfan & Railroad Magazine, August 7, 2025) The Wheeling & Lake Erie, the over 800-mile regional railroad that runs through Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, is being sold to FTAI Infrastructure, Inc., for $1.05 billion. Once approved by...
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announce plans to create America’s first transcontinental railroad
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 29, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced an agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad. These legendary companies will seamlessly connect over 50,000 route miles...
CPKC reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Kansas City press release, July 30, 2025) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its second-quarter results, including revenues of $3.7 billion, diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.33 and core adjusted diluted EPS1 of $1.12....
CSX reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: CSX press release, July 23, 2025) CSX Corp. announced second quarter 2025 operating income of $1.28 billion compared to $1.45 billion in the prior year period. Net income was $829 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $963 million, or $0.49 per...
Norfolk Southern reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 29, 2025) Norfolk Southern Corporation announced its second quarter 2025 financial results. For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, operating ratio was 62.2%, and diluted...
Union Pacific reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 24, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 second quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.15 per diluted share. Results compare to 2024 second quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.74 per diluted share. Second...
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern discuss merger to create transcontinental railroad, AP source says
To be approved, any major rail merger must show it will enhance competition and serve the public interest.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issues warning about end-of-train device vulnerability
The federal government cybersecurity agency has issued a warning that the EOT could be vulnerable to computer hackers, especially those seeking to take control of the train’s air brake system.
Trump administration pulls $4 billion in federal funding for California’s bullet train project
Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project’s funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state.
SEPTA board approves budget with 45% service cuts
“This budget will effectively dismantle SEPTA — leaving the City and region without the frequent, reliable transit service that has been an engine of economic growth, mobility, and opportunity,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.
BLET Auxiliary: Now available: “Taking Charge,” a survival guide for railroad families
Members of the BLET Auxiliary were busy selling raffle tickets at the Daytona Beach Regional. From left: Jodi Wallace, Chris Baldwin, Kat Bisbikis, Rachel Pharris, and Natalie Miller. ____________________ Kat Bisbikis, National President of the BLET Auxiliary,...
General President Sean O’Brien highlights list of Teamster speakers during Eastern Regional Meeting
IBT General President Sean O'Brien: “Our members are changing the game. Setting the standard. Improving the lives of their fellow Teamsters all across the country.” ____________________ Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien addressed BLET members during a rousing...
Rail unions warn DOT rollbacks could jeopardize train safety
Labor concerned about potential new power to fire FRA inspectors
June 2025 RRB Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
A new unemployment and sickness benefit year – the twelve-month period during which the RRB makes benefit payments for days of unemployment and sickness to eligible railroad employees – generally begins each July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next year.
CPKC system cutover triggers service woes in some former KCS locations
Localized congestion, delays, and shipper frustrations follow tech switchover in Louisiana, east Texas, and Mississippi
Smuggling arrest raises questions about Mexican crews moving trains into Texas
Some U.S. workers see Mexican crews bringing trains into South Texas as a threat to American jobs and border security.
Parallel Systems begins testing autonomous cars on G&W short line
The pilot program to evaluate Parallel’s self-propelled container car was launched this week on the Heart of Georgia Railroad
Heartland Flyer service in jeopardy after Texas fails to provide funding
State support for Fort Worth-Oklahoma City not included in $338 billion budget bill
BLET News
BLET applauds bipartisan reintroduction of the Railway Safety Act
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division today applauded the bipartisan reintroduction of the Railway Safety Act (RSA) in the United States Senate. The legislation is being led by Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) and Senator Maria...
Notch 8: A message to the membership from BLET First Vice President Gary Best
Brothers and Sisters, When I addressed the members at our Eastern Regional in Daytona Beach last summer, I said that our Union had been in a siding for the last couple of years and had just received a signal to come out on the mainline when President Mark...
National health & welfare plan benefits: Fitness that fits you
If you or a family member have made a New Year’s resolution to hit the gym in 2026, this United HealthCare program may be what you’re looking for. A program titled One Pass Select provides access to a nationwide network of fitness locations, online workouts, and more,...
Education & Training: Secretary-Treasurers benefit from Zoom refresher sessions
Sixty BLET Secretary-Treasurers participated in half-day online refresher sessions February 17-18, hosted by the BLET Education & Training Department. The training focused on preparation of annual LM-3 and LM-4 reports required by the U.S. Department of Labor’s...
100 years ago, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters made major gains as first union for Black railroad workers
Founded on August 25, 1925, by A. Philip Randolph, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) was the first African American labor union to secure a collective bargaining agreement with a major corporation, the Pullman Company. With the decline of passenger rail...
BLET members ratify new agreement with Great Western Railway of Colorado
On February 10, BLET members ratified a new contract with the Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR). The new contract provides pay increases, paid sick leave days, and protects the members’ health and welfare benefits. The negotiating team consisted of BNSF (former...
Last Run: Division 848 Secretary-Treasurer Darren Mickelson retires
Congratulations to Brother Darren Mickelson of BLET Division 848 (South Pekin, Ill.) who safely completed his Last Run on November 25, 2025. His retirement became official on December 3. His railroad career began on December 13, 1993 when he hired out as a conductor...
Replacement ballots now available in BLET-Alstom/MARC contract vote
BLET members who work as locomotive engineers for Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC/Alstom) are currently voting on a tentative agreement. Ballots will be tabulated on Thursday, February 26. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the BLET...
BLET effort helps stop Metro-North expansion, protecting member jobs at Amtrak
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is backing off of a misguided plan to run Metro-North commuter trains on Amtrak territory, a move that would have resulted in job losses for members of the BLET. It was a team effort that led to this reversal and a win for BLET. After...
47 Republican members of Congress tell federal regulators if UP-NS merger doesn’t promote competition it shouldn’t move forward
A February 4 letter co-signed by 47 Republican members of Congress urges the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a “rigorous and comprehensive” review of proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The Representatives said that if STB cannot ensure that the...
