Rail Industry News
Canadian government announces second phase of new brake rules
The Canadian government has announced new rules regarding rail air brake inspection and maintenance, to take effect Dec. 1, 2025.
FRA proposes amendment to freight car safety standards in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
This proposed amendment, on which FRA is seeking public comment, aims to further enhance the safety and security of the U.S. freight rail industry by introducing crucial restrictions on newly built freight cars placed into service within the U.S.
Federal grant to upgrade Empire Builder route in Montana
BNSF Railway will receive a federal grant for $14.9 million toward infrastructure improvements in and around Malta, Mont., U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced Thursday.
Pittsburgh-Harrisburg route improvements to receive $143.6 million federal grant
Infrastructure improvements to accommodate a second daily round trip of Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pa., will receive more than $143 million in federal funding, the state’s two U.S. senators have announced.
AAR reports rail traffic for November and the week ending December 2, 2023
For the week ending December 2, 2023, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 509,626 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.9 percent compared with the same week last year.
Now in vogue: Class I railroads buying short lines and regionals
It’s hard to say when a trend becomes a trend. But yesterday’s announcement that Canadian National will acquire the 253-mile Iowa Northern Railway suggests that short lines and regionals getting gobbled up by Class I railroads is now a thing.
NTSB recommends backup cameras for maintenance machinery as a result of fatal accident
The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for backup cameras on maintenance-of-way machinery, as well as other safety recommendations, as a result of a fatal accident involving a Norfolk Southern track gang at Reed, Pa., in December 2021.
Canada, U.S. to form task force to get locomotive emissions to net zero
The U.S. and Canadian governments plan to work together to reduce the railway sector’s greenhouse gas emissions via a task force that will explore accelerating the use of zero-emissions locomotive technologies.
NS installs new computer-aided yard operations system at Norris Yard
Norfolk Southern is installing Wabtec’s Yard Planner system at Norris Yard in Irondale, Ala., as part of an effort to improve the hump yard’s efficiency and make service more consistent.
Q&A: RRB appeals procedures
Persons claiming retirement, disability, or survivor annuities or unemployment or sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have the right to appeal unfavorable determinations on their claims.
President Biden announces $8.2 Billion in new grants for high-speed rail and pipeline of projects nationwide
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced that it has awarded $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects across the country while announcing corridor planning activities that will impact every region nationwide.
Labor unions urge STB to press big U.S. railroads on employment and service levels
A coalition of rail labor unions has criticized the U.S. Class I railroads’ hiring efforts, their pace of service improvements, and the industry’s safety record in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board.
Biden administration pledges $6 billion to a pair of high-speed electric rail routes in U.S. West
U.S. senators from California and Nevada said the federal government will give $3 billion for a planned privately-owned route between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area plus another $3.1 billion for an initial segment of California’s publicly-funded effort to eventually connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Legislators announce selection of eight more passenger routes for FRA Corridor ID program
Selection provides funding for studies that are a prelude to new or expanded Amtrak service.
Senator Brown: Washington selects 4 routes for expansion priorities
The Federal Railroad Administration has selected four routes serving Ohio and other states as priorities for Amtrak expansion, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio said Tuesday.
NS to end relocation aid right after one-year anniversary of East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern railroad plans to stop paying relocation aid to people displaced by last February’s fiery derailment in eastern Ohio right after the one-year anniversary of the crash.
BMWED, Union Pacific tussle over furloughs
Debate about furloughs at Union Pacific and how many employees could be affected continue to play out in the public arena following a recent industry conference where Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman called out Union Pacific leadership.
FRA wants railroads to bolster winter operation procedures
U.S. railroads should beef up the procedures they use for responding to adverse weather conditions, including seeing how weather-related technologies can be integrated into positive train control and whether the railroads can collaborate on developing best practices, according to a safety advisory from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Railyard explosion, inspections raise safety questions about Union Pacific’s hazmat shipping
Federal inspectors have twice found hundreds of defects in the locomotives and railcars Union Pacific uses at the world’s largest railyard in Nebraska, but none of those seem to explain why a shipping container filled with toxic acid exploded there this fall.
Failed wheel bearing caused Kentucky derailment, CSX says
CSX says a failed wheel bearing caused the Nov. 22 derailment that led to an evacuation of residents in Livingston, Ky., on Thanksgiving.
BLET News
Organizing: Chalk another one up. Watco workers say yes to BLET.
The BLET notched its first organizing win of 2025 as employees at Watco voted to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board on February 26. Watco owns and operates 45 regional short line railroads throughout the United States, and the...
Maryland: Not so fast, CSX. BLET takes action to stop railroad from using managers to pilot engineers.
Renovations to the 125-year-old Howard Tunnel in Baltimore led to train rerouting. CSX used managers as pilots initially until the BLET put a stop to it. Photo: Associated Press ____________________ A historic tunnel constructed in the late 1800s has led to a 2025...
BNSF: New Local Chairmen complete training
Twenty newly-elected Local Chairmen from BNSF General Committees of Adjustment participated in training sessions in February designed to help them become familiar with their duties under the BLET Bylaws. Most of the participants in the training session are taking...
Don’t mess with Texas: BLET member joins annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup
Blake Stephens of BLET Division 863 (left) helps Texas State Legislative Board Chairman Ben Wright get up close and personal with a western diamondback rattlesnake at the Texas Capitol. ____________________ Some people equate lobbying activity with snake handling....
Black History Month: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King who stood up for labor rights as well as civil rights
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is widely known as a civil rights leader, as a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and as a skilled orator. It’s also important to remember that Dr. King’s vision extended beyond racial equality to include organizing for better working and...
Utah: New law bans collective bargaining for public sector workers, a threat to the entire labor movement
Union members protesting anti-worker legislation at the state capital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo: Associated Press ____________________ A regressive collective bargaining ban that strips Utah’s public sector workers of their long-held worker rights was passed by...
Reminder: March 1 is the deadline for children and dependents of Teamster members to apply for a valuable scholarship opportunity
As a reminder, March 1 is the deadline to apply for financial aid from the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. Academic scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 are available to high school seniors who are the sons/daughters/financial dependents of Teamster...
In memoriam: BLET mourns the passing of Bob Broka, long-time Director of Records and Honorary Member
Robert D. (“Bob”) Broka, who served the BLET National Division as Director of Records, passed away on February 13. He was 77 years old. Broka began working for the Brotherhood in 1970 and retired in 2010. His 40 years of service spanned the administration of 11...
New Mexico: BLET-backed rail safety legislation would mandate wayside detectors every 10 miles and protect workers who report safety violations
Members of the BLET’s New Mexico State Legislative Board, from left: Gil Tafoya, Div. 791; Steve Seale, Div. 192; Gilbert Montiel, Div. 446; Clem Harris, Div. 15; Charlie Jeffcoat, Div. 811; and Mike Willis, Div. 446. (Not pictured: Alvin Largo, Div. 400)...
Bipartisan rail safety legislation seeks to prevent another East Palestine
The BLET is backing new bipartisan legislation to improve railroad safety recently introduced by members of the 119th Congress. Vice President J.D. Vance also called for common sense rail safety legislation recently and indicated that the administration would support...
