Rail Industry News
Virginia seals deal for $3.7 billion rail plan
(Source: Washington Post, March 30, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Virginia finalized agreements Tuesday with CSX, Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express as part of the state’s $3.7 billion passenger rail expansion program that seeks to relieve a rail bottleneck and get more...
California bullet train project reportedly facing additional delays
(Source: Associated Press, March 29, 2021) LOS ANGELES — Delays in securing land for California's high-speed rail project will push completion of a 65-mile section of the line in Kings County until at least April 2025 — nearly two years after the date the state...
CN to report Q1 2021 financial results on April 26
(Source: Canadian National press release, March 29, 2021) MONTREAL — CN will issue its first-quarter 2021 financial and operating results on April 26, 2021, at 4:01 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). CN's senior officers will review the results and the railway's outlook in a...
Walgreens to open first corporate COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Amtrak
(Source: Reuters, March 25, 2021) CHICAGO — Walgreens Boot Alliance is opening its first corporate COVID-19 vaccine clinics at several Amtrak offices in early April to vaccinate “large numbers” of the U.S. passenger railroad’s employees, the companies told Reuters...
MTA opens COVID-19 vaccination center at Jamaica Center
(Source: QNS.com, March 29, 2021) NEW YORK — One of the busiest transportation hubs in Queens is now operating as a COVID-19 vaccination distribution center for MTA personnel. The agency announced the launch of the new operation located in the Jamaica Control Center...
CN and Watco reach agreement on sale of rail lines in northern Ontario, Wisconsin and Michigan
(Source: Canadian National press release, March 30, 2021) MONTREAL — CN and Watco are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement for the sale of non-core lines and assets on the Soo subdivision (approximately 250 miles of track) that runs from Sault Ste....
As CP bulks up, rival takes a few attention-grabbing measures of its own
(Source: Financial Post, March 26, 2021) OTTAWA — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.’s plan to purchase Kansas City Southern will vie for business story of the year, but its long-time rival, Canadian National Railway Co., also has been doing some things that could help it...
U.S. millers consider impact of pending rail merger
(Source: World Grain, March 29, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Moving freight by truck and by rail was generally smooth last week, grain market participants said. While finding available trucks and willing drivers remain a challenge long term, the situation had improved...
Headcount among U.S. Class I railroads up slightly in February
(Source: Freight Waves, March 30, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Headcount among the U.S. Class I railroads rose nominally between January and February but declined nearly 11% year-over-year, according to data submitted to the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The train...
CP is chugging along with its proposed takeover of KCS, but CN has size and market cap in its favor
(Source: Toronto Star, March 27, 2021) TORONTO — With its proposed $25.2 billion (U.S.) takeover of Kansas City Southern announced this week, Calgary-based CP Rail (CP) would be adding a huge rail network in the U.S. and Mexico, allowing it to offer a more complete...
Amtrak offers cash to compensate for accessibility issues
(Source: WICS/WRSP, March 25, 2021) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — People with disabilities who traveled or wanted to travel from some Amtrak stations may receive financial compensation. Full story: www.khqa.com
Weekly U.S. coal train loadings fall 4.1% on week, rise 7.1% on year
(Source: S&P Global Platts, March 26, 2021) HOUSTON — U.S. coal train loadings declined in the week ended March 19, despite loadings from Northern and Central Appalachia reaching multi-month highs, Surface Transportation Board data showed March 26. Full story: S&P...
CSX train has 16 cars derail near Nashville early Saturday forcing shelter in place
(Source: Nashville Tennessean, March 27, 2021) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sixteen cars that were part of a CSX train derailed early Saturday morning near Due West Avenue and Freda Villa in the Madison area. Full story: www.tennessean.com
STB denies Colorado Midland’s request to expedite Tennessee Pass proposal
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 26, 2021) The Surface Transportation Board (STB) yesterday rejected the Colorado Midland & Pacific Railway Co.'s (CMPR) request to expedite its proposal to begin operating trains on the Tennessee Pass Line in Colorado. Full...
KCS expands Mexico rail service
(Source: Freight Waves, March 28, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The proposed $29 billion merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern aims to capitalize on an expected increase in the flow of trade among the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Full story: Freight...
NYC-NJ tunnel plan has a sense of urgency, Buttigieg says
(Source: Transport Topics, March 26, 2021) NEW YORK — The Biden administration is prioritizing the Gateway rail tunnel project between New York City and New Jersey with urgency because of its “national significance” to the economy, Transportation Secretary Pete...
Rail shippers wary of service issues in CP-KCS merger
(Source: Argus Media, March 26, 2021) OTTAWA — Shippers are holding judgment regarding Canadian Pacific's (CP) planned acquisition of US railroad Kansas City Southern (KCS), saying they need more time to analyze how the deal would affect rail service. Full story:...
Suspended Vermont Amtrak service poised for return
(Source: Associated Press, March 24, 2021) MONTPELIER, Vt. — Amtrak passenger rail service could be back on track in Vermont within the next few months, officials said. Full story: Burlington Free Press
Sen. Blumenthal, Rep. Davis introduce legislation permanently funding Amtrak
(Source: Transportation Today, March 25, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced legislation in both houses of Congress Tuesday to provide for permanent federal funding for Amtrak. Full story:...
Irish building materials giant launches legal action against U.S. railroad firms
(Source: The Independent, March 26, 2021) DUBLIN, Ireland — U.S. subsidiaries of Irish building materials giant CRH have launched a major legal action in America, claiming that for years railroad companies there engaged in a conspiracy to impose an artificially-high...
BLET News
$500 Disaster Grants available to Help Union Plus program participants impacted by Hurricane Sandy
Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help eligible participants in the Union Plus Credit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs who are facing financial hardship due to the disaster. The money does not have to be repaid. Funds are limited to the nearly $370,000 available in the Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund.
Congratulations Mr. President, and thank you Brothers and Sisters
To the BLET membership, I want to offer my most heartfelt thanks … for paying attention, for taking the time to understand the issues that impact our future, and for becoming involved.
Teamsters offer Sandy disaster relief assistance in New York, New Jersey; Revised deadline for Connecticut
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in New York and New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy caused major damage to homes and property on October 29, 2012. Also, the deadline to apply for previously-announced benefits in the state of Connecticut has been extended by 30 days.
BLET Job Bank: CN hiring qualified engineers along Illinois Central territory
CN has vacancies for qualified Locomotive Engineers at: Fulton, Ky., Memphis, Tenn., Jackson, Miss. and Baton Rouge, La.
Railroad Retirement Board reaches out to railroaders affected by Sandy
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is reminding rail employees out of work due to Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath that they may qualify for unemployment benefits.
December Secretary-Treasurer workshop is full: Waiting list created for 2013 classes
The BLET Education & Training Department has announced that the final Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop of 2012 is full. It is slated for December 9-13 in Cleveland.
Unemployment benefits information for BLET members impacted by Sandy
In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the BLET’s National Division is swinging into action to assist BLET members who have been impacted by the disaster.
Express Scripts implements emergency prescription plan for Hurricane Sandy
On October 27, a State of Emergency was declared in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.
Important notice: Open enrollment for former railroad employees and/or their dependents (Group Policy GA-23111)
During the months of November and December 2012, United Healthcare will hold an open enrollment under Group Policy GA-23111. During this period, any individual who is eligible for coverage under one of the GA-23111 plans can enroll and will be accepted for coverage without any medical underwriting or requirement of good health.
Open enrollment ends November 3 for new Flexible Spending Account
Open enrollment will be ending on November 3, 2012, for the new Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan, which is available to BLET members who work at participating railroads.
