Rail Industry News
In a leaky underwater rail tunnel, workers race against time
(Source: Associated Press, March 26, 2021) WEEHAWKEN, N.J. — Seven stories below street level on the edge of the Hudson River, a race against time is being waged, foot by painstaking foot. Full story: www.ksat.com
STB rules that CSX-Pan Am deal is a “significant” transaction, asks CSX to refile application
(Source: Freight Waves, March 26, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has asked that CSX resubmit its application seeking permission to acquire New England short line Pan Am Railways. Filing the application as a “significant” transaction...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending March 20, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, March 24, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 20, 2021. Comparisons of the current week with the same week in 2020 are...
Wabtec acquires rail equipment manufacturer Nordco
(Source: Freight Waves, March 23, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Pittsburgh-headquartered rail technology provider Wabtec is acquiring Nordco, which supplies new, rebuilt and used maintenance-of-way equipment. Nordco, which had belonged to parent company Greenbriar Equity...
Tank car explosion spews molasses over a mile and a half
(Source: RiverTowns.net, March 23, 2021) CANNON FALLS, Minn. — A railcar holding molasses exploded, spewing a sticky mess and damaging property at Progressive Rail on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Full story: www.rivertowns.net
5 Wall Street impressions about proposed CP Rail-KCS merger
(Source: Freight Waves, March 24, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Canadian Pacific announced plans to acquire Kansas City Southern for $29 billion on Sunday morning. Here are five initial impressions from Wall Street transportation analysts about this proposed transaction....
Report: Canadian oil producers hope CP deal results in new route to Gulf Coast
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 24, 2021) Canadian Pacific's proposed $25 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern offers "renewed hope" for expanded access to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries by Canadian oil producers in the wake of the Biden administration's...
CP Rail-KCS merger has agricultural shippers on alert, industry expert says
(Source: Successful Farming, March 24, 2021) DES MOINES, Iowa — A recent announcement of a merger in the railroad industry is not being called a train wreck, but there may be concerns for agricultural commodity shipments, according to Mike Steenhoek, executive...
CP Rail-KCS merger to unite loading and unloading links for bitumen transport
(Source: Canadian Press, March 24, 2021) CALGARY — A partner in a project designed to allow more oilsands bitumen to be shipped by rail from Canada to Texas says the US$25-billion merger of Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and U.S. rival Kansas City Southern announced...
STB to review CSX, CP-KCS cases “expeditiously,” chair says
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 24, 2021) The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has received a "notice of intent" regarding Canadian Pacific's proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern, which as a merger between two Class Is would be classified as the...
COVID-19 outbreak declared at CN Rail in Manitoba
(Source: CTV News, March 24, 2021) WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Manitoba health officials are warning the public about COVID-19 outbreaks in the province, including at CN Rail. In an email to CTV News, Unifor, the union that represents CN workers, said there are 16 confirmed...
AAR: One year of pandemic-related traffic disruptions
(Source: Railway Age, March 24, 2021) NEW YORK — Total U.S. rail traffic came in at 513,325 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending March 20, an “inflated” 11.6% increase over the same period last year when the pandemic caused “widespread economy-wide...
Court: Amtrak, not engineer, liable for deadly 2017 derailment near DuPont, Wash.
(Source: The News Tribune, March 24, 2021) TACOMA, Wash. — A Pierce County Superior Court judge has ruled that Amtrak is strictly liable for the claim of its engineer who sued for his injuries after a deadly 2017 derailment near DuPont, Washington. Full story:...
Village of Bement, Ill., working with NS to address blocked crossings
(Source: Television station WCIA, March 22, 2021) BEMENT, Ill. — Village leaders in Bement are working with Norfolk Southern Corp. to address concerns over trains blocking all three village crossings for extended periods of time. Full story: www.wcia.com
CN to host annual meeting of shareholders on April 27
(Source: Canadian National press release, March 23, 2021) MONTREAL — CN today announced the nomination of two new directors to its Board: Denise Gray and Justin Howell. With the election of CN’s full slate of directors, as detailed in the management information...
CSX to announce Q1 2021 results on April 20
(Source: CSX press release, March 23, 2021) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. will release first quarter financial and operating results after the market close on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. This will be followed by a conference call and live webcast hosted by the company’s...
Baltimore’s Penn Station getting $90 million upgrade this spring
(Source: CBS Baltimore, March 21, 2021) BALTIMORE, Md. — Serving three million passengers a year, Baltimore’s Penn Station is Amtrak’s eighth busiest station in the United States, and now they’re making a $90 million investment to upgrade the facilities. Full story:...
Idaho’s first intermodal rail terminal to be built in Pocatello
(Source: Idaho State Journal, March 24, 2021) POCATELLO, Idaho — A Salt Lake City-based transportation and logistics company has announced plans to build the state’s first intermodal rail terminal in Pocatello, thereby making it quicker and cheaper to export a variety...
Class I railroads outline 2021 projections, February weather impacts
(Source: Freight Waves, March 23, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — All of the publicly traded Class I railroads presented at investment bank JP Morgan’s industrial conference last week. See story below for some themes expressed through the multiday event. Full story:...
CP Rail merger with KCS expected to benefit Canadian shippers
(Source: Canadian Press, March 23, 2021) CALGARY — The merger of Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and Kansas City Southern promises improved service for Canadian shippers, but the impact on crude-by-rail volumes will be muted, observers said Monday. Full story: Canadian...
BLET News
President Pierce leads Get Out The Vote rally with Division 28 in Tucson
Last week, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce joined members of the BLET Advisory Board in Tucson, Ariz., for meetings and a rally to encourage members to get out the vote on November 6.
Nick Johnson reelected by acclamation to serve as Arizona SLB Chairman
Brother G.N. “Nick” Johnson was reelected by acclamation to continue serving as Chairman of the Arizona State Legislative Board at the Board””s triennial meeting in Tucson, Ariz., on October 23.
Romney is not coal’s savior
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President As you all know by now, BLET’s “Proud to be American, Proud to be Union” campaign has been part of a bigger National Division effort to increase member involvement in our union. Involvement in your union is involvement in your future and every member should take an active interest in both.
BLET mourns loss of Div. 42 President Brian Wheeler
Brian D. Wheeler, President of BLET Division 42 (St. Louis, Mo.), passed away following complications from a rare blood disorder known as myelodysplastic syndrome on Tuesday, October 16.
Tim Craver reelected Chairman of Virginia State Legislative Board
Tim R. Craver was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Virginia State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Richmond, Va., on September 29.
BLET to host final Secretary-Treasurer workshop of 2012
The BLET’s Education and Training Department is hosting its final Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop of 2012 from December 9-13 in Cleveland.
Pierce appoints John Fink to President’s Staff
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced today that Division 3 Local Chairman John F. Fink has been appointed to a position on the President’s Staff, effective Monday, October 22.
Open enrollment begins November 1, 2012 for BLET Short Term Disability Plan
Open Enrollment for 2013 under the BLET’s Short Term Disability insurance plan begins on November 1, 2012 and runs through December 14, 2012.
BLET announces formation of New Mexico State Legislative Board
BLET members in New Mexico will soon have an organized voice in their state’s political process once again. The BLET New Mexico State Legislative Board will be reestablished in November, thanks to the hard work of many BLET members throughout the state.
Hoffa to rally Teamsters at GOTV rally in Cleveland on Saturday
Jim Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, will attend a major Get Out The Vote rally in Cleveland on Saturday, October 13. All BLET members in Ohio and surrounding states are encouraged to attend.
