Rail Industry News
Editorial: South Carolina’s investment of $550 million for the port could be a good bet
(Source: Editorial in the Post and Courier, February 27, 2021) CHARLESTON, S.C. — It’s laudable that South Carolina lawmakers are scrutinizing the State Ports Authority’s request to borrow up to $550 million to make upgrades to the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal taking...
Pan Am Railways sale advancing to STB
(Source: Railway Age, February 26, 2021) NEW YORK — CSX is submitting an application to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to acquire the Pan Am System, including Pan Am Railways (PAR) and its 50% stake in Pan Am Southern (PAS), the Class I railroad reported Feb....
Railroads tout trains over trucks in climate pitch to Biden
(Source: Bloomberg, March 1, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. freight railroads are trying to take advantage of a train enthusiast president who’s concerned about global warming with a lobbying campaign depicting their industry as a solution to climate change. Full...
Warren Buffett again encourages investors to bet on America
(Source: Associated Press, February 27, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Billionaire Warren Buffett encouraged investors to maintain their faith in America's economy and the businesses his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns in a reassuring letter to his shareholders Saturday....
Teamsters pleased by House approval of stimulus bill containing pension reforms
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, February 27, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Teamsters are applauding the House’s passage of a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill today that includes language granting relief to hundreds of endangered...
Keystone XL’s death sparks rush to ship oil-sands by rail
(Source: Bloomberg, February 24, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline is sparking renewed interest in shipping Canadian oil-sands crude by rail, and that comes with its own environmental risks. Without...
Editorial: Railroaders’ lives at stake in Nebraska two-person crew debate
(Source: Editorial in the North Platte Telegraph, February 28, 2021) NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Business efficiency is important. But the safety of railroad employees, not to mention the public, must always take priority. Full story: North Platte Telegraph
CN undertakes new environmental, social and governance initiatives
(Source: Canadian National Railway press release, February 24, 2021) MONTREAL — The Board of Directors of CN is pleased to announce measures that will reinforce the Company’s status as a leader in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) among North American Class...
TSB preliminary statistics show decrease in number of air and rail incidents in Canada
(Source: Transportation Safety Board press release, February 25, 2021) GATINEAU, Quebec — Following an initial review of its 2020 data, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is today providing a summary of preliminary transportation occurrence statistics....
Buttigieg, Alghabra commit to “reinvigorate” U.S., Canada transportation partnership
(Source: Railway Age, February 25, 2021) NEW YORK — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra will team “to fight climate change and limit the environmental impacts” from the countries’ transportation networks, USDOT...
No agreement yet between Amtrak and CSX for passenger rail return to Gulf Coast
(Source: NBC 15, February 25, 2021) MOBILE, Ala. — Amtrak told NBC 15 News Tuesday night it intends to restore daily routes to New Orleans as early as possible next year. However, we've learned it's not a done deal. Amtrak has not reached an agreement with CSX, the...
Cincinnati City Council passes resolution in support of Amtrak’s proposed expansion in Ohio
(Source: Television station WLWT, February 24, 2021) HAMILTON, Ohio — Cincinnati City Council has passed a resolution in support of Amtrak's proposed expansion of passenger rail services in Ohio. Full story: www.wlwt.com
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen members ratify Metra agreement
(Source: Progressive Railroading, February 26, 2021) After serving notice under Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act in February 2019, the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Company (METRA) and members of Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen Local 183 reached a...
BNSF says it is prepared to haul more oil
(Source: Radio station WNAX, February 25, 2021) YANKTON, S.D. — BNSF Railway is prepared to handle additional volume resulting from shutdown of the Keystone XL Pipeline and uncertainty surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline. BNSF Regional Ag Development Manager Maia...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending February 20, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, February 24, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 20, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was...
Winter weather wallops U.S. rail traffic
(Source: Freight Waves, February 25, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. rail volumes took a hit last week from the extreme winter weather experienced in the southern and central regions of the country. Full story: Freight Waves
Mardi Gras Express? Amtrak trains could run from New Orleans to Mobile starting in 2022
(Source: Associated Press, February 24, 2021) MOBILE, Ala. — Amtrak passenger service along the Gulf Coast is on track to return in 2022 — and could come in the early part of next year, a company official said. Full story: www.nola.com
CSX, NS trains collide in Augusta, Georgia
(Source: Television station WRDW, February 24, 2021) AUGUST, Ga. — Richmond County deputies responded to an accident involving a Norfolk Southern train striking a CSX train on Wednesday evening, February 24, near Glass Factory Avenue in August, Ga. Richmond County...
U.S. weekly coal carloads drop to eight-month low
(Source: S&P Global Platts, February 24, 2021) HOUSTON — US coal carload originations fell to an eight-month low 48,745 in the week that ended Feb. 20, down 10.6% from 54,496 a week earlier and the lowest since 48,699 in the week ended June 6, 2020, as a winter storm...
Class I employment levels fell in January 2021
(Source: Progressive Railroading, February 23, 2021) U.S. Class Is employed 113,461 people in mid-January, down 3.66% compared with December 2020's employment levels and down 11.57% year over year, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. All workforce...
BLET News
KCS General Chairman Sam Parker reelected by acclamation
General Chairman Sam W. Parker was reelected by acclamation to his fifth consecutive term of office at the Kansas City Southern General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in Shreveport, La., May 15-17, 2012.
RRB announces updated list of informational conferences for 2012
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board has announced the scheduling of additional informational conferences for the remainder of 2012. The most recent announcement includes dates and locations of meetings for the final six months of the year.
Ballots mailed in tentative Montana Rail Link agreement
A tentative agreement has been reached between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Montana Rail Link, Inc. (MRL). Ballots are being mailed today.
National Labor College announces hazardous materials instructors training
The National Labor College’s Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is offering three train-the-trainer courses this summer.
BLET members unanimously ratify contract at Eastern Idaho RR
For the second time in 2012, BLET members have unanimously approved a new contract agreement with a short line railroad.
NS-Southern Lines GCA: Mark Wallace elected General Chairman by acclamation
Mark L. Wallace was elected by acclamation to serve as General Chairman of the Norfolk Southern – Southern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at its quadrennial meeting in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 8.
Deadline approaching for 2012 SMA in Orlando, Fla.
May 31 is the early registration deadline for members planning to attend the BLET’s 85th annual Southeastern Meeting Association convention. The convention is slated for June 24-29 at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.
BLET members ratify new contract at Great Western Rwy. of Colorado
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR).
FRA issues Safety Advisory 2012-02 regarding restricted speed
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published Safety Advisory 2012-02 on April 25 to remind railroads and their employees of the importance of complying with restricted speed operating rules.
NTSB cites fatigue in fatal 2011 rear-end collision
The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that crew member fatigue was a major cause of a fatal rear-end collision involving a BNSF coal train and a standing maintenance of way equipment train in Red Oak, Iowa, that occurred on April 17, 2011.
