Rail Industry News
Downeaster still chugging along despite low ridership
(Source: Lewiston Sun Journal, November 24, 2020) BRUNSWICK — The coronavirus pandemic has stopped the Downeaster passenger rail service’s record growth in its tracks, although Amtrak’s northern line is still chugging along. Full story: www.sunjournal.com
Brightline, Disney agree to build train station in Orlando
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 24, 2020) Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort yesterday announced they've entered into an agreement to build a train station at the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida. Full...
Santa Train keeps its annual appointment, but with some big changes
(Source: Appalachian News-Express, November 24, 2020) PIKEVILLE, Ky. — COVID-19 has canceled many events this year including the traditional CSX Santa Train. While the 78th Santa Train itself didn’t make its annual run, the Santa Train helpers made adaptations with...
D.C. Teamsters partner for food bank to help those in need
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, November 24, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the past two Saturdays, volunteers converged on Local 639 in Washington, D.C. to help distribute food to families in need as part of a charitable effort run by...
NS: More than a dozen train cars derail in Southwest Ohio
(Source: Dayton Daily News, November 24, 2020) DAYTON, Ohio — An early-morning derailment of 12 to 16 Norfolk Southern train cars caused closures to U.S. 127 in Wayne Twp. on Tuesday, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. No injuries were reported. Full...
CSX: 21 train cars derail near Baltimore, no injuries reported
(Source: WBAL TV-11, November 24, 2020) BALTIMORE, Md. — Baltimore City Fire crews responded to a CSX freight train derailment in North Baltimore on Monday night. Full story: www.wbal.com
UP: Hydrochloric acid spilled during California derailment
(Source: Visalia Times Delta, November 24, 2020) VISALIA, Calif. — The cause of a six-train car pileup remains unknown today, 24-plus hours after the wreck along Highway 99. No one was injured, however, tankers full of hazardous material were at risk of spilling over,...
Opinion: Defining Amtrak’s true mission
(Source: Railway Age opinion column by Tony Coscia, November 23, 2020. Mr. Coscia is Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors.) NEW YORK — It has been an honor to serve on the Amtrak Board for the past decade. I am extremely proud of the hardworking employees at...
KCS VP sells $287,000 in company stock
(Source: Market Beat, November 23, 2020) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern VP Lora S. Cheatum sold 1,519 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, November 20. The stock was sold at an average price of $188.95, for a total transaction of $287,015.05....
Overturned tank cars removed nearly 24 hours after UP derailment in California
(Source: ABC30.com, November 24, 2020) FRESNO, Calif. — California Highway Patrol officers continue to direct a slow line of traffic up one lane of northbound Highway 99 in Tulare County on Tuesday morning, nearly 24 hours after a train derailment shut down the...
Railroads approaching PTC implementation, FRA says
(Source: Transport Topics, November 23, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The automatic braking system Congress is mandating for the country’s railroads is almost implemented on the route miles required by law, according to federal regulators’ most recent update. Full story:...
Report finds Hudson River rail tunnels could be rehabbed, but critics are wary
(Source: www.nj.com, November 24, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — A similar solution that spared subway riders from a painful service disruption for tunnel repairs could be used on the 110-year-old Hudson River rail tunnels damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, said a consultant’s...
October U.S. Class I rail headcount drops despite rising volumes
(Source: Freight Waves, November 23, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Rail employment headcount in October among the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads fell to its second lowest level in 2020, according to the latest data from the Surface Transportation Board. U.S....
Amtrak reports $801.1 million operating loss
(Source: Railway Age, November 23, 2020) NEW YORK — Amtrak reported today preliminary results for fiscal year 2020 (October 2019-September 2020), including an operating loss of $801.1 million due to the pandemic. Operating revenues were $2.3 billion, a decrease of...
Amtrak supports end to RRB benefits sequester
(Source: Transportation Today, November 23, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak officials are espousing the benefits of a federal measure designed to provide equality to rail workers by ending the worker benefits sequester. Full story: Transportation Today
Minot’s new intermodal rail ramp “ramps up”
(Source: AG Week, November 23, 2020) MINOT, N.D. — They’re ramping up the intermodal “ramp” at Minot, N.D., a key piece of what could become very important as an international launching pad for specialty crop growers and exporters. Full story: AG Week
Amtrak, NJ Transit complete refresh of ticketed waiting area at NY Penn Station
(Source: Amtrak press release, November 20, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT have completed the second and final phase of the Ticketed Waiting Area refresh at New York Penn Station at the Amtrak Concourse on the Upper Level and 8th Avenue side of the...
Union Pacific eyes Upper Midwest for intermodal opportunities
(Source: Freight Waves, November 21, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Union Pacific is hoping to attract more intermodal customers in the Upper Midwest now that it has an intermodal terminal in Minneapolis. Full story: Freight Waves
EVP, CMO of Kansas City Southern is exercising options
(Source: Smarter Analyst, November 20, 2020) NEW YORK — Yesterday it was reported that the EVP, CMO of Kansas City Southern, Michael Naatz, exercised options to sell 5,355 KSU shares at $105.63 a share, for a total transaction value of $1.01 million. Full story:...
Weekly U.S. coal train loadings climb to five week high
(Source: S&P Global Platts, November 20, 2020) HOUSTON — U.S. coal train loadings rose to a five-week high in the week ended Nov. 13, as loadings from Northern Appalachia jumped to a seven-month high, Surface Transportation Board data showed Nov. 20. Full story: S&P...
BLET News
BLET to conduct workshop for Legislative Reps
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the National Legislative Office and the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC), will conduct a workshop for BLET Division Legislative Representatives in Washington, D.C., from October 2-7, 2011.
Rail Conference, RLBC seek release from mediation
The Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC) has asked to be released from federal mediation. The RLBC is comprised of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (both divisions of the Teamster Rail Conference), the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (SEIU), the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Blacksmiths.
Replacement ballots available for Amtrak tentative agreement
Contract information and ballots were mailed to approximately 1,500 BLET members on June 2, 2011, for voting on the union’s tentative agreement with Amtrak. Members who did not receive a ballot can request a replacement by contacting the BLET National Division.
BLET’S 84th Southeastern Meeting Association begins
The 84th annual convention of the BLET’s Southeastern Meeting Association began yesterday in Asheville, N.C.
BLET statement on cancellation of Metra trains
Dennis R. Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) issued the following statement today in connection with this morning’s cancellation of several Metra trains that operate over the UP West Line:
Teamsters offer Disaster Relief assistance in Oklahoma
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members in Oklahoma after severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds caused major damage to homes and property on May 22, 2011.
BLET Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak is recruiting to fill a locomotive engineer positions in Washington D.C. and surrounding areas.
Funeral tomorrow for fallen BLET member J.G. Hadden
BLET member James Gregory Hadden will be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Abbeville, S.C.
Update: Teamsters Disaster Relief assistance expanded in Missouri
The Teamsters have expanded their Disaster Relief Fund efforts in Missouri to include several additional counties that have been declared disaster areas.
Memorial Day 2011
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
Memorial Day is the day when we Americans pay special tribute to our veterans and soldiers for defending our country and our way of life.
