Rail Industry News
FRA publishes Q3 2020 PTC status report, says PTC operating on 99.6% of required route miles
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, November 18, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a quarterly status update on railroads’ self-reported progress, as of September...
SEPTA, Amtrak, PennDOT to improve signaling on Harrisburg line
(Source: Railway Age, November 17, 2020) NEW YORK — Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), in conjunction with Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will upgrade the signaling and train control system between Paoli...
BNSF addresses blocked crossings in Grand Island, but state regulators dismayed by slow response
(Source: Nebraska.tv, November 17, 2020) GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Burlington Northern Santa Fe has addressed concerns about blocked crossings in the Grand Island area, but state regulators are "dismayed" it took formal action to force the railroad to act. Full story:...
Baltimore’s inland port takes shape on e-commerce demand
(Source: Freight Waves, November 18, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Evidence of what was once the largest steel plant on the U.S. East Coast has rapidly disappeared as distribution centers begin to cover the 3,300-acre site near Baltimore. Full story: Freight Waves
New rail port to connect Texas and Mexico
(Source: Freight Waves, November 17, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The city of San Angelo, Texas, recently approved a $600,000 deal with South Plains Lamesa Railroad (SPLRR) to create a multi-commodity railroad transloading facility between central Texas and Mexico. Full...
Updated statement from NS on Sunday night derailment in Atlanta
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, November 17, 2020) NEW YORK — It has been confirmed that a member of the train’s crew sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital. Full story: Railway Track & Structures
KCS provides downbeat revenue outlook as protests in Mexico weigh
(Source: Market Watch, November 17, 2020) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern provided Tuesday a downbeat outlook for fourth-quarter revenue, as the rail road operator said protests blocking the Caltzontzin District in Mexico are hurting its volume and revenue...
CN proud to celebrate 25th anniversary of its privatization
(Source: CN press release, November 17, 2020) MONTREAL — Exactly 25 years ago today, the Government of Canada put shares up for sale to investors; at C$2.25 billion, it was the biggest IPO in Canadian history. At the time, CN was the largest and oldest Crown...
Brightline talks continue for new Miami-Dade commuter rail service
(Source: Railway Age, November 16, 2020) NEW YORK — Florida’s Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners has agreed to continue talks with Brightline on new commuter rail service along the Brightline/Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) corridor. Full story: Railway...
Texas high-speed rail company lacks permits to build Dallas-Houston route
(Source: Texas Tribune, November 17, 2020) DALLAS — Less than two months before the Texas Legislature begins its next session, the yearslong battle over a controversial high-speed rail project is expected to spark more legislative skirmishes. Full story: Texas...
CSX, Pan Am, conversions to rail and train lengths
(Source: Freight Waves, November 16, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A CSX executive confirmed that CSX has talked with short line Pan Am Railways about a possible future involving both companies, but he declined to comment further on the issue. Full story: Freight...
1 injured when NS train derails near NW Atlanta neighborhood
(Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 16, 2020) ATLANTA, Ga. — Local authorities arrived on scene about 8:25 p.m. A Norfolk Southern crew member was taken to a hospital with injuries and has since been released, according to the railroad. Full story:...
Across the region, officials and passengers seek to put brakes on MBTA service cuts
(Source: Boston Globe, November 16, 2020) BOSTON — The MBTA’s proposed budget cuts have sparked an outcry from passengers and political leaders who say scaling back public transit will have both immediate and longer-term ramifications, hindering frontline workers...
It’s all on the line for SEPTA and its riders, from service cuts to layoffs
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, November 17, 2020) PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — While pandemic-related budget woes have spurred other transit agencies to sound alarms, SEPTA has stayed relatively mute on potential cost-saving steps that would undoubtedly impact Philadelphia’s...
Q3 rail recap: The good and the not so good
(Source: Freight Waves, November 13, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — With the railroads’ third-quarter earnings releases over and done, it’s time to take a look at who the “winners” and “laggards” were in Q3. Full story: Freight Waves
FRA publishes final rule setting Amtrak performance standards for host railroads
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, November 16, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today published a final rule setting forth metrics and a minimum standard to measure the...
CP announces 2020 “Holiday Train at Home” concert
(Source: Canadian Pacific press release, November 13, 2020) CALGARY — Serena Ryder and The Trews will headline CP's 2020 "Holiday Train at Home" concert, which will stream on CP's Facebook page on Dec. 12. The event will raise money and awareness and help local food...
Activists press NJ Transit for more assurances, access on power plant project
(Source: www.nj.com, November 13, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Last month, NJ Transit was praised by environmentalists for considering solar and renewable options for the agency’s Transitgrid back-up power plant to provide electricity to key parts of the rail system, if there...
W.Va. announces online portal to report blocked railroad crossings
(Source: The Herald-Dispatch, November 16, 2020) HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Complaints about blocked railroad crossings in West Virginia have been difficult to investigate in real time, but a new online portal could make a difference for state inspectors. Full story: The...
Pa. seeks to add Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Amtrak train
(Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, November 16, 2020) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Amtrak’s proposal to add another Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg daily round-trip train in about three years is good news to Sharon Calloway of Uniontown, a frequent traveler on the Pennsylvanian train...
BLET News
Long Island to host BLET for annual EUMA
Arrangements Chairman Jim Brown and the members of BLET Division 269 are inviting all BLET members to Long Island, N.Y., for the Eastern Union Meeting Association’s 73rd annual convention, August 2-7, 2011.
Teamsters offer Disaster Relief assistance in six states
Assistance is available to members and households in storm ravaged counties in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
Funeral services for BLET member C.L. Carter
Funeral services are Wednesday for BLET member Christopher L. Carter, 57, who drowned in a flash flood on his way to work for the Union Pacific Railroad on May 1.
In the Line of Duty: Christopher L. Carter
A veteran BLET member drowned on his way to work on May 1 when his car was swept away by swiftly rising floodwaters in Mayflower, Ark.
Confer appointed BLET Special Rep, Director of Organizing
Kent N. Confer, a member of BLET Division 623 (McCook, Neb.), has been appointed as a Special Representative and Director of Organizing by BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce. He will also continue to serve as the BLET’s National Mobilization Coordinator for the Western United States.
BLET’s Western General Chairmen elect officers
The annual meeting of the BLET Western General Chairmen’s Association (WGCA) concluded here on April 20 with the election of officers, following a three-day meeting.
Asheville to host BLET for 84th SMA
Local Chairman Dewey R. Brown, his wife Christie, and BLET Division 267 are welcoming all BLET members to Asheville, N.C., for the Southeastern Meeting Association’s (SMA) 84th annual convention, slated for June 12-17, 2011.
In the Line of Duty: Tom Anderson
CLEVELAND, April 18 — Brother Tom Anderson, President of BLET Division 642, was one of two rail workers killed in the line of duty on April 17 in a rear-end collision involving two BNSF Railway freight trains in McPherson, Iowa.
Briggs re-elected to third term in Texas
The Texas State Legislative Board held its 13th quadrennial convention on April 5-6 in Austin, Texas. Texas State Legislative Board Chairman Terry Briggs of BLET Division 530 (Commerce, Texas) was re-elected to his third full term, after being elevated to the position in 2001.
Wisconsin State Legislative Board holds Quadrennial Meeting
Wisconsin State Legislative Board Chairman Tony Dimond of BLET Division 176 (Adams, Wisc.) was re-elected to his second full-term at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Madison, Wisc., on April 5-6, 2011.
