Rail Industry News
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...
What a well-funded passenger rail system could look like in the Midwest under “Amtrak Joe”
(Source: Minnpost.com, November 13, 2020) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — There’s little doubt that one of President-elect Biden’s favorite federal programs is Amtrak, America’s 50-year-old, subpar rail system. Full story: www.minnpost.com
President-elect Joe Biden expected to be a friend to Amtrak
(Source: Business Insider, November 15, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Joe Biden is no stranger to America's rail system. Having used Amtrak to commute between Washington, DC and his home in Delaware for decades during his time as a US senator, the frequent...
Part 2: The ICC and the railroads
(Source: Freight Waves, November 14, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Interstate Commerce Act was passed in 1887 in response to rising public concern with the growing power and wealth of corporations, particularly railroads, during the late 19th century. At that time,...
BLET News
BLET members join the fight in Wisconsin and Ohio
BLET members have been on the front lines of the battle to protect the rights of union workers in Wisconsin and Ohio.
BLET Education & Training Dept. to conduct General Chairman workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the BLET Arbitration Department, is offering a General Chairman’s workshop in St. Louis, Mo., the week of April 17, 2011.
BLET, MBCR reach tentative agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative agreement with the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) that would provide members with general wage increases worth 13.7 percent over the four-year contract.
BLET members flood Hill to save Amtrak
More than 20 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen inundated Capitol Hill on February 17, visiting nearly 100 offices to help save Amtrak’s funding and to lobby on behalf of the interests of their fellow BLET members.
Atlanta ST Workshop is full; Space remains in Vancouver
The BLET’s Education and Training Department reports that space remains in the upcoming Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshops in Vancouver, Wash. However, the class scheduled for Atlanta, Ga., is full.
BLET national bargaining update: February 2011
A message from BLET National President Dennis Pierce regarding the current round of national contract negotiations.
Wisconsin Teamsters take to the streets
Our Teamster brothers and sisters behind the cheese curtain have been in the thick of things.
Revised Federal income tax withholding for many RRB annuitants
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has adjusted the railroad retirement benefits of over 140,000 beneficiaries to apply new Federal income tax withholding rates.
Watts memorial fund established for fallen Brother
A memorial fund has been established for the family of Brother Stanley L. Watts, 43, a Norfolk Southern engineer who was killed in a switching accident in Kankakee, Ill., on February 8.
In the line of duty: Stanley L. Watts
Stanley L. Watts, Secretary-Treasurer of BLET Division 354 (Kankakee, Ill.), was killed in the line of duty on February 8 following a switching accident at a Norfolk Southern yard in Kankakee, Ill.
