Rail Industry News
CP failed to identify hazards linked to deadly derailment, Transport Canada finds
(Source: CBC, October 24, 2020) CALGARY — Transport Canada has concluded CP Rail failed to properly identify safety hazards in the B.C. mountains following a workplace fatality investigation into a train derailment which killed three workers, CBC News has learned....
Norfolk Southern reports third-quarter 2020 results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, October 28, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. During the quarter, the company achieved net income of $569 million, diluted earnings per...
Connecticut awarded $144 million in federal funds for rail bridge replacements
(Source: Stamford Advocate, October 26, 2020) STAMFORD, Conn. — Connecticut has been awarded more than $144 million in federal funding to support the replacement of the Walk Bridge in Norwalk and Connecticut River Bridge connecting Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, Gov. Ned...
Five rail operators join forces to tag train cars with telematic sensors
(Source: DC Velocity, October 23, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Five railroad operators have joined a venture to accelerate the adoption of telematics technology across the North American railcar fleet, saying Wednesday that adding arrays of sensors to trains could improve...
Jim Cramer makes a case for Union Pacific to acquire Kansas City Southern
(Source: CNBC, October 26, 2020) NEW YORK — CNBC’s Jim Cramer on Monday, reviewing earnings reports from the railroad companies that have reported thus far, suggested that the rail industry could benefit from consolidation. Full story: CNBC
Amtrak has expansion within the San Antonio-Dallas-Houston triangle “under review”
(Source: Houston Chronicle, October 23, 2020) HOUSTON — Amtrak has made significant cuts to service in response to COVID-19-related plunges in ridership, including San Antonio's daily routes, but the city remains part of its expansion talks. Full story: Houston...
NJ Transit heads into home stretch on PTC install
(Source: www.nj.com, October 24, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Train service or no train service? The looming Dec. 31 deadline for NJ Transit to have a federally mandated safety system approved and running is close to two months away. Full story: www.nj.com
Canadian Pacific breached labor law in derailment that killed 3 workers
(Source: Calgary Herald, October 24, 2020) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway violated labor law by neglecting to identify hazards that led to a 2019 derailment that killed three crew members near Field, B.C., says Ottawa. Full story: Calgary Herald
BNSF to layoff 104 Topeka employees
(Source: Television station WIBW, October 23, 2020) TOPEKA, Kan. — BNSF announced they will be laying-off over 100 employees at one of their Topeka locations. According to a written statement sent to 13 NEWS, the layoff of 104 employees as their Topeka Locomotive Shop...
Union Pacific intermodal service level suffers after sharp increase in West Coast volume
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, October 23, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Union Pacific's intermodal trip plan compliance fell 4% YoY in Q3 as volume came back to the railroad nearly as quickly as it dropped in Q2, Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena said on a Thursday earnings...
UP reports Q3 2020 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, October 22, 2020) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2020 third quarter net income of $1.4 billion, or $2.01 per diluted share. This compares to $1.6 billion, or $2.22 per diluted share, in the third quarter...
UP reports lower Q3 2020 net income
(Source: Railway Age, October 22, 2020) NEW YORK — Union Pacific’s net income of $1.4 billion for the third quarter of 2020 was down 12% from $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2019. Operating revenue of $4.9 billion fell 11%, compared to $5.5 billion in 3Q2019....
After protests, NJ Transit makes major change to plan for controversial power plant
(Source: www.nj.com, October 20, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — After more than a year of protests on land and even in the water, environmentalists got their wish. An NJ Transit project to build a back-up power system to keep trains running will be fueled by solar and battery...
CN won’t “chop, chop, chop” to drive efficiency, CEO says
(Source: BNN Bloomberg, October 21, 2020) MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co.’s top executive said he isn't prepared to further slash costs to keep the railway's operating ratio low while risking the company's long-term future. Full story: BNN Bloomberg
Wabtec to reduce headcount at Erie plant as rail industry copes with lower volumes
(Source: Freight Waves, October 21, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Wabtec plans to let go of 150 employees at its facility in Erie, Pennsylvania, amid ongoing rail volume softness exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: Freight Waves
At Senate hearing, Amtrak CEO pleads for federal funding as COVID-19 decimates ridership
(Source: Forbes, October 21, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak CEO William Flynn on Wednesday asked the Senate to provide emergency funding to help the transportation company operate next year, as ridership continues to decline amid the pandemic and is forecasted to...
Amtrak urged to not reduce Empire Builder service
(Source: Great Falls Tribune, October 21, 2020) GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A business leader from the Hi-Line joined Montana's two senators on Wednesday in urging a top Amtrak official to reconsider temporary reductions made to daily rail service in the Treasure State,...
Class I September employment down from August count
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 21, 2020) Class Is as of mid-September employed 118,123 people, down 0.3% from mid-August's level and down 13.69% from September 2019's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. Four of six employment...
Lower revenue dents CSX’s Q3 2020 profit
(Source: Freight Waves, October 21, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — CSX reported third-quarter 2020 net income of $736 million, or 96 cents per share, compared with $856 million, or $1.08 per share, in the third quarter of 2019 amid a drop in revenue and “lower economic...
CSX announces Q3 2020 results, authorizes additional $5 billion share buyback
(Source: CSX press release, October 21, 2020) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. today announced third quarter 2020 net earnings of $736 million, or $0.96 per share, versus $856 million, or $1.08 per share in the same period last year. Despite lower economic activity...
BLET News
BLET publishes election endorsements
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is providing its members with a list of endorsed candidates for both federal and statewide elections for use in the upcoming November 2 elections.
UP GC Bruce MacArthur reelected by acclamation to seventh term
Bruce D. MacArthur was reelected by acclamation to his seventh term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Northern District General Committee of Adjustment during Quadrennial meetings in Reno, Nevada, September 29-30, 2010.
Indiana Chairman Bill Verdeyen reelected by acclamation to fifth term
Bill Verdeyen was reelected by acclamation to his fifth term as Chairman of the Indiana State Legislative Board at Quadrennial meetings held in Indianapolis, Ind., on September 28-29, 2010.
BLET VP Ruef appointed NRAB Vice Chairman
Marcus J. Ruef, BLET National Vice President & Arbitration Director, was elected Vice Chairman of the full National Railroad Adjustment Board (NRAB) at meetings in Chicago on September 22. His term of office began on October 1, 2010.
BLET concludes 2nd National Convention
The BLET’s 2nd National Convention kicked off on Monday October 4, 2010 and concluded on Thursday October 7, 2010. The Convention was a Bylaws and Nominating Convention in the build up to this November’s historic rank-and-file election of National Division officers. While they are in session at the Convention, the delegates constitute the governing body of the BLET.
BLET delegates establish Gary Perrien benevolent fund
Through the generosity of Brother Gary L. Perrien and the delegates attending the BLET’s Second National Convention, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will establish a benevolent fund to assist the spouses and children of BLET members in need.
Videos available from BLET Second National Convention
As part of its coverage of the BLET’s Second National Convention, the National Division is making the following speeches available to all members of the Brotherhood: Jim Hoffa, Dennis Pierce, Bill Walpert, John Murphy and Cecil Roberts.
FRA chief Joe Szabo addresses BLET national convention
Following the keynote address by Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on October 4, delegates attending the BLET’s Second National Convention heard from FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo.
Hoffa opens BLET Second National Convention
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa opened the Second National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today in Reno, Nevada, addressing more than 500 delegates representing rail engineers and trainmen on national freight rail lines, Amtrak and commuter rail systems across the country.
BLET Job Bank: NTSB railroad accident investigator
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is looking to hire four full-time railroad accident investigators to fill vacancies at their Washington, D.C. headquarters.
