Rail Industry News
NJ Transit has landmark $11 billion budget
(Source: www.nj.com, October 25, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — This is a capital plan like no other. NJ Transit’s five-year plan, totaling $11.21 billion, represents the agency’s first multi-year plan. Full story: www.nj.com
Rail blockade ends in Chihuahua, Mexico
(Source: Freight Waves, October 27, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — After more than 60 days of protests, a railroad blockade in the Mexican state of Chihuahua has ended, according to the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of the United Mexican States (CONCAMIN). While...
Transport Canada failed to follow up on dangerous goods violations: report
(Source: National Observer, October 28, 2020) TORONTO — Transport Canada did not follow up on a number of violations made by companies transporting dangerous items like crude oil, according to the latest audit by Canada’s federal environment commissioner. Full story:...
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,...
BLET News
UnitedHealth Allies offers money-saving program
UnitedHealthcare has made available a new membership booklet for its health discount program, UnitedHealth Allies, which outlines ways BLET members can save money on certain health care purchases.
Education & Training Dept. announces March Local Chairman Workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department will conduct a Local Chairman Workshop on the campus of the University of Illinois-Champaign, starting on Sunday, March 20 and ending the evening of Thursday, March 24.
Deadline for Hoffa Scholarship is March 31
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships annually to outstanding high school seniors. The deadline for this year’s program is March 31, 2011.
BLET points to history in urging changes to proposed conductor certification rule
With federal regulations requiring the certification of conductors scheduled to take effect at the beginning of next year, the BLET has filed comments with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) strongly urging that the agency pay attention to the lessons of more than 20 years of locomotive engineer certification.
BLET Western General Chairman’s Association to meet in April
The annual meeting of the BLET Western General Chairman’s Association (WGCA) will be held April 18-21 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, the Association’s new Chairman Pat Williams announced today.
Space remains for BLET Legislative Representative workshop
Space remains for BLET members interested in attending next month’s Division Legislative Representative workshop at Teamster headquarters in Washington, D.C., February 13-17, 2011.
BLET wins HOS interpretation on interruption of rest
The BLET has successfully secured an important clarification from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) concerning an interpretation of a key provision of an amendment to the Hours of Service (HOS) laws made by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
CSXT members ratify pair of agreements
BLET members from two of the four general committees of adjustment on CSX Transportation ratified two tentative collective bargaining agreements on Mon-day. They represent more than 40% of BLET engineers working for the Class I railroad.
BLET hosts two Secretary-Treasurer workshops in early 2011
The BLET’s Education and Training Department is hosting two Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshops in February and March.
BLET National Division Officers sworn in
On January 1, 2011, a new Advisory Board began its four year term of office for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. National Division President Dennis Pierce installed the new Advisory Board; and as part of that process, all Advisory Board Officers took the following International Brotherhood of Teamsters Oath of Office.
