Rail Industry News
KCS revenue misses estimates as COVID-19 hits shipments
(Source: Reuters, October 16, 2020) NEW YORK — U.S. railroad operator Kansas City Southern’s quarterly revenue missed Wall Street estimates on Friday, as shipment volumes fell due to a pandemic-induced fall in service demand. Full story: Reuters
Norfolk Southern ready to address closed bridge only after city threatens lawsuit
(Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph, October 14, 2020) BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Norfolk Southern wants to begin discussions with Bluefield related to how to remedy the Grant Street Bridge closure after the city last month threatened legal action. Full story: Bluefield Daily...
CP to acquire full ownership of Detroit River Rail Tunnel
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, October 16, 2020) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific and OMERS, the defined benefit pension plan for municipal employees in the province of Ontario, announced today they have entered into a purchase agreement whereby CP will...
Intermodal growth again fuels U.S. weekly rail traffic
(Source: Freight Waves, October 15, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. rail volumes on a weekly basis rose nearly 2% as intermodal traffic pushed volumes higher. The U.S. railroads originated 520,452 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending last Saturday,...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending October 10, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 14, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 10, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 520,452...
KCS Q3 2020 net profit grows 5% despite lower revenue
(Source: Freight Waves, October 16, 2020) CHATTANOOG, Tenn. — Kansas City Southern’s third-quarter net profit rose 5.3% as a 16.7% decrease in operating expenses helped to offset a 12% decline in revenue. Net income in the third quarter of 2020 was $189.7 million, or...
$1 billion Mexico-Canada rail link proposed
(Source: Freight Waves, October 15, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Mexico-based Caxxor Group is seeking investors for a proposed North American trade corridor aimed at connecting the Mexican Pacific Coast with the United States and Canada through a new rail corridor....
Honda accuses major railroads of freight price-fixing
(Source: Bloomberg Law, October 15, 2020) NEW YORK — The four largest U.S. Class I railroads engaged in price fixing for freight transportation services, American Honda Motor Co. alleges in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday. Full story: Bloomberg Law
Charleston’s Amtrak attendant back on duty
(Source: Television station WSAZ, October 14, 2020) CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A personal touch has returned to the Amtrak Station in Charleston. Wednesday evening, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., was on hand to welcome back the station’s lone ticket agent Matt Crouch. Full...
NJ Transit trains on 3 lines facing major delays
(Source: www.nj.com, October 14, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Passengers on three New Jersey Transit lines are facing heavy delays on Wednesday morning due to Amtrak signal problems. Full story: www.nj.com
SEPTA receives federal grant to improve rail worker safety
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 14, 2020) The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) $742,000 through the federal Safety Research and Demonstration Program to install an automated technology to...
Environmental groups appeal permits for LNG export facility in New Jersey
(Source: Freight Waves, October 15, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Environmental groups are appealing multiple permit approvals for a project that would include the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via rail for export out of a New Jersey terminal. The...
Weekly U.S. coal carload originations up 6% on week
(Source: S&P Global Platts, October 14, 2020) HOUSTON — Weekly US coal carload originations totaled 62,229 in the week ended Oct. 10, up 6% from the previous week, Association of American Railroads data showed Oct. 14. Full story: S&P Global Platts
MBTA defends work at Chinese-owned rail plant in Massachusetts
(Source: Boston Herald, October 15, 2020) BOSTON — The MBTA is assuring state Rep. Shawn Dooley the Chinese government-owned rail company building Orange and Red line cars in Massachusetts is not using child labor to mine mica, a response the rep said falls short....
Metra sues UP for breach of contract
(Source: Metra press release, October 14, 2020) CHICAGO — Metra today sued Union Pacific Railroad for breach of contract, accusing the freight railroad of severely damaging Metra’s bottom line, reputation and customer experience by an “arbitrary and capricious”...
Freight rail shippers press STB to consider additional data requirements
(Source: Freight Waves, October 14, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A coalition of freight rail shippers is still urging the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to press for additional rail service data from the Class I railroads, according to a filing last week. Full...
Railroad joins effort to fight wildfires
(Source: DC Velocity, October 13, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — As wildfires raged throughout California and Oregon this summer, state officials had limited tools available to protect logistics infrastructure in remote canyons and hillsides. Full story:...
BNSF to repair, not replace, 106-year-old Salmon Bay bridge
(Source: My Ballard, October 13, 2020) SEATTLE — Plans to replace the iconic Salmon Bay railroad bridge have changed: BNSF has decided that rather than build a new bridge, they’ll work to repair and maintain the century-old railroad bridge just west of the Ballard...
Amtrak urges booking Thanksgiving tickets early as it enforces social distancing, slashes service
(Source: Television station KGET, October 13, 2020) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — People looking to travel by train this Thanksgiving may want to begin booking seats now. Full story: www.kget.com
Critics of Texas high-speed rail project say governor was misinformed
(Source: Television station KBTX, October 8, 2020) AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott is giving the Texas Central high-speed rail project another look after obtaining new information provided by opponents of the project. This after Abbott recently wrote a letter to...
BLET News
Upcoming important changes regarding dependents and life-time limits in the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (GA-23000)
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Since that date several federal agencies have published Interim Final Regulations (IFRs) interpreting the provisions of the Act (the “Act”).
Teamsters Rail Conference supports Barrows nomination
The Teamsters Rail Conference Policy Committee, in a unanimous decision, will support submitting the name of Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen International Secretary-Treasurer Walt Barrows for nomination to the post of Labor Member, United States Railroad Retirement Board.
Final effort to collect dependent Social Security Numbers to comply with federal law
A new federal law passed under the Bush administration and just now coming into effect requires the reporting of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for covered dependents to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This includes participants of all medical plans, including: The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan; and The National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union Health and Welfare Plan. In addition, if a covered dependent is eligible for Medicare, then the Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) is also required.
BLET to conduct Local Chairman Workshop Oct. 31-Nov. 4
The BLET Education & Training Department is seeking participants for a Local Chairman Workshop scheduled for October 31-November 4, 2010, at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md.
Bryan Aldridge reelected by acclamation in Kentucky
Bryan Aldridge was reelected by acclamation to continue serving as Chairman of the Kentucky State Legislative Board at quadrennial meetings in Frankfort, Ky., from September 1-2, 2010.
Welcome back, old friend
It is with great pride that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announces the return of its esteemed quarterly magazine, Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Journal.
BLET members ratify DM&E contract
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) Railroad on August 23.
Labor Day 2010
A Labor Day message from BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce
Members vote to retain rank and file vote for National Division Officers
By a margin of 72% to 28%, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) voted today to retain rank and file elections for National Division Officers when they rejected an initiative that would have provided for delegate election of National Division officers.
SWCM registration deadlines approaching soon
Two important deadlines are coming up for BLET members planning to attend the Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM) next month in San Antonio, Texas.
