Rail Industry News
Weekly U.S. coal train loadings rise to seven-week high: STB
(Source: S&P Global Platts, October 16, 2020) HOUSTON — U.S. coal train loadings rose to a seven-week high in the week ended Oct. 9, as loadings from all four major basins increased on the week, Surface Transportation Board data showed Oct. 16. Full story: S&P Global...
Amtrak seeks help from Congress after best year in history
(Source: The Register-Guard, October 17, 2020) EUGENE, Ore. — The pandemic upended the success Amtrak experienced in 2019, the best year for ridership in the company's history with a record 32.5 million passenger trips and $3.3 billion in total operating revenue in...
Opinion: A customer check list for reading railroads’ third-quarter reports
(Source: Freight Waves opinion column by Jim Blaze, October 16, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The six railroads that practice their marketing-term model that is called precision scheduled railroading (PSR) will be reporting their third-quarter financial results through...
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:...
BLET News
Thanksgiving 2010
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
As we approach Thanksgiving, I ask our membership to join me in a moment of silence for those who are away from their families at this special time of year.
BLET to conduct LM-2 GCA Secretary-Treasurer workshop
In January 2011, the BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2 report for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) or Division. The workshop will be held January 9-12, 2011 in San Diego, Calif.
Harvard Med School, WGBH team with BLET on fatigue project
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is working in conjunction with Harvard Medical School, the WGBH Educational Foundation, and the United Transportation Union to create a website for railroaders that provides them with practical information about sleep, sleep disorders and fatigue management.
Space remains for Secretary-Treasurer workshop, Dec. 12-15
A few spots are still available for the BLET Education and Training Department’s Compliance Workshop for Secretary-Treasurers in Cleveland from December 12-15.
Thank you, veterans!
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
On behalf of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, I extend our most sincere thank you to all members of the military on this Veterans Day. You have our never-ending gratitude for protecting the American way of life, our freedom, and our families.
BLET political agenda stays on track following elections
The BLET’s worker-friendly legislative and political agenda will remain on track in spite of a shift in power following the November 2 mid-term elections.
President Pierce: National bargaining update
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President
Let me say this loud enough for the railroads to hear, BLET WILL NOT ACCEPT A CONCESSIONARY AGREEMENT IN THIS BARGAINING ROUND! The membership of our great union has given enough, it’s past time for us to receive wages and benefits commensurate with the contribution we make to the Carrier’s profits.
Open enrollment begins November 1 for BLET Short Term Disability plan
Open Enrollment for 2011 under the BLET’s Short Term Disability insurance plan begins on November 1, 2010, and runs through December 15, 2010.
Former Amtrak General Chairman Ron Wiggins, 1941-2010
Former BLE Amtrak General Chairman Ronald E. Wiggins passed away on October 25 after a long, brave battle with multiple sclerosis. He was 68.
BLET Pennsylvania State Legislative Board holds quadrennial meeting
Chairman Ken Kertesz was reelected by acclamation to his third term at the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board’s quadrennial meeting in Hershey, Pa., from October 25-27, 2010.
