Rail Industry News
Ga. police officer recognized for helping to rescue CSX employees after derailment
(Source: Gwinnett Daily Post, October 13, 2020) GWINNETT, Ga. — A Lilburn police officer is being recognized for his efforts to help rescue the engineer and conductor from a train that derailed in the city over the weekend. Full story: Gwinnett Daily Post
Ford Mexico CEO asks Mexican government to quell railroad blockades
(Source: Freight Waves, October 13, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Héctor Pérez, CEO of Ford’s Mexico unit, said Monday the Mexican government should do more to stop ongoing railway blockades across the country. Full story: Freight Waves
CSX pays $95,000 in back wages to whistleblower
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) press release, October 13, 2020) ATLANTA, Ga. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered CSX Transportation Inc. –...
CSX employee dies from injuries sustained on the job at Acca Yard
(Source: Television station NBC 12, October 13, 2020) HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating after a man died from injuries sustained at a train transportation yard. The CSX spokesperson did not release the name of the...
Amtrak service cuts are hurting economy and traditions in southern Colorado
(Source: Colorado Public Radio, October 9, 2020) DENVER — Due to a decline in ridership during the ongoing pandemic, Amtrak has cut most of its daily long-distance train services to three days a week. These reductions in service could result in economic losses...
Amtrak seeks billions more from Congress to pay employees and keep trains running
(Source: The Southern Illinoisan, October 12, 2020) CARBONDALE, Ill. — Amtrak, which provides a critical long-distance transportation option for Southern Illinoisans, is seeking billions of dollars in additional funding from Congress in order to keep trains running...
Virginia port receives $20 million for rail expansion
(Source: Suffolk News Herald, October 12, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — The Virginia Port Authority will receive more than $20 million to finish its central rail yard expansion project at Norfolk International Terminals. Full story: Suffolk News Herald
LIRR service restored after person struck by work train
(Source: ABC 7 New York, October 13, 2020) NEW YORK — Service is being restored in both directions between Jamaica and Penn Station following an earlier suspension after a person was struck by a non-passenger train near Woodside. The condition of the victim was not...
Union Pacific employee injured after falling off railroad car
(Source: Laredo Morning Times, October 12, 2020) LAREDO, Texas — A Union Pacific employee suffered a leg injury after falling off a railroad car, according to first responders. Full story: www.lmtonline.com
Canada to require new switching rules after fatal accident
(Source: Transport Canada press release, October 8, 2020) OTTAWA, Ontario — The Government of Canada is committed to making railway operations as safe as possible by establishing rules, regulations and standards for Canada’s railway system. Today, the Minister of...
FBI still searching for suspects in 25-year-old Arizona train derailment case
(Source: KTAR News, October 11, 2020) PHOENIX, Ariz. — In October 1995, an Amtrak passenger train derailed around 1:30 a.m. in a remote desert area 70 miles outside of Phoenix. Full story: www.ktar.com
CSX freight train splits semi on tracks near Indianapolis
(Source: Freight Waves, October 11, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A CSX freight train slammed into a tractor trailer stuck on the tracks about 15 miles northeast of Indianapolis, according to footage of the accident obtained by WISH-TV from a local bystander. Full story:...
CSX train derails in Georgia after heavy rains from remnants of Hurricane Delta
(Source: CNN, October 11, 2020) ATLANTA, Ga. — A CSX train derailed in Lilburn, Georgia, early Sunday morning following heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Delta, according to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. Full story: www.cnn.com
All aboard Texas Eagle’s last daily departure from San Antonio to Chicago
(Source: Midland Reporter Telegram, October 11, 2020) SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The last daily Texas Eagle train from San Antonio to Chicago left the station Sunday morning, its best days trailing far behind it. The train had only four passenger cars. Full story:...
FRA issues revised rule on track safety
(Source: Freight Waves, October 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule that revises its standards for rail integrity and track safety, according to a Wednesday notice in the Federal Register. Full story: Freight...
AAR reports rail traffic for September and the week ending October 3, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 3, 2020, as well as volumes for September 2020. U.S. railroads...
Cargill urging regulators to keep track of Precision Scheduled Railroading performance
(Source: Freight Waves, October 8, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Responding to pressure to be more transparent about their service performance following the major railroad mergers of the 1990s, the freight railroads began providing shippers and regulators weekly data on...
Amtrak warns of 2,400 additional job losses without new bailout
(Source: Reuters, October 8, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. government-supported passenger railroad Amtrak said on Thursday that without a new government bailout it could be forced to cut more spending and train services which could lead to the loss of another 2,400...
FRA, NHTSA launch rail crossing safety campaign
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, October 6, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced the launch today of this year’s Stop. Trains Can’t. public education campaign, which will run through November 8. This...
Kansas issues first round of Short Line Rail Fund grants
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 7, 2020) Kansas state officials yesterday announced the 13 recipients of $5 million in grants awarded through the state's new Short Line Rail Improvement Fund program. Full story: Progressive Railroading
BLET News
Divisions must be ””square on the books”” to seat delegates
With the upcoming Second National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen scheduled for October 4-7, all BLET Divisions are reminded that their Secretary-Treasurers must file their monthly dues reports in a timely fashion in order to seat their delegates at the convention.
BLET Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak is recruiting Locomotive Engineers to fill future positions in the following areas: Jacksonville, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; Florence, S.C.; Miami, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; Lorton, Va. (Auto Train); Washington, D.C.; and Richmond, Va.
BLET, UTU support FMLA improvements
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the United Transportation Union are jointly supporting a House bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to clarify eligibility requirements for railroad workers.
BLET mobilizes to help protect Amtrak
Yesterday the State Legislative Board Chairmen and the National Mobilization Team were asked by Vice President and National Legislative Representative John Tolman to get the word out to the membership to call their congressmen and request that they do not support the amendment sponsored by Congressman Bachmann (R-MN) which would have stripped Amtrak of operating and capital funding.
San Antonio to host 2010 SWCM
BLET members will convene in San Antonio, Texas, from September 12-16, 2010, for the 75th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM).
Registration still available for EUMA in Pittsburgh
BLET members still have time to make last-minute reservations for the Eastern Union Meeting Association’s 72nd annual convention, slated for Pittsburgh, Pa., from August 8-12, 2010.
Replacement ballots Initiative to change the BLET Bylaws
Ballots were mailed to approximately 37,000 BLET members on July 1 for voting on the initiative petition to change the BLET Bylaws to allow for delegate elections of National officers. Members who did not receive a ballot can request a replacement by calling (866) 260-6820.
BLET to conduct advanced Local Chairman Workshop August 15-20
The BLET Education & Training Department is seeking participants for an advanced Local Chairman Workshop scheduled for August 15-20, 2010, at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md.
Mobilization network activated for National Division officer election initiative
The BLET National Division is activating its mobilization network to launch a “get out the vote” campaign regarding the National Division officer election initiative.
VP & NLR John Tolman named to high speed rail panel
BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman has been named to the Advisory Board of the American High Speed Rail Alliance (AHSRA). AHSRA is an organization whose mission is to advocate for the development and implementation of a high speed passenger rail network in the United States.
