Rail Industry News
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...
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...
BLET News
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.
Five hurt in Minnesota head-on collision; BLET Safety Task Force deployed
Five train crew members were injured yesterday following a head-on collision between two Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range (DMIR) freight trains in Two Harbors, Minn. BLET Safety Task Force member Daniel Lauzon is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) with its investigation.
