Rail Industry News
CN, CPKC say U.S- bound container traffic has not returned since July strike at British Columbia ports
The July strike prompted U.S. importers to divert their freight to ports on the U.S. West Coast, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
East Palestine derailment costs grow as NS reports Q3 2023 results
Norfolk Southern said its third-quarter 2023 profit of $478 million was half of last year’s $958 million. Without costs related to its derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, NS said it would have made $601 million.
CPKC says Q3 2023 income falls 12%
CPKC reported net profit of CA$780 million (US$565 million) in the third quarter of 2023, down 12% year-over-year (y/y) from CA$891 million.
CN posts lower revenue, profit in Q3 2023
CN yesterday reported third-quarter 2023 revenue of CA$4 billion, down 12%, and net income of CA$1.1 billion, down 24%, compared with the same period a year ago.
AAR: North American rail volume down through first 42 weeks of 2023
Through the first 42 weeks of 2023 (ending Oct. 21), total North American carload and intermodal traffic decreased 3.5% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Oct. 25.
CN: Taking market share from trucks will require cross-country rail collaboration
The Class I railroads are striving to collaborate more proactively and create a product that can be competitive against the truck markets, CN executives said during the Canadian railway’s earnings call Tuesday to discuss third-quarter 2023 financial results.
NS takes issue with proposed CPKC-CSX shortcut that would use Meridian Speedway
Norfolk Southern has asked federal regulators to suspend review of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Transportation proposal to create a new through route linking the Southeast and Mexico via Myrtlewood, Ala.
TSA revises rail cybersecurity directives
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) yesterday announced updates to three security directives regulating passenger and freight railroads to protect critical rail operations and facilities.
Two more SEPTA unions will vote on a strike as labor talks intensify
Unions representing both Regional Rail locomotive engineers and conductors said Monday they are holding strike votes after months of mediated talks with SEPTA have failed to produce progress toward agreements.
Strike threat looms as 3 SEPTA unions seek new contracts
“The compensation offered on this property is not competitive,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said, in a statement. “The low wages have driven engineers away at a rapid pace, leading to severe manpower shortages.”
Railroad Retirement benefits will increase in 2024
Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2024 due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2022 to the corresponding period of the current year.
Earnings limits increase for railroad retirees in 2024
Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2024 without having their benefits reduced due to increased limits indexed to average national wage increases.
EPA orders NS to perform additional cleanup in East Palestine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday ordered Norfolk Southern Corp to carry out additional cleanup in East Palestine, Ohio, following the Feb. 3 derailment of a company-operated freight train.
Workers noticed beam hanging off railcar days before fatal accident but didn’t tell the railroad
Several days before a Norfolk Southern conductor trainee was killed by a metal beam protruding from a parked railcar on the next track, workers at a U.S. Pipe facility noticed the beam was hanging off the top of the car but never told the railroad about it, federal investigators say.
Union Pacific’s Q3 2023 profit drops 19% on lower volumes
Union Pacific reported a 19% fall in quarterly profit on October 19, as higher labor costs and lower volumes outweighed the benefits from price hikes implemented by the railroad operator. T
CSX reports lower earnings but says improved service will lead to growth
CSX Transportation earnings declined alongside a third-quarter volume slump. Quarterly operating income dropped 18%, to $1.3 billion, as revenue fell 8%, to $3.6 billion. Earnings per share declined 19%, to 42 cents. CSX’s operating ratio was 63.8%, up from 59.5% a year ago.
Early NTSB findings show broken rail caused fatal Colorado derailment that collapsed bridge
A broken rail caused a train derailment that collapsed a bridge over an interstate highway in Colorado, killing a truck driver and blocking the road for days, federal authorities said Tuesday based on their preliminary findings.
All aboard the high-speed rail revolution: Mineta Transportation Institute’s perspective on economic and environmental gains
An increasing number of studies suggest that high-speed rail (HSR) could have many economic and environmental benefits for the U.S.
RRB Q&A: Dual benefit payments
The RRB has prepared a list of questions and answers to describe how it adjusts the railroad retirement annuities of individuals who are also eligible for social security benefits and/or other benefit payments.
FRA publishes final rule requiring the installation of cameras on passenger trains
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced a final rule requiring the installation of inward- and outward-facing image recording devices on all passenger train lead locomotives providing scheduled intercity rail passenger or commuter service.
BLET News
An “outpouring of love” for SEPTA’s first female locomotive engineer who retires after 40 years
On January 10, BLET Division 71 member Jacqueline Y. Pettyjohn operated her last SEPTA train from Philadelphia International Airport to Suburban Station, in center city Philadelphia. Pettyjohn not only completed the run, she also capped her 40-year career, where she...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services for MBTA locomotive engineers
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with Keolis Commuter Services for locomotive engineers working at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 194 members. Ballots...
FRA and OSHA criticize Class I railroads discipline policies that intimidate workers and discourage them from reporting injuries
Class I railroads are failing workers and making railroads less safe due to overly harsh employee discipline policies. That’s according to the December 20 letters from the heads of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Occupational Safety and Health...
Biden signs REEF Act, ending unjust reduction of Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits
Different from other unemployment and sickness benefits, railroad worker benefits are fully funded through payroll deduction and not government taxes. The federal government administers the program, but the government doesn’t fund railroad benefits. Therefore, it is...
In the Line of Duty: BLET Division 212 Member Clay Burt
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 19, to honor the two Union Pacific workers who were killed in last month’s train derailment in Pecos, Texas. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the West of the Pecos Museum at 4:00 p.m. (120 E....
Twenty years later: The legacy of the Graniteville rail tragedy and remembering the loss of BLET member Chris Seeling
January 6 marked 20 years since the fatal derailment of a Norfolk Southern train and the related chemical spill in Graniteville, South Carolina that led to nine deaths including a BLET member, Chris Seeling. In addition to those who lost their lives, more than 500...
Wrapping up the 2024 Christmas season
From left: BLET Division 601 member Rich Carl and Division 601 Local Chairman Phil Burgos in the cab of the Conrail Santa Train. ____________________ The BLET National Division wishes every member and their family a happy and healthy 2025. This issue of the Weekly...
James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund: BLET families win big in 2024; Application process now open for 2025
Twenty-five BLET families have been awarded scholarships by the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund for the 2024 school year, including seven $10,000 scholarship winners. The $10,000 awards are the highest honor bestowed by the Hoffa Scholarship Fund. In 2024,...
BLET Education & Training Department: Training classes planned for newly-elected Division officers
To assist new Division officers who will be installed following the conclusion of the 2024 Triennial Election cycle, the BLET Education & Training Department will conduct several basic introductory classes via Zoom in January 2025. Separate classes will be offered...
Update: BLET member Tony Ramos continues to battle brain cancer
BLET members are asked to keep Brother Tony Ramos and his family in their prayers. Brother Ramos, a BNSF locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 13 (La Crosse, Wis.), suffered an on-duty medical episode in October. Brother Ramos was rushed to a local hospital...
