Rail Industry News
UP employs water train to battle western wildfires
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, September 9, 2020) NEW YORK — The western wildfires are wreaking havoc on the West Coast and several inland locations. Western railroads throughout history have built “water trains” to be on standby in this region in case a fire...
Amtrak service cuts will have outsized impact on majority-Black communities in southern states
(Source: USA Today, September 9, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — For nearly 50 years, most of Amtrak's long-distance trains have operated daily. But the coronavirus pandemic is about to change that: Starting on Oct. 1, almost all of Amtrak's long-distance trains will go from...
U.S. weekly intermodal volumes push higher
(Source: Freight Waves, September 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Weekly U.S. intermodal volumes were up by nearly a quarter last week amid increased activity for domestic and international containers and trailers. U.S. freight railroads moved 287,339 intermodal...
Intermodal leads rail volume recovery as retailers restock
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, September 10, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — August was the best month for intermodal volumes on U.S. railroads since October 2018, according to the Association of American Railroads. U.S. railroads originated more than 1.1 million intermodal...
In congressional grilling, Amtrak chief says railroad needs nearly $5 billion in federal aid
(Source: Washington Post, September 9, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Under intense grilling from lawmakers, Amtrak chief executive William J. Flynn said Wednesday that the railroad needs nearly $5 billion in federal assistance to help make up for losses caused by the...
WSJ: Kansas City Southern rejects $20 billion takeover offer
(Source: Nasdaq.com, September 10, 2020) NEW YORK — According to a report published in The Wall Street Journal, Kansas City Southern has rejected a takeover offer from a group of investors. The offer from Global Infrastructure Partners and the infrastructure arm of...
KCS announces 20th anniversary Holiday Express will benefit Salvation Army in 20 communities
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, September 8, 2020) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced today that it would celebrate the 20th anniversary of its KCS Holiday Express program and partnership with The Salvation Army with a fundraiser to...
Amtrak restores Keystone service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia
(Source: Patriot-News, September 8, 2020) HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak said as of today it has restored full Keystone Service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Full story: wwwpennlive.com
BNSF fights fires in Yakima River Canyon
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, September 8, 2020) NEW YORK — Sometimes a major fire needs to be fought with a locomotive. BNSF is supplying a firefighting train to help battle the Evans Canyon Fire. Full story: Railway Track & Structures
U.S. DOT introduces National Freight Strategic Plan
(Source: Progressive Railroading, September 8, 2020) The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) last week released its first-ever National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP), which lays out a vision for long-term investments in infrastructure and other essential parts...
New USMCA trade deal could increase demand for nearshoring in Mexico
(Source: Freight Waves, September 8, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt international trade, Mexico stands to benefit from more companies moving manufacturing to North America, said Patrick Ottensmeyer, president and CEO of...
Amtrak to furlough nearly 2,000 workers, cut 100 managers
(Source: Progressive Railroading, September 8, 2020) Amtrak last week announced plans to furlough 1,950 workers and cut 100 management positions due to contracted operations and pinched finances. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Q2 coal revenue per ton decreases across the board for railroads: STB
(Source: S&P Global Platts, September 8, 2020) HOUSTON — The average revenue per short ton for coal on the four major US railroads was $16.23/st in the second quarter of 2020, down $1.53/st cents from the year-ago quarter, Surface Transportation Board data showed...
Layoffs continue at UP
(Source: Railway Age, September 8, 2020) NEW YORK — Union Pacific announced Sept. 4 that it plans to lay off an unspecified number of non-agreement and agreement employees, according to a report in the Omaha World-Herald. UP attributed “continuous efforts to...
Opinion: How workers can achieve real power
(Source: Opinion column by Lynn Rhinehart published by The Nation, September 7, 2020. Rhinehart was general counsel of the AFL-CIO until July 2018.) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Our economy is out of whack, and workers know it. Their wages are flat, CEO pay continues to...
Rare 19th Century locomotive set for 900-mile journal from Michigan to Pennsylvania
(Source: Mlive, September 4, 2020) MARQUETTE, Mich. — A 19th Century steam locomotive is set for a 900-mile journey from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Pennsylvania. The Yankee is a vertical boiler model manufactured by Alexander Chaplin and Co. of Glasgow, Scotland,...
Colorado is making progress on a Front Range railway
(Source: Denver Post, September 7, 2020) DENVER, Colo. — The idea sounds enticing: Instead of battling Interstate 25 congestion, travelers hopscotching between cities along the Front Range could board a gleaming, speedy train and wave goodbye to the traffic. Full...
Texas Eagle among long-distance Amtrak routes facing service cuts
(Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 4, 2020) ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Additional cuts to Amtrak service in St. Louis will go in effect next month as part of nationwide reductions in passenger rail services during the pandemic. The frequency of the Texas Eagle, which...
Amtrak reducing service, furloughing employees in Carbondale
(Source: The Southern Illinoisan, September 3, 2020) CARBONDALE, Ill. — Amtrak is further reducing its direct Carbondale-to-Chicago routes as part of nationwide cuts, and more than a dozen employees with the agency’s Carbondale crew are facing furloughs for upwards of...
Improved air quality could be another benefit of PTC
(Source: ScienceBlog.com, September 7, 2020) With the understanding that PTC deployment and use will make railroad operations overall more efficient, the thinking is that this will lead to air quality improvement where trains operate in that there will be greater...
BLET News
Priester reelected as Western General Chairmen conclude annual meeting
General Chairman Mike Priester (CP Rail-US/Metra North/Indiana Southern Railroad/DM&E Railroad) was reelected to a fourth term as Chairman of BLET’s Western General Chairman’s Association (WGCA) at meetings held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 20-22, 2010. He was elected by acclamation by the Association’s members.
Deadlines approaching soon for 2010 SMA in Cincinnati, Ohio
Three key registration deadlines are quickly approaching for the 83rd annual BLET-BLET Auxiliary Southeastern Meeting Association convention, which will be held June 13-17, 2010, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
United Behavioral Health provides enhanced mental health services
Beginning in April 2010 and continuing through June, 2010, a new Point of Entry program will be available for participants covered under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan or the National Railway Carriers/United Transportation Union Plan sponsored by the National Freight Railroads.
Space remains for BLET legislative training
A few vacant slots still remain in the BLET’s upcoming training workshop for Division Legislative Representatives in Washington, D.C., from May 23-27, 2010.
NASLBC concludes annual meeting in Mobile, Ala.
Political activism and railroad safety were key topics of discussion during the annual meeting of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) in Mobile, Ala., from April 14-17, 2010.
BLET Officers Election forms now available
Official forms and documents for BLET members seeking to run for office in the 2010 National Division Officers Election are now available on the BLET website.
BLET Job Bank: Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern
The Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) is offering temporary and permanent term employment opportunities for qualified locomotive engineers and conductors.
Former officers J.C. Laney, Homer Cain pass away
The BLET National Division is saddened to report the loss of two long-serving officers in recent weeks as Brothers Homer Cain and J.C. Laney passed away.
BLET Education & Training Dept. to conduct General Chairman workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the BLET Arbitration Department, is offering a General Chairman’s workshop in St. Louis, Mo., the week of May 16, 2010.
Matt Kronyak elected Chairman of NJ State Legislative Board as Jim Chappelle retires
Matt Kronyak was elected Chairman of the New Jersey State Legislative Board at meetings in Newark, N.J., from March 26-27. He replaces outgoing Chairman Jim Chappelle, who is retiring after nearly 36 years of dedication and service to the Brotherhood.
