Rail Industry News
RRB appoints Chief Medical Officer
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, August 31, 2020) CHICAGO — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Dr. Elizabeth Bonson as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Bonson will provide expert medical guidance to the RRB’s Office of Programs,...
Opinion: Alberta on the wrong track after $2.1 billion in losses from crude-by-rail contracts
(Source: Opinion column by Blake Shaffer published by the CBC on September 1, 2020. Mr. Shaffer is an assistant professor of economics and public policy at the University of Calgary.) CALGARY, Alberta — Last week's Alberta fiscal update was filled with some large and...
BMWED statement on new FRA rail inspection technology rule
(Source: Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes press release, September 1, 2020) SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Federal Railroad Administration has broadened the railroads’ ability to use new rail inspection technologies, officially allowing continuous rail testing to...
Court vacates FRA approval of KCSM engineer certification
(Source: Progressive Railroading, September 1, 2020) A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has vacated the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) approval of Kansas City Southern's certification program under which...
Court vacates FRA approval of KCSM engineer certification
(Source: Progressive Railroading, September 1, 2020) A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has vacated the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) approval of Kansas City Southern's certification program under which...
NLRB memos dismiss COVID-19 unfair labor practice charges
(Source: National Law Review, August 31, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Labor Relations Board’s (“NLRB” or Board”) Division of Advice[1] recently released five memos dealing with issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic — concluding in all five that dismissal of...
“Not unlike the Postal Service:” Advocates want Amtrak to prioritize service over profit
(Source: New York Times, September 1, 2020) NEW YORK — For Amtrak, the coronavirus pandemic has not only slashed ridership and any chances of breaking even, it has also forced its leaders to face an existential choice: act like a for-profit airline or a...
UP to begin operating North Platte’s Bailey Yard as single classification yard
(Source: North Platte Telegraph, September 1, 2020) NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The Union Pacific Railroad will consolidate its North Platte railcar-sorting operations in Bailey Yard’s newest and westernmost “hump yard,” the railroad said Tuesday. The announcement marks a...
Report: Amtrak to furlough nearly 2,000 workers
(Source: Trains Magazine, September 1, 2020) Amtrak will furlough approximately 1,950 of its unionized workers as part of cutbacks for fiscal 2021, according to a message sent to workers today and obtained by Trains News Wire. Additionally, approximately 100...
UK train fire: Up to 750 tons of oil spilled from derailed tank cars
(Source: BBC News, August 28, 2020) LONDON — There are fears for wildlife after a train carrying up to 750 tons of diesel derailed, causing an oil spill at a scientifically important site. The freight train derailed and caught fire in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, on...
NJ Transit commuter trapped on empty train for 90 minutes before rescue
(Source: www.nj.com, September 1, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — A 26-year old Woodbridge woman was stuck on an NJ Transit train that went out of service at Newark Penn Station and trapped on board for 90 minutes at a rail siding before she could be found and rescued. Full...
CN orders 50 electric trucks from The Lion Electric Co.
(Source: CN press release, August 31, 2020) MONTREAL — and The Lion Electric Co. announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for CN to acquire 50 zero-emission trucks by CN as part of its fleet of trucks for intermodal use. The trucks will be...
Estimated costs of Hudson Tunnel project increases $275 million in updated financial plan
(Source: Mass Transit Magazine, August 31, 2020) NEW YORK — An updated financial plan for the construction of the Hudson Tunnel Project, a key project in the Gateway Program, was released by the Gateway Program Development Corporation (GDC) Aug. 28. Full story:...
NTSB Vice Chair Landsberg gets new three-year term
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 31, 2020) President Donald Trump has designated National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg to continue to serve in the position for a new three-year term. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Railways see untapped potential in Atlantic Canada ports
(Source: Freight Waves, August 31, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Canadian Pacific and CN are vying to be the top freight railroad in Eastern Canada, with both companies seeing the Atlantic Canada ports as having untapped potential. Full story: Freight Waves
Plenty of finger pointing, little transparency, in Alberta’s $2.1 billion crude-by-rail losses
(Source: CBC News, August 28, 2020) CALGARY, Alberta — The Alberta government is out $2.1 billion after unloading crude-by-rail contracts signed by the previous government, but the process and the reasons for the staggering loss are mired in secrecy. Full story:...
Colorado DOT projection suggests a Front Range train would carry 3 million passengers a year
(Source: Colorado Public Radio, August 31, 2020) DENVER — A passenger rail line stretching nearly 200 miles between Fort Collins and Pueblo would carry 9,200 people every weekday and nearly 3 million in a year, according to new modeling. Full story: www.cpr.org
FRA announces rail inspection technology rule to improve track safety
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, August 28, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today submitted to the Federal Register a final rule allowing railroads to use ultrasonic...
Progress continues on construction of CSX intermodal terminals
(Source: Freight Waves, August 28, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Although the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back construction timelines, Eastern U.S. railroad CSX is forging ahead with the construction of two new intermodal terminals, one in Rocky Mount in eastern North...
Storm cleanup to cause Louisiana rail shippers some delay
(Source: Freight Waves, August 28, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The nation’s Class I railroads expect to have service restored this weekend on tracks serving the ports and industrial facilities on the Gulf Coast between Houston and New Orleans. Hurricane Laura, packing...
BLET News
Registration begins for 2010 IWC in Bismarck-Mandan, N.D.
Registration is now open for the 70th annual International Western Convention, slated for July 13-17, 2010, in beautiful Bismarck-Mandan, N.D. The 2010 IWC is hosted by Chairman Mike Muscha, Co-Chair Ron Huff, and the members of BLET Division 671 and Division 746.
2010 BLET Scholarship Directory
Each year, the BLET National Division compiles a list of scholarship opportunities available to the children of BLET members. Numerous financial aid opportunities are published here in the 2010 BLET Scholarship Directory.
Update from BLET Tax Compliance department
Internal Revenue Service regulations require the BLET National Division to inform its members that a certain portion of your National Division dues are not tax deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction on your personal tax returns.
BLET members participate in Vancouver Olympics
Joe Walsh, a 39-year locomotive engineer with Canadian Pacific Railway, is having the time of his life as a volunteer at the Vancouver Olympic Games.
BLET honors retiring Bob Broka with Honorary Membership
Robert D. Broka, long-time Director of Records for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, is retiring after nearly 40 years of employment at BLET National Division headquarters. And in recognition of his years of dedicated service, the BLET Advisory Board has unanimously voted to honor him with the coveted title of Honorary Member.
Funeral tomorrow for fallen Brother Ron Langlois
The funeral for BLET Division 416 member Ron Langlois, who was murdered on the job in Eugene, Ore., is scheduled for tomorrow in Springfield, Ore.
Space remains for ST Workshop in Jacksonville
Newly-elected Secretary-Treasurers are advised that space still remains for the upcoming BLET Education & Training Department’s ST Compliance Workshop in Jacksonville, Fla. The course is scheduled for February 28-March 3 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel.
Division 416 establishes Langlois memorial fund
BLET Division 416 has established a memorial fund on behalf of Brother Ron Langlois, who was found dead of a gunshot wound outside of his locomotive in Eugene, Ore., on February 6.
Education & Training Dept. announces March workshop for new Local Chairmen
Registration is now open for the BLET Education and Training Department’s workshop for first-time Local Chairmen in March.
BLET member found murdered in Eugene, Ore.
Police in Eugene, Ore., are investigating the murder of a BLET member who was found shot to death outside of his locomotive.
