Rail Industry News
U.S. Hampton Roads coal exports fall to near four-year low in June
(Source: S&P Global Platts, July 16, 2020) HOUSTON — Coal exports out of the terminals in the Hampton Roads region in Virginia were at a three-year low at 1.55 million st in June, down 26.3% from 2.1 million st in May and 44.1% lower than 2.77 million st in the...
U.S. rail volumes still under pressure
(Source: Freight Waves, July 16, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. weekly rail traffic is still facing double-digit percentage declines, with carloads once again down by over 20% since the same period in 2019. Full story: Freight Waves
Teamsters continue strikes on East and West Coasts
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, July 16, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Striking Teamsters on the East and West coasts may be separated by nearly 3,000 miles, but both groups have strength and solidarity as they continue fighting for justice....
Railroads’ rate discussions can be evidence in price-fixing lawsuits
(Source: Freight Waves, July 16, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Class I railroads’ discussions about setting local and interline rates can be included as evidence in dozens of shippers’ lawsuits over price fixing in the 2000s, various federal agencies have concluded. The...
AAR reports rail traffic decline for week ending July 11, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 15, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 11, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 449,092...
Amtrak releases FY2019 sustainability report
(Source: Amtrak press release, July 15, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak released its FY2019 Sustainability Report that showcases company performance against year-over-year sustainability goals and highlights sustainability projects across Amtrak's regions and...
Federal bailout could stop planned Amtrak cuts in San Antonio
(Source: San Antonio Express-News, July 15, 2020) SAN ANTONIO — A U.S. House committee has approved $10 billion for Amtrak, a move that would avert slashing service on the Texas Eagle, which starts in San Antonio and ends in Chicago, and preserve other long-distance...
Metrolink installs sanitizing dispensers on all rail cars
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 14, 2020) Metrolink last week completed installation of two hand sanitizing stations on each of the Southern California’s 215 passenger-rail cars. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Amtrak needs to better define police department’s role, OIG says
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 15, 2020) Amtrak has not reached a consensus on the role and priorities of its police department, Amtrak's Office of Inspector General (OIG) found in a new report released earlier this month. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Commentary: Will railroads grow organically or just recover?
(Source: Freight Waves opinion column by Jim Blaze, July 15, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — That search for modal share growth is still fundamentally the real strategic challenge for the seven Class 1 North American railroads. Full story: Freight Waves
Bigger trucks would divert intermodal and railcar traffic
(Source: Freight Waves, July 15, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A study commissioned by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) asserts that allowing heavier and longer trucks on U.S. roads could divert intermodal and railcar traffic from rail to truck by as much as...
NJ Transit, SEPTA join agencies asking for $36 billion more in coronavirus aid
(Source: www.nj.com, July 14, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Transit service cuts could loom if a request for $36 billion more in federal aid to help agencies across the nation deal with reduced ridership and revenue due to the coronavirus, is denied, transit agency leaders...
Rail traffic’s recovery process takes a step back
(Source: Railway Age, July 15, 2020) NEW YORK — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ended July 11, 2020, and, for this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 449,092 carloads and intermodal units, down 14.9% compared...
NJ Transit buying $70 million worth of new locomotives
(Source: www.nj.com, July 16, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is making a major change in its plan to upgrade and replace its aging locomotives by spending $70 million to purchase eight additional dual-powered electric and diesel locomotives. Full story: www.nj.com
Amtrak starts construction to increase rail capacity at Washington Union Station
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, July 14, 2020) NEW YORK — A major construction project that will increase rail capacity is underway at Washington Union Station, the second busiest terminal in the U.S. The project is among other improvements to upgrade and enhance...
Metro-North stations now selling masks, hand sanitizer from vending machines
(Source: Rockland/Westchester Journal News, July 13, 2020) NEW YORK — Metro-North has begun selling personal protective equipment from vending machines at a dozen stations in the Lower Hudson Valley. Full story: www.lohud.com
No more daily Amtrak service at Tampa Union Station
(Source: Bay News 9, July 14, 2020) TAMPA, Fla. — Amtrak no longer offers daily train service at Tampa Union Station. It's a move Stephen Sayles, president of Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers, says is a mistake, especially if it becomes permanent. Full story:...
Downeaster passenger rail service increasing runs
(Source: Bangor Daily News, July 14, 2020) BANGOR, Maine — Amtrak’s Downeaster passenger train service will increase to four the number of round trips it runs between Brunswick and Boston daily starting Monday as the railway begins a staged relaxing of coronavirus...
Nebraska officials want answers on blocked rail crossings
(Source: Freight Waves, July 14, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Nebraska officials are preparing to ask BNSF, Union Pacific and the Nebraska Central Railroad to take more action against blocked highway-rail grade crossings in Grand Island in Hall County. Full story:...
High-speed rail’s potential 2020 turning point
(Source: Streetsblog San Francisco, July 14, 2020) SAN FRANCISCO — Workers are toiling away in the Central Valley on over 100 miles of bridges, viaducts, and creating right of way. Legally mandated environmental design reports are being released, laying out the...
BLET News
2009 EUMA deadlines are next week
With just over a week until the registration deadline, BLET members still have time to register for the upcoming Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA) convention to be held in Philadelphia.
BLET, UTU file joint petition to prohibit one-person crews
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the UTU have filed a petition for an emergency order with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking to prohibit the use of one-person train crews — including conventional and remote control yard switching operations.
Final FMLA remedy a win for Rail Labor
Certain BLET members working for the nation’s four largest railroads will receive one day’s pay for each vacation and/or personal leave day they were forced to use instead of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave.
Rick Gibbons and entire GCofA reelected by acclamation
Rick C. Gibbons was reelected by acclamation as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former STL-SF) General Committee of Adjustment at quadrennial meetings in Kansas City, May 19-22, 2009.
2009 EUMA deadlines swiftly approaching
BLET members have about three weeks to register for the upcoming Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA) convention to be held in Philadelphia.
Finamore reelected CSX-North Lines General Chairman
Rick Finamore was reelected General Chairman of the CSX –Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at quadrennial meetings in Orlando, Fla., on May 20.
Call your Senators and urge them to vote no on Antitrust Act
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is asking all members to call their Senators and ask them to oppose the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009.
Railroad Limo Safety bill becomes law in Texas
On May 23, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed the Railroad Limo Safety Improvement bill into law. Passage of the bill culminates efforts that the Texas State Legislative Board (TSLB) of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) initiated in August of 2006.
Son of BLET member killed in Iraq
On behalf of the entire BLET, National President Ed Rodzwicz sends condolences to Clyde George of BLET Division 126 (Bakersfield, Calif.), whose son was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq last week. He was a major in the U.S. Army.
COBRA subsidy information available
The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, may temporarily reduce the premium you have to pay to purchase COBRA continuation coverage under the medical, dental and/or vision plans for yourself and your qualified dependents, if you meet certain criteria.
