Rail Industry News
Lincoln senator proposes a Lincoln to Omaha rail system
(Source: Radio station KOLN/KGIN, January 14, 2020) LINCOLN, Neb. — A Lincoln senator is proposing Nebraska build a Lincoln to Omaha train system to boost each city's economy. Full story: www.1011now.com
Virginia’s senators urge support for Amtrak application
(Source: Transportation Today, January 14, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) recently sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao asking the department to support Virginia’s joint application...
Amtrak pitches new Memphis-to-Chicago, other Tennessee lines to state legislators
(Source: Nashville Tennessean, January 15, 2020) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Railway enthusiasts in Memphis could see an additional daylight route to Chicago, if Amtrak's visions for additional passenger service in Tennessee come to fruition. Full story: Memphis...
Oregon’s U.S. Senators join the call to reject LNG-by-rail rules
(Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting, January 14, 2020) PORTLAND, Ore. — Both of Oregon’s U.S. senators expressed concern on Tuesday over the Trump administration’s proposed rule to transport liquefied natural gas by rail lines. Full story: www.opb.org
Ontario Northland, TCRC Maintenance of Way Employees reach tentative agreement
(Source: Ontario Northland press release, January 15, 2020) NORTH BAY, Ontario — Ontario Northland and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC MWED) are pleased to announce a tentative labor agreement has been reached. Teamsters...
Freight rail stakeholders ponder the industry’s future
(Source: Freight Waves, January 15, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. freight railroads will benefit from incorporating advanced technology to improve safety and optimize operations, but how can other stakeholders, such as shippers and labor, take advantage of the rail...
Weekly U.S. coal carloads up 1.5% on week, but down 18.6% from 2018
(Source: S&P Global Platts, January 15, 2020) HOUSTON — US coal carloads were at 70,831 in the week ended January 11, up 1.5% from 69,757 a week earlier, but 18.6% lower than 87,228 in the year-ago week, the Association of American Railroads said Wednesday. Full...
Gauging rail’s key themes in 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, January 15, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The period when the Class I railroads and rail equipment manufacturers unveil their fourth-quarter financial results is upon us. Rail volumes are still down from a year ago, but recent actions regarding...
Winter storm causes millions of dollars in damage to Port of Milwaukee
(Source: Television station WISN, January 13, 2020) MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — The winter storm on Saturday caused an estimated millions of dollars in damage to the Port of Milwaukee, according to port officials. Officials said parts of the port and Jones Island were under 6...
State senate confirms four new Board members at NJ Transit
(Source: www.nj.com, January 13, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — After enduring criticism for only having four voting members to approve important issues and spending, NJ Transit’s board of directors is finally getting reinforcements. The state senate voted 40-0 to confirm four...
Sen. Schumer urges Canada to move train inspections to Niagara Falls, N.Y.
(Source: Buffalo News, January 13, 2020) NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Falls Amtrak station opened in 2016 with space for Canadian customs officials to preclear passengers entering Canada. The Canadians, however, still do not use that space, preferring to keep...
CN boss backs Quebec City container terminal amid public opposition
(Source: Montreal Gazette, January 13, 2020) MONTREAL — Canada’s biggest railroad sees a future $775-million container terminal in Quebec City as a key cog in a plan to steal market share from the Port of New York and New Jersey — even as local opposition to the...
Car crushed at North Carolina rail crossing brought back as a warning to other drivers
(Source: News & Observer, January 13, 2020) MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Two days after Thanksgiving, a four-door Honda Accord got stuck on the railroad tracks at the intersection of Aviation Parkway and Chapel Hill Road. The driver and two passengers managed to get out before...
German government signs $96 billion rail infrastructure plan
(Source: Associated Press, January 14, 2020) BERLIN — The German government signed a deal Tuesday with state-owned train operator Deutsche Bahn to inject almost $100 billion into the country’s rail infrastructure over the next decade. Full story:...
Striking Arasco miners ask lawmakers, “Which side are you on?”
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, January 13, 2020) PHOENIX, Ariz. — Busloads of striking mine workers rallied at the opening day of the Arizona Legislature today to call on Gov. Doug Ducey, state legislators, and the Arizona congressional...
For the second time in six months, Kentucky coal miners block train to protest unpaid wages
(Source: Lexington Herald-Leader, January 14, 2020) KIMPER, Ky. — For the second time in less than a year, coal miners in Eastern Kentucky have occupied a set of railroad tracks in protest over unpaid wages. The miners, about a dozen employees of Quest Energy, a...
Man pleads guilty to sabotaging railroad signals in Braddock, McKeesport, Pa.
(Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 13, 2020) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — An Elizabeth man pleaded guilty to sabotaging railroad signals at multiple locations in Allegheny County, federal prosecutors said Monday. William Curry Brown, 26, admitted to removing and...
Trump administration nears decision on LNG shipping by train
(Source: Financial Times, January 13, 2020) NEW YORK — The U.S.’s supply of natural gas may soon be transported by train, enabling energy shippers to sidestep congested pipelines in parts of the country. Full story: Financial Times
U.S. coal-fired power plants closing at a near-record pace
(Source: Reuters, January 13, 2020) NEW YORK — U.S. coal-fired power plants shut down at the second-fastest pace on record in 2019, despite President Donald Trump’s efforts to prop up the industry, according to data from the federal government and Thomson Reuters. The...
Meet the group trying to electrify America’s railroads
(Source: Bellevue Reporter, January 12, 2020) KIRKLAND, Wash. — Mary Paterson’s involvement in solutionary rail, a vision to electrify rail corridors spanning the U.S., began with a book review. Full story: Bellevue Reporter
BLET News
Rail security bill introduced by Representative Lynch
Representative Stephen Lynch (D-MA) has introduced a bill, H.R. 4372, that would mandate security training for railroad workers. Also known as the Rail Worker Emergency Training Act of 2005, the bill would address many of the concerns expressed by BLET members in the Safe Rails, Secure America surveys conducted by the Teamsters Rail Conference.
Credit cards now accepted at BLET online store
Online shopping for BLET merchandise just got a whole lot easier.
Graniteville report highlights vulnerability of nation’s railways
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday recommended that rail companies make important operational changes, including reducing speeds in populated areas, to avoid another catastrophic accident like the crash in Graniteville, S.C., in January that killed nine people.
BLET’s Kinsman begins 2006 campaign
Getting an early start and building momentum for the 2006 elections, Brother James Kinsman — Chairman of the BLET’s Wisconsin State Legislative Board — has announced that he is running for political office in his home state.
Passenger rail safety to get national TV spotlight
ABC’s PrimeTime is scheduled to air a major story on commuter railroad safety on Thursday, December 1.
FRA amends Emergency Order No. 24
Generally, the revisions incorporate the information provided in Questions and Answers published by FRA on November 4th. However, FRA also addressed the three specific items contained in the Petition for Amendment that the BLET filed on November 7th, and tightened the original requirement with respect to switch point indicators.
Early retirement plan increases lifetime maximum
The lifetime maximum benefit for each individual covered under The Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (UnitedHealthcare’s Policy GA-46000) is adjusted each year based on the medical cost component of the Consumer Price Index. As of January 1, 2006, this maximum will increase from $92,400 to $96,400.
Important information about a Medco prescription benefit option for 2006 for GA-23111 participants
After months of working together, Medco and the railroad unions that sponsor the coverage available to you under Group Policy GA-23111 are pleased to announce a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan that has been created specifically for GA-23111 participants.
Remote control locomotive collides with UP freight train
A remotely controlled locomotive (RCL) pulling dozens of freight cars collided with a Union Pacific freight train at UP’s Fife Yard near Tacoma, Wash., on November 13 at approximately 9:45 a.m. Pacific time.
Rail workers take Amtrak message to commuters
Today, commuters traveling through Penn Station in Newark were greeted by rail workers warning of a possible Amtrak shutdown in their future. Locomotive engineers and maintenance of way workers who are represented by the Teamsters Rail Conference, passed out leaflets to hundreds of commuters using Amtrak.
