Rail Industry News
New bill introduced in U.S. House of Representatives would address vapor pressure standards for crude shipped by rail
(Source: Times Herald Online, January 9, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. John Garamendi, D-Solano, introduced legislation Wednesday to ensure safer standards for the transport of crude oil and other hazardous materials by train. House Resolution 5553, also known as the...
Is PRB coal headed for gradual decline or sheer cliff?
(Source: WyoFile, January 7, 2020) GILLETTE, Wyo. — Despite the continuing downturn in U.S. coal and a bruising series of bankruptcies, there’ve been no recent permanent mine closures in the Powder River Basin. It’s a surprising outcome for a region that’s lost nearly...
Crew van transportation company to lay off 91 employees in Longview
(Source: Longview News-Journal, January 9, 2020) LONGVIEW, Texas — An Indiana-based transportation company has notified the Texas Workforce Commission about plans to lay off 91 employees in Longview because its operations are closing. Professional Transportation Inc....
U.S. rail traffic slump continues to start off the New Year
(Source: Freight Waves, January 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. rail volumes kicked off the new year by continuing a months-long slump, with traffic down 5.1% compared with the same period a year ago. U.S. rail volumes totaled 414,014 carloads and intermodal units...
AAR: Rail traffic down for week ending January 4, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, January 8, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 4, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 414,014...
CP Rail acquires Central Maine & Quebec Railway
(Source: Transport Topics, January 6, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Canadian Pacific closed its acquisition of the Central Maine & Quebec Railway, the Alberta-based rail company said in a Dec. 30 news release. Full story: Transport Topics
CN Senior Office Reardon sells 6,295 shares of company stock
(Source: Riverton Roll, January 8, 2020) NEW YORK — Canadian National Railway Senior Officer Donald K. Reardon sold 6,295 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 23. The shares were sold at an average price of C$119.53, for a total...
Virginia Career Works, City of Roanoke partner to help furloughed NS employees
(Source: Television station WDBJ, January 8, 2020) ROANOKE, Va. — More than 200 workers have been furloughed from Norfolk Southern’s Roanoke locations over the past 12 months. Now, Virginia Career Works, the City of Roanoke and Norfolk Southern itself are teaming to...
Wabtec acquires locomotive repair company RELCO
(Source: Wabtec press release, January 8, 2020) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Wabtec Corporation announced today it has acquired RELCO Locomotives, a long-established player in the locomotive overhaul and maintenance industry. The acquisition expands Wabtec’s freight services...
Alstom’s new train awaits permit for cross-country trip to test track
(Source: The Evening Tribune, January 8, 2020) HORNELL, N.Y. — U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer on Wednesday urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to approve Amtrak’s permit application for a one-time movement of its just-constructed Next Generation...
CN and CP move record 15.4 tons of grain in Q4 2019
(Source: Canadian Press, January 6, 2020) CALGARY — Canada's two largest railways moved a record 15.4 million tons of grain in the final three months of 2019. Calgary-based Canadian Pacific set a new quarterly record by moving 7.9 million tons of grain and grain...
Opinion: Is there room for optimism in 2020?
(Source: Opinion column by Jim Blaze in the International Railway Journal, January 2020 issue, January 8, 2020) NEW YORK — A stagnant North America freight market is set to continue in 2020. However, technological advances and potential growth in intermodal and...
Forecast for 2020: More oil trains and the rise of LNG by rail
(Source: Desmog Blog, January 7, 2020) NEW YORK — As 2019 drew to a close and the new year ramps up, a number of signs point to the growing risks of transporting oil and gas by rail, with little government oversight to speak of: from increasing oil train traffic into...
Before Florida’s Brightline became nation’s deadliest railroad, its owners rejected safety fixes
(Source: Florida Bulldog, January 9, 2020) TAMPA, Fla. — The owners of Brightline, the nation’s only privately funded and operated train, have been on notice for years that they weren’t doing enough to prevent fatalities on their tracks. Now, in just its third year of...
BNSF train inspector helps rescue trapped crew in Kootenai River derailment
(Source: Television station KHQ, January 9, 2020) SPOKANE, Wash. — Adam Reeves was the first one to get the call when a BNSF freight train partially derailed into the Kootenai River. Reeves works for BNSF and is a volunteer with the Boundary County Search and Rescue...
Railroads want price-fixing lawsuits in one venue
(Source: Freight Waves, January 8, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Class I railroads that have been named in numerous lawsuits alleging price fixing are seeking to move those lawsuits to one court, according to a recent court filing. The railroads want the lawsuits...
Yellow brick road: Photo of corn covered railroad tracks goes viral
(Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, January 8, 2020) CRYSTAL, Minn. — The corn lay as smooth as a yellow brick road between the railroad tracks in the picture that went viral on social media, but, skeptics asked, was the picture real? Full story: Minneapolis...
Amtrak suspended between Portland and Seattle due to landslide
(Source: The Oregonian, January 7, 2020) PORTLAND, Ore. — Train travelers between Portland and Seattle will have to make other plans, as Amtrak service between the two cities has temporarily been suspended because of a landslide blocking the tracks, officials said...
KCS train speeds clocked by police in Decatur
(Source: Westside Eagle Observer, January 8, 2020) DECATUR — Recent fervor over the number of times passing Kansas City Southern freight trains blow their whistles at night has sparked an interest in the speeds they maintain as they transit through Decatur. In 1970,...
Operation Lifesaver releases new PSA targeting risky behavior on railroad tracks
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, January 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the national nonprofit rail safety education organization, is launching a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign that brings attention to the...
BLET News
BLET, UTU warn of rail safety concerns
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) President Don M. Hahs and United Transportation Union (UTU) President Paul C. Thompson issued the following outline describing joint concerns over railroad attempts to compromise public safety and security by reducing crew size on the nation’s railroads:
Protecting jobs, safety & Railroad Retirement
Setting past differences aside, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the United Transportation Union (UTU) have agreed to work together on a joint campaign to ensure a successful outcome to the current round of collective bargaining.
Space remains for LM-2 S-T Workshop in Wisconsin
If you are a Secretary-Treasurer who has to file an LM-2 report in the next few months, then you should consider attending the BLET’s LM-2 Secretary-Treasurer workshop in Madison, Wisc., from February 19-22.
Former GST Voyk, 81, passes away
Former BLE General Secretary-Treasurer and International Vice-President James L. “Jim” Voyk, 81, died Monday, January 23, 2006 at the Cleveland Clinic following a period of declining health. Brother Voyk lived in Brewster, Ohio.
BLET scores PNR shortline organizing win
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainman kicked off its 2006 organizing campaign with a representation election victory at the Panhandle Northern Railroad (PNR).
Civil rights movement linked to labor movement
Today, the nation comes together to celebrate the legacy and contributions of a man who, through his words and actions, impacted the course of our nation’s history. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, Americans across the country will celebrate by honoring the life and work of Dr. King, and working towards the goals which he did not achieve in his too-brief life.
Meany Center announces 2006 hazmat workshops
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program will conduct hazardous materials transportation/chemical emergency response training programs at the George Meany Campus in Silver Spring, Md., on the following dates: May 7-12, 2006; June 4-9, 2006; and July 16-21, 2006.
ATDA files to represent UP Dispatchers
The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) has launched a representation election to organize approximately 550 train dispatchers at Union Pacific Railroad.
BLET to conduct LM-2 GCofA S-T Workshop
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2. The workshop will be held at the School for Workers, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Pyle Center, Madison, Wisc., February 19–22. The class will start at 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, and conclude at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22.
Resolutions to change bylaws due February 17
The deadline is quickly approaching for BLET Divisions planning to submit resolutions to change the Bylaws of the BLET National Division.
