Rail Industry News
CN to report Q4 2019 results on January 28
(Source: Canadian National press release, January 6, 2020) MONTREAL — CN will issue its fourth-quarter and year-end 2019 financial and operating results on Jan. 28, 2020, at 4.01 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). CN's senior officers will review the results and the railway's...
NY governor wants to add tracks, access at Penn Station
(Source: Associated Press, January 6, 2020) NEW YORK — The country's busiest train station would get new tracks, expanded terminals and better access for commuters under a plan announced Monday by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Full story: The Daily Star
Canadian Pacific sets record quarter for Canadian grain movements
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, January 6, 2020) CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific moved more Canadian grain and grain products in 2019's final quarter than any prior quarter in the company's history. Shipping totals came in at 7.9 million metric...
Genesee & Wyoming completes $8.4 billion sale with “excellent outcome”
(Source: Railway Age, January 3, 2020) NEW YORK — Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) recently announced the completion of its $8.4 billion sale to affiliates of Brookfield Infrastructure and GIC. Full story: Railway Age
BNSF to use divers to remove fuel from locomotive that derailed in Kootenai River after rock slide
(Source: The Spokesman-Review, January 6, 2020) SPOKANE, Wash. — While the train track damaged by a rock slide on New Year’s Day re-opened Saturday, two engines are still in the Kootenai River about 10 miles east of Bonners Ferry. The rock slide derailed three...
Class I railroads embrace PSR to mixed results in 2019
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, December 29, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2019, almost every Class I railroad transitioned to its own version of precision-scheduled railroading (PSR) — an operating strategy coined by the late CSX CEO Hunter Harrison. The hallmarks of PSR...
NTSB to add new members Graham, Chapman
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 3, 2020) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will add two members this weekend, bringing the board to its full complement of five members for the first time since February 2019. Michael Graham and Thomas Chapman...
More shipper accusations of railroad price fixing
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, January 6, 2020) NEW YORK — Back in December, RT&S reported that Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., along with other shippers, accused the major U.S. railroads of price fixing, with a focus on fuel surcharges. Today, the Houston...
Teamsters statement on death of UPS Teamster drivers on PA turnpike
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, January 6, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Teamsters Union mourns the loss of two Teamsters Local 776 members and UPS drivers, Dennis Kehler and Daniel Kepner, who were killed Sunday in an accident on the...
AAR: Rail traffic down in December and for week ending December 28, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, January 3, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 28, 2019, as well as volumes for December 2019. U.S. railroads...
Norfolk Southern lays off nearly 70 Roanoke employees
(Source: Television station WSET, January 6, 2020) ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk Southern announced furloughs for less than 70 employees in Roanoke Monday morning, Jan. 6. In September of last year, they furloughed 130 employees then last April they let go of 45 more...
Will Virgin Trains expand to Jacksonville?
(Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal, January 3, 2020) DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As Michael Cegelis speaks at a recent Central Florida Transportation Planning Group meeting, the crowd inside the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority boardroom quietly listens. Full story:...
Why Microsoft is getting behind a revolutionary plan for high-speed rail in the Pacific Northwest
(Source: Fast Company, December 19, 2019) SEATTLE — Imagine it’s derby day between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, with the treasured Cascadia Cup on the line between these two MLS franchises and their passionate fanbases. In years past, the Timbers Army...
Norfolk Southern to announce Q3 2019 results on January 29
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, January 3, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation will announce its fourth-quarter financial results during a conference call and live internet webcast at 8:45 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. Quarterly earnings...
Mobile to delay decision on commitment to Amtrak
(Source: www.al.com, December 30, 2019) MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile City Council will likely postpone Tuesday a crucial vote that could determine the future of passenger rail service returning to the city. The delay comes after council members learned late last week...
Mist that sickened Norfolk Southern workers unidentified
(Source: Suffolk News-Herald, December 30, 2019) SUFFOLK, Va. — The source of a mysterious mist that sickened two train workers as their train passed through downtown Suffolk on Saturday evening is still undetermined, according to city officials. Full story: Suffolk...
BNSF crew trapped in derailed train escape, make it to shore
(Source: ABC Fox Montana, January 2, 2020) BONNERS FERRY, Idaho — Bonners Ferry Firefighters and other emergency first responders are still working to contain a BNSF train that derailed into the Kootenai River Later Wednesday night. According to the Boundary County...
Shippers say they overpaid for rail transport, alleging price fixing
(Source: Houston Chronicle, January 6, 2020) HOUSTON — The petrochemical and refining unit of the French energy major Total is the latest big freight shipper to accuse the nation’s four biggest U.S. railroads of price fixing by adding fuel surcharges to cargo prices....
Pa. State Rep reflects on 2019 Norfolk Southern layoffs, wants company to “step up”
(Source: Television station WJAC, January 2, 2020) ALTOONA, Pa. — A state representative wants a railroad corporation to step up, following three rounds of layoffs from Norfolk Southern’s Juniata Locomotive Shops in 2019. Full story: www.wjactv.com
“Union Pacific is railroading the community,” union leader says after job cuts at Armourdale Yard
(Source: Fox 4 Kansas City, January 3, 2020) KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Union Pacific is cutting jobs at the Armourdale Yard in KCK, less than three months after employees were laid off at its Neff Yard on the other side of the state line. Full story: www.fox4kc.com
BLET News
Pretzel Logic
This is the first in a three-part series of articles in which the BLET takes a look at recent actions of the Federal Railroad Administration, the Association of American Railroads, and the United Transportation Union to further expand the use of remote control locomotives to main track territory.
In Part I of the series, we take a look at the FRA’s continuing failure to affirmatively regulate remote control, and how FRA’s latest action impacts the safety of the nation’s railroads.
Pretzel Logic, Part II
In Part II of the series, we examine the reactions of the AAR and UTU to FRA’s September 9, 2005 letter.
Pretzel Logic, Part III
In this part, we pose numerous questions to FRA, AAR, and UTU, that their position on remote control have raised.
Shedding light on dark territory
For the second time in less than nine months, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has lost a member to an accident that occurred in dark territory.
Funeral arrangements for Brother G.Y. Bailey
Funeral arrangements for Brother G.Y. Bailey have been confirmed.
In the Line of Duty: G.Y. Bailey
Brother G.Y. Bailey, Local Chairman of BLET Division 62 in Houston, was killed last night when his train collided head-on with a southbound chemical train in dark territory about 60 miles northeast of Houston.
FRA launches Confidential Close Call Reporting System
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has launched its Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) website, which it hopes will improve safety in the railroad industry.
BLET to conduct advanced Local Chairman Workshop November 6-12 at the NLC
The Education & Training Department of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is seeking participants for an advanced Local Chairman Workshop scheduled for November 6-12, 2005.
RRB update: Rail workers affected by Hurricane Katrina
Many railroad workers have been laid off because of Hurricane Katrina and need to file applications for unemployment benefits with the Railroad Retirement Board.
Judge orders unions to cross AMFA picket lines
The Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio — Eastern Division, has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and UTU, ordering both unions to “notify their general chairpersons, local chairpersons, and employees under their jurisdiction that this Court has ordered that AMFA’s picket lines be crossed” at CSX and Norfolk Southern.
