Rail Industry News
Houston residents say contaminants from nearby rail yard are causing cancer levels to spike
(Source: Atlanta Black Star, December 10, 2019) HOUSTON — Kashmere Gardens, a historically Black neighborhood in northeast Houston, is tucked between an industrial lot and a rail corridor that runs through the city. These days the quiet community is abuzz after...
Amtrak Hiawatha gets funding from Wisconsin lawmakers to buy new rail cars
(Source: Pioneer Press, December 10, 2019) CHICAGO — Amtrak’s Hiawatha line, which runs between Milwaukee and Chicago and makes a total of 14 stops each weekday in Glenview, is getting all new passenger train cars thanks to spending recently approved by the Wisconsin...
Defective BNSF engine leaks 600 gallons of diesel fuel, some into Columbia River
(Source: Television station KEPR, December 9, 2019) TRI-CITIES, Wash. — The Department of Ecology says 600 gallons of fuel spilled between Pasco and Finley on a faulty BNSF train. It started with a leaky fuel filter. Late Sunday night, a Burlington Northern Santa Fe...
Partisan antics during CN strike may alienate Canadians
(Source: Western Producer, December 6, 2019) SASKATOON — Elected officials took different approaches to handling the Canadian National Railway strike, but none of them came out of it looking good. Full story: Western Producer
Consol Energy sues major U.S. railroads alleging illegal fuel charge scheme
(Source: Legal Newsline, December 11, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consol Energy has filed a lawsuit against some of the largest U.S. class I railroads alleging an illegal fuel charge scheme. Consol alleges that the defendant railroads violated antitrust laws by assessing...
North American railroads chart the course for 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, December 4, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Recent weakness in carloads and expectations for the fourth quarter of 2019 and beyond were key topics as several management teams from North America’s largest Class I railroads gathered at the Credit...
Amtrak worker killed while working on electrical line in New York
(Source: ABC News, December 5, 2019) NEW YORK — An Amtrak maintenance man was working on an electrical line in New York City when he was electrocuted and killed Thursday morning, according to the New York Police Department. Full story: ABC News
Family left with questions after workplace death of CP Rail engineer
(Source: Vancouver Sun, December 9, 2019) VANCOUVER, B.C. — The widow of a CP Rail engineer killed on the job on Dec. 2 is still struggling with questions about the death of her husband, a safety-conscious, long-serving company veteran. Full story: Vancouver Sun
Federal agency approves permit to transport liquefied natural gas via rail
(Source: Freight Waves, December 10, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has granted a special permit to Energy Transport Solutions (ETS) to haul liquified natural gas (LNG) by rail, stoking objections by some...
Massive fire erupts as CP Rail train hauling crude oil derails east of Saskatoon
(Source: GlobalNews.ca, December 10, 2019) SASKATOON — A section of Highway 16 east of Saskatoon is closed after a train derailment and fire early Monday morning. Canadian Pacific Railway said the train hauling crude oil derailed west of Guernsey, Sask., at around...
Norfolk Southern makes changes to demurrage and accessorial charges
(Source: Freight Waves, December 3, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern is making changes to its tariffs governing demurrage and accessorial charges, the railroad said on Dec. 1 in an operations update. Full story: Freight Waves
CP Rail sets new record for monthly grain movements
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, December 2, 2019) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific (CP) moved more Canadian grain and grain products in November 2019 than any month in its history. CP delivered 2.74 million metric tons (MMT) during November, beating the...
Thicker Canadian crude to move on rails amid full pipelines
(Source: Reuters, December 3, 2019) WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Some of Canada’s sludge-like heavy oil will move in an even thicker form on railways in an effort to avoid pipeline bottlenecks and reduce risks. Full story: Reuters
Canada’s crude oil production will rise 50% by 2040, national regulator forecasts
(Source: CBC News, December 3, 2019) OTTAWA — Production of crude oil in Canada will grow nearly 50 per cent by 2040 even though energy use per person will decline by more than 15 per cent, according to a long-term outlook released Tuesday by the Canada Energy...
CN ramps up service as propane, grain industries demand priority
(Source: Canadian Press, November 29, 2019) MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. says it is striving to address grain and propane backlogs as it ramps up service following an eight-day strike, but industry producers are demanding priority treatment that may not...
Death of CP Rail engineer highlights union’s safety concerns
(Source: Canadian Press, December 3, 2019) PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. — A union representing Canadian railway workers is renewing calls for safer work conditions after a locomotive engineer died Monday night in Port Coquitlam, B.C. Full story: Times Colonist
Fatal CP Rail accident at Port Coquitlam, B.C.
(Source: Teamsters Canada Rail Conference press release, December 3, 2019) LAVAL, Quebec — A Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) locomotive engineer died last night in an accident at the company’s rail yard in Port Coquitlam, BC. This is the tenth member of the Teamsters...
Rail worker killed in north Wichita yard accident
(Source: Television station KAKE, December 3, 2019) WICHITA, Kan. — A rail yard employee has died after an incident involving a train in north Wichita. It happened just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3. Wichita police say some workers were loading and moving rail...
A newly digitized menu collection shows off America’s lost railroad cuisine
(Source: Atlas Obscura, December 2, 2019) NEW YORK — Ira Silverman was always on the go. In the late 1960s, the train enthusiast enrolled in Northwestern University’s Transportation Center in Evanston, near the great national rail hub of Chicago. This proximity gave...
Amtrak CEO wants to be a good “steward” of the country’s passenger rail corporation
(Source: Radio station WBUR, December 2, 2019) BOSTON — Since Amtrak chief executive Richard Anderson left his previous job as CEO of Delta Airlines to lead America’s railroad, he’s faced a new challenge — maintaining a relationship with Congress. Full story:...
BLET News
BLET disputes Mineta remarks
The statement issued by U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta on July 5 regarding Amtrak and the Alaska Railroad is pure bunk.
James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund Essay Contest
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund Essay Contest will award scholarships annually to 50 students. The completed application and essay must be received by the Scholarship Fund office no later than September 30, 2005.
FRA rule calls for improved “black box” standards
The survivability of railroad locomotive event recorders or “black boxes” will be improved to enhance the quality of post-accident investigations as a result of a final rule entered into the Federal Register on June 30.
Fact Sheet: Autonomy strengthened
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers merger with the Teamsters has resulted in increased strength and greater resources for both rail unions.
BLET Job Bank: Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)
The Missouri Department of Transportation is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for its Railroad Operations Manager position.
House vote shows overwhelming support for Amtrak
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives took a courageous step and voted to fully fund our nation’s passenger rail carrier, Amtrak. The House recognized what the American people have known for decades — that Amtrak is an integral and valuable portion of the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Members of the House sided with the American people voted to save Amtrak from its foes in the Bush administration.
BMWE member responds to UTU distortions
Your unprovoked attack against the BMWED is little more than the desperate act of a desperate union leader who has lost his way and his focus.
House passes amendment to fully fund Amtrak
An amendment offered by Representatives James Oberstar (D-MN) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH), which would fully fund Amtrak, passed today by a voice vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Fact Sheet: Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition
By joining together in this Coalition, the constituent labor unions intend to send a unified message of Rail Labor strength and solidarity to the carriers.
President Hahs letter to all NS conductors and trainmen
The following is the text of a letter sent to all Norfolk Southern conductors and trainmen by BLET National President Don M. Hahs on June 16.
