Rail Industry News
Amtrak completes early construction activities on B&P Tunnel replacement program
Starting last March, Amtrak finished its early construction activities as part of its B&P Tunnel Replacement Program ahead of construction of a new Frederick Douglass Tunnel.
CPKC and Americold team up to locate cold storage facilities along rail network
Anchored by rail transportation service, the intent is to build the first facility in Kansas City, Mo. to bring together cold storage and value-added-services with expedited intermodal transportation solutions connecting key U.S. Midwest and Mexico markets.
New rule would make all railroads alert first responders within 10 miles of derailed train cargo
The Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed a new rule Wednesday that would require all railroads to immediately send the details of everything aboard their trains to every emergency responder within 10 miles, as soon as the railroad becomes aware of an accident.
The unfinished business of East Palestine
Four months after a Norfolk Southern train carrying a toxic cocktail of hazardous materials derailed there, East Palestine, Ohio, is back in the news.
Investigation begins after autonomous ore train derails in Australia
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has begun an investigation after 30 cars of one of its autonomous iron ore trains derailed Saturday.
BNSF preps for intermodal growth via West Coast ports
BNSF Railway Co. is prepared for increasing intermodal volume through U.S. West Coast ports now that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have reached a tentative labor agreement, the railroad announced late last week.
Norfolk Southern fights federal, state penalties over East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern Railroad is opposing efforts by the federal government and the State of Ohio to recoup the costs of cleaning up hazardous materials left following the derailment of one of their trains in East Palestine on February 3, 2023.
Second body found in locomotive at UP’s Bailey Yard in North Platte
Deputies located a badly decomposing male body in a small compartment used to house a fire extinguisher, on the rear of the engine. Investigators saw no signs of foul play.
STB’s Oberman responds to AAR complaints about RETAC meeting
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman late last week responded to concerns raised by the Association of American Railroads about subjects discussed at the spring 2023 meeting of the board’s Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC).
NS trains blocked intersection in South Carolina 50 times in two months, each time for hours or days at a time
One intersection in Greenville was blocked 50 times in April and May, with some trains blocking traffic for hours or days at a time.
Carmen’s union, BNSF seek expansion of test program for brake monitoring
The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division has joined with BNSF Railway to support an effort to further use of technology analyzing the health of railcar brake systems.
Amtrak, BNSF seek closure of Seattle street for yard expansion
Amtrak and BNSF Railway are asking the city of Seattle to close a section of a street near the Seattle Mariners’ ballpark in the city’s Sodo neighborhood to expand the passenger carrier’s maintenance facility and eliminate a busy grade crossing.
NTSB releases witness lineup for East Palestine investigative hearing
The National Transportation Safety Board Friday released the list of organizations providing witnesses for the two-day investigative hearing in East Palestine, Ohio, next week.
Railroad industry sues to block new locomotive pollution rules
The railroad industry on June 16 sued to block new environmental rules in California, arguing they would force the premature retirement of about 25,000 diesel-powered locomotives across the country long before their zero-emission counterparts are ready to take their place.
BNSF petitions FRA for waiver on extended haul trains
Specifically, BNSF requests a waiver extension from 49 CFR 232.12, Extended haul trains, to continue operating extended haul trains for distances of up to 1,702 miles, beyond the limit of 1,500 miles stated in the regulation.
Protesters interrupt Ohio House session to demand an East Palestine disaster declaration
Protesters interrupted a session of the Ohio House this week demanding that Governor Mike DeWine declare a state of emergency in East Palestine as a result of the catastrophic train derailment earlier this year.
NTSB cites slack action in final report on 2022 BNSF remote control fatality in Denver
Slack action was the probable cause of the Feb. 9, 2022, death of a BNSF Railway remote control operator helper who fell from the front platform of his locomotive in Denver, the National Transportation Safety Board said today.
CPKC has high hopes for new intermodal reefer service
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Rail (CPKC) is bullish on the prospects for its Mexico intermodal reefer service launched last month despite the closure last week of one of the pioneers of the concept.
Railroad history goes up for sale at Montana’s Izaak Walton Inn
They swarmed like hawks on roadkill along nearby U.S. Highway 2. On Saturday, hundreds of railfans, history buffs and curious locals descended on Montana’s Izaak Walton Inn to purchase whatever they could from the beloved railroad lodge that was recently sold and will soon be renovated by new owners.
Batteries on freight locomotives could be tapped to support the power grid in emergencies: study
If electric batteries become more common on the nation’s freight rail lines, researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory suggest those batteries could be called upon to deal with spikes in energy demand.
BLET News
In the Line of Duty: Division 604 member Jerry D. Arterberry, 1969-2024
Brother Jerry D. Arterberry, a BNSF conductor and member of BLET Division 604, suffered a medical emergency and passed away while working at BNSF’s yard in Madill, Oklahoma, on September 7. He was 54 years old.
Americans’ approval of labor unions near highest level since 1960s
A Gallup survey release just prior to Labor Day 2024 shows that a strong majority of Americans continue to view labor unions in a positive light.
Sausville reelected Chairman of Florida State Legislative Board
Brother Shawn Sausville was reelected to his second term as Chairman of the BLET’s Florida State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting on August 28, 2024. Brother Sausville is a CSX locomotive engineer who also serves as Legislative Representative of Division 309 (Jacksonville, Fla.).
BLET continues to lead the way in publicly exposing the dangers of remote control train operations
In an August 28 national news story, the Associated Press reported on a simple solution to improving the safety of remote control train operations: two-person train crews.
Registration open for upcoming rail hazmat training classes
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting four in-person rail worker training sessions in late 2024 and early 2025. The dates are as follows: October 13-18, 2024; January 12-17, 2025; February 16-21, 2025; and March 16-21, 2025.
FRA safety culture survey shows need for C3RS as BNSF continues to retaliate against workers for reporting safety concerns
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released the results of its safety culture survey at the BNSF Railway on August 28. The FRA found that company leaders routinely say that safety is a core value, but lower-level managers still prioritize keeping the trains...
Labor Day 2024: BLET members show their pride
Toledo photo: BLET members and guests in the Northwest Ohio area gathered to participate in the Toldeo Labor Day parade. Union pride was on full display at parades, picnics, and related events on Labor Day. Major parades took place in large cities such as Milwaukee,...
California: BLET secures C3RS safety program for new COASTER members
The BLET wasted no time in making working conditions safer for new members at COASTER by securing participation in C3RS. NCTD image _____________________ The BLET has hit the ground running at COASTER and is already making the workplace safer for its newest members....
NJ Transit: PEB 251 issues report and recommendations
On August 23, Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 251 issued its recommendations to President Biden to settle the contract dispute between BLET and New Jersey Transit. Under the Railway Labor Act, if there is no settlement between the parties based on a PEB’s...
FRA backs BLET, denies carriers’ backdoor effort to waive PTC safety regulations
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sided with the BLET on August 26 when it denied a joint waiver request by five railroads seeking to change operating rules in the event of unplanned Positive Train Control (PTC) outages. The BLET filed formal written comments...
