Rail Industry News
AAR: Rail traffic declines again for week ending October 19, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 23, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 19, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 507,381...
Tentative UAW-GM deal would add tech committee to address industry changes
(Source: Detroit News, October 23, 2019) DETROIT — The United Auto Workers and General Motors Co. would partner under their new contract to manage the impact of new technologies that threaten a century-old manufacturing process currently employing tens of thousands....
Senator Durbin pushes to improve Amtrak on-time performance
(Source: Television station WSIL, October 23, 2019) CHICAGO — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent letters to Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to keep pressure on both agencies to figure out a way to improve on-time performances -- especially on...
Rail group celebrates big win for QC-Chicago Amtrak line
(Source: Television station WQAD, October 23, 2019) CHICAGO — The High-Speed Rail Alliance, formerly the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association, held its Fall Meeting Wednesday, October 23. The group, which supports rail projects across the state, discussed the new...
We are in a freight recession
(Source: Railway Age, October 23, 2019) NEW YORK — No news is good news—or at least that’s how it seems when the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports on U.S. rail traffic. But according to some industry analysts, the U.S. Class I freight rail industry is in...
Norfolk Southern confident it can reach 2021 operating ratio target
(Source: Freight Waves, October 23, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Despite facing macroeconomic headwinds in the fourth quarter and into 2020, Norfolk Southern’s leaders insist that the eastern U.S. railroad will reach a target operating ratio (OR) of 60% by 2021. Full...
Coal and intermodal declines as Norfolk Southern profit falls 3% in Q3 2019
(Source: Freight Waves, October 23, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Declining coal and intermodal volumes contributed to a 3% drop in third-quarter profits for Norfolk Southern. Third-quarter net income fell 6% to $657 million, or $2.49/diluted share, compared with $702...
NS coal traffic drops in Q3 2019 on weak global competition
(Source: S&P Global Platts, October 23, 2019) HOUSTON — Norfolk Southern railroad reported lower coal volumes in the third quarter, driven by a weak global market and domestic utility competition, executives said Wednesday. Coal volumes totaled 218,700, down 15% from...
Norfolk Southern stock falls after revenue falls shy of expectations
(Source: MarketWatch, October 23, 2019) NEW YORK — Shares of Norfolk Southern Corp. slid 2.1% in premarket trading Wednesday, after the railroad operator reported a decline in third-quarter earnings and revenue that fell a bit more than expected, as misses in its coal...
Canadian National cuts full-year adjusted profit outlook on lower demand
(Source: Reuters, October 23, 2019) MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. on Tuesday cut its adjusted profit forecast for the year and said it expects the first half of 2020 to be “challenging” as freight demand in North America takes a hit from a weakening...
CP Rail profit beats on lower fuel expenses, higher shipments
(Source: Reuters, October 23, 2019) NEW YORK — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd beat analysts’ estimates for quarterly profit on Wednesday, driven by lower fuel expenses and higher shipments of coal, crude and fertilizers. Full story: Reuters
CP Rail reports Q3 2019 financial results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, October 23, 2019) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today announced record third-quarter revenues of $1.98 billion, and reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.46, or $4.61 on an adjusted diluted EPS...
Northwest rail group lobbies for return of Oregon Trail Amtrak route to Boise
(Source: Spokane Public Radio, October 22, 2019) SPOKANE, Wash. — As scenic train rides go, it would be a plum ticket. Pacific Northwest passenger rail buffs are gathering in La Grande, Oregon, this Saturday to drum up support to bring back part of a long ago canceled...
Amtrak Downeaster asks Mainers to weigh in on expanded rail service
(Source: Associated Press, October 22, 2019) PORTLAND, Maine — Amtrak says it wants community input on expanding service in Maine. Amtrak's Downeaster passenger rail service asks for public input on if an expansion of its Portland area coverage is appealing to...
CSX uncovers trip plan compliance
(Source: Railway Age, October 22, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX is taking a bold transparency move. In releasing its Trip Plan Compliance performance information, it is also at the early stages of disclosing how poor logistics delivery to customers has been in the past. But,...
The MTA is prepared to blow its deadline for installing PTC
(Source: Gothamist, October 22, 2019) NEW YORK — The life-saving, federally-mandated technology the MTA was supposed to install on its commuter rail lines after two fatal crashes is not likely to be completed on time. Nabil Ghaly, president at Rail Transport...
Slow shipments from Asia could mean sluggish Christmas shopping season
(Source: The Post and Courier, October 22, 2019) CHARLESTON, S.C. — A weaker-than-normal peak shipping season for Asian businesses making goods bound for U.S. markets could be an indication of a sluggish Christmas shopping season. Full story: The Post and Courier
Railroads face major challenges to jump-start their intermodal business
(Source: Freight Waves, October 22, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Not all that long ago, say 2015 to 2017, it was the best of times for the railroads’ intermodal business. These times are not like those times. The railroads have been mired in intermodal red ink all year...
Activist investor that shook up CSX sells most of its stake
(Source: Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2019) NEW YORK — The activist that shook up CSX Corp. has wound down most of its investment in the railroad operator, marking an end to a three-year saga that helped spur a massive overhaul of the U.S. railroad industry. Paul...
Canadian National sees Q3 2019 profit amid headwinds
(Source: Freight Waves, October 22, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Despite a lower operating ratio and higher revenue and net profits in the third quarter, Canadian National Railway said it plans to lower its guidance for 2019 amid sluggish rail volumes and a softer North...
BLET News
North Dakota State Legislative Board elects officers
Mike R. Muscha of BLET Division 671 (Enderlin, N.D.) has been elected by acclamation to another four-year term as Chairman of the North Dakota State Legislative Board in meetings held here today.
BMWE: Setting the record straight
Recently, RRESQ (Railroad Employee Safety and Quality) circulated an article produced by the UTU that contained false information. Below is one unsolicited response to this article from the BMWE’s Director of Safety and Education Rick Inclima.
Ohio AFL-CIO adopts stringent rail resolution
On August 24, the Ohio AFL-CIO passed a Hazmat resolution that calls for strict controls of automated train technology. Federation President William Burga confirmed the resolution’s passage at the 24th Biennial AFL-CIO Ohio State Convention.
North Dakota Legislative Board holds quadrennial meeting
BLET Legislative Representatives from across North Dakota are gathering here in the state capital today for the quadrennial meeting of the North Dakota State Legislative Board.
BLET announces Local Chairman Workshop, Oct. 17–21
The BLET Education & Training Department will conduct a Local Chairman Workshop from October 17-21, 2004, at the National Labor College on the campus of the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md.
BLET Job Bank: MBCR
Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company is hiring certified Class 1 locomotive engineers.
BLET Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., is recruiting Locomotive Engineers to work out of Fort Wayne, Ind.
BLET to conduct advanced Local Chairman Workshop
The Education & Training Department of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is seeking participants for an advanced Local Chairman Workshop scheduled for October 31-November 5.
J.T. Norris reelected to lead Legislative Board Chairmen
J.T. Norris of BLET Division 562 (Richmond, Va.) was reelected to another term as the Chairman of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen in meetings here yesterday.
BLET State Legislative Chairmen meet in Montana
BLET State Legislative Chairmen from across the United States are meeting here this week under the auspices of the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen.
