Rail Industry News
UAW-GM strike, day 40: Votes today could end strike
(Source: Detroit News, October 25, 2019) DETROIT — With the majority of United Auto Workers locals approving a new deal with General Motors Co., Friday could be the end of the longest strike against the automaker since 1970. Full story: Detroit News
Bossier merchants battle stopped trains
(Source: Television station KTBS, October 24, 2019) BOSSIER CITY, La. — The pain of waiting on a train. We've all been there. And KTBS has told you how a Louisiana law that fines railroads that block intersections for more than 20 minutes is useless. That's because...
Norfolk Southern struggles to prove PSR progress amid low volumes
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, October 24, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Though Norfolk Southern is confident it will reach a sub-60% OR by 2021 as planned, analysts were incredulous as to why the railroad is not posting incremental OR progress. While rail volumes are down...
CP Rail reports 8.7 percent rise in adjusted profit
(Source: Reuters, October 24, 2019) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway reported an 8.7 per cent rise in its third-quarter adjusted profit on Wednesday, helped by strength in its intermodal unit. The country’s second-largest railroad operator said adjusted net income...
CN and CP both lower their shipment forecasts, signaling an economic slowdown
(Source: Financial Post, October 25, 2019) OTTAWA — Canada’s two railroads expect to ship less freight than previously forecast this year, signaling a larger economic slowdown given the transportation industry’s status as an economic bellwether. Full story: Financial...
Slump persists for North American rail volumes
(Source: Freight Waves, October 24, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — North American rail volumes are still slumping amid expectations that fourth-quarter rail traffic will remain subdued through the end of the year. Year-to-date U.S. rail volumes, which represent 73% of...
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...
BLET News
Seniority maintenance tied to exclusive representation
BLET General Chairman Tom Roberts today clarified the reason behind his General Committee’s recent action to begin a seniority maintenance fee program at Conrail.
UTU smokescreen: Blame BLET for future scheme
The United Transportation Union’s latest attack against the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen regarding seniority maintenance fees is a smokescreen created to draw attention away from its imminent plan to implement seniority maintenance fees on the national level, BLET National President Don Hahs charged today.
BLET wishes Betty Child a speedy recovery
BLET National President Don Hahs announced today that long-time BLET employee and honorary BLET member Betty Child has taken a medical leave of absence from her work in the BLET’s National Legislative offices in Washington, D.C.
BLET fights against Mexican inspection of U.S. trains
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen recently testified against allowing the Union Pacific Railroad to operate trains to the far interior of the United States with inspections of safety critical equipment done in Mexico.
Kerry sends loud message on transportation security
The following statement was issued today by Edward Wytkind, President of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department.
Daughter of BLET member injured in automobile accident
Emily Frei, the daughter of BLET Division 239 (Knoxville, Tenn.) member Scott Frei, was involved in a tragic automobile accident on Friday, August 27.
The Teamster Disaster Relief Fund needs your support
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is asking for contributions to provide assistance to members in the areas ravaged by the recent floods and storms.
House bill would outlaw remote control hazmat operations
Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would prohibit railroads from using remote control locomotives to transport hazardous materials.
East St. Louis hazmat spill the latest in rash of remote control wrecks
A remote control train wreck in East St. Louis on September 21 is the second serious remote control accident this month, heightening concerns about the lack of enforceable Federal regulations to ensure the safety of these operations.
New England Central workers choose BLET
Train and engine employees at the New England Central Railroad today selected the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen/Teamsters as their designated collective bargaining representative.
