Rail Industry News
Opinion: Railroad traffic analysis, a different approach
(Source: Railway Age opinion column by Jim Blaze, October 20, 2019) NEW YORK — It’s third-quarter 2019 railroad financial results reporting time, and sometimes, insight about rail freight markets comes from strange places. One of those might just be the quarterly...
DOT rolls out LNG “freedom gas” rail plan
(Source: Freight Waves, October 18, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump Administration is moving forward to allow railroads to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) in tank cars through a plan that was immediately rejected by Congressional Democrats. In a proposed...
Freight railroads fight to regain shippers
(Source: Wall Street Journal, October 18, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX Corp. and Union Pacific Corp. are running faster railroads with longer trains and operating more efficiently. They have a bigger challenge ahead in winning over more shippers that remain skeptical after...
Union Pacific plans more job cuts as demand falls off
(Source: Dow Jones, October 17, 2019) NEW YORK — Union Pacific Corp. said it would continue cutting jobs as slower economic growth hampers demand for railroad shipments and as it works to boost productivity. Full story: Morningstar
KCS optimistic about its future
(Source: Freight Waves, October 18, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Although Kansas City Southern declined to provide any guidance on 2020, opportunities to grow cross-border volumes, coupled with additional savings and operational efficiencies as a result of precision...
KCS posts record revenue in Q3 2019 despite flat carload volume
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 18, 2019) Kansas City Southern logged record third-quarter 2019 revenue of $747.7 million, a 7 percent increase over the same quarter a year ago, the Class I announced today. The railroad was helped by a 21 percent increase in...
Virginia is planning an east-west passenger rail route connecting Blue Ridge Mountains to the beach
(Source: Greater Greater Washington, October 16, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Passenger rail advocates and other groups want to resurrect a long-defunct east-west rail line that would run from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Virginia Beach. In its recent report, Virginians...
Illini and Saluki Amtrak routes among worst-performing in U.S., report says
(Source: Chicago Tribune, October 17, 2019) CHICAGO — Amtrak's Illini and Saluki trains have among the worst on-time performance records in the nation, according to a federal watchdog organization. Full story: www.jg-tc.com
Amtrak’s disappearing dining cars
(Source: Railway Age, October 17, 2019) NEW YORK — Amtrak is no longer running dining cars on its trains east of Chicago and New Orleans. This is a sad development in the downward slide of Amtrak’s long-distance trains, especially under CEO Richard Anderson’s...
Tentative UAW-GM deal calls for raises, ratification bonus, Lordstown closure, pathway for temps
(Source: Detroit Free Press, October 17, 2019) DETROIT — According to a summary of the UAW's proposed tentative contract with General Motors, the union won on many of its goals, including a path to permanent employment for temporary autoworkers, a faster route to top...
UP Q3 coal transportation volumes fall 17% on year
(Source: S&P Global Platts, October 17, 2019) HOUSTON — Union Pacific's coal and coke transportation volumes fell 17% year on year in the third quarter of 2019, driven by soft market conditions, contract changes, retirements and lower natural gas prices, the railroad...
Trade war hurts UP’s profit; Railroad plans to cut more jobs, reduce spending
(Source: Reuters, October 17, 2019) NEW YORK — Railroad operator Union Pacific Corp. on Thursday reported quarterly profit that missed analysts’ estimates and said it would cut capital spending and jobs as the multi-front U.S. trade war worsens an industry-wide...
UP sees workforce down by about 4,200 employees this year
(Source: Market Watch, October 17, 2019) NEW YORK — Union Pacific Corp. Chief Financial Officer Robert McKnight said Thursday in a conference call with analysts following third-quarter results, that 2019 workforce levels are expected to be down "slightly more than...
U.S. rail volumes still falling
(Source: Freight Waves, October 17, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Year-to-date U.S. rail volumes continue to be lower compared with the same period in 2018 amid persistent economic uncertainty. For the week ending October 12, the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads...
AAR: Rail traffic down again for week ending October 12, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 16, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 12, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 510,820...
Kansas City Southern reports Q3 2019 results
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release (PDF), October 18, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) reported record revenues of $747.7 million, an increase of 7% from third quarter 2018. Overall, carload volumes were flat compared to prior year. Third...
Canadian Pacific announces schedule and lineup for 2019 Holiday Train
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, October 16, 2019) CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific (CP) is proud to announce the performer lineup and schedule for the 2019 CP Holiday Train program. Entering its 21st year, the CP Holiday Train uses music and...
Amtrak rolls out more comfortable cars for trips out of Chicago
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, October 16, 2019) CHICAGO — If you haven’t traveled by train in a while, Amtrak is summoning you to a new level of comfort on the rails. For coach trips on Midwestern routes, Amtrak is introducing refurbished Horizon cars that make some...
Short lines: Custom, high-growth freight service
(Source: Opinion column by Jim Blaze published at FreightWaves.com, October 15, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Railroad business news seems to be all about the benefits of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). That’s the name of a cost minimization business strategy...
NJ Transit graduates its newest class of locomotive engineers
(Source: www.nj.com, October 16, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — Seven locomotive engineers graduated NJ Transit training classes Wednesday, helping to deliver on the promise of adding a total of 25 to fill the depleted ranks of train operators in New Jersey. Full story:...
BLET News
Safe Rails Secure America campaign begins
The Teamsters Rail Conference has launched the Safe Rails Secure America campaign designed to obtain firsthand information about the true condition of safety and security along our nation’s railroads.
President Hahs statement on BMWE/IBT merger vote
I urge the brothers and sisters of the BMWE to vote for the merger and hope — one day soon — to welcome them into the Rail Conference with open arms.
Cong. Oberstar works to protect rail workers
Once again, Cong. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) is proving why he is a friend to members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Wash. State Labor Council passes RCO safety resolution
The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, unanimously passed a “Safe and Secure Railroad Operations” resolution at the 2004 convention in Tacoma, Wash., on August 26.
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.
