Rail Industry News
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:...
Neff Yard sits nearly empty after Union Pacific announcement
(Source: Television station KSHB, October 17, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Union Pacific's decision to transfer switching operations away from Neff Yard will lead to at least 200 people losing their jobs and far fewer trains going in and out of the once-popular freight...
UAW reaches tentative deal with GM
(Source: Detroit News, October 16, 2019) DETROIT — The United Auto Workers’ month-long strike against General Motors Co. could be nearing an end after they reached a proposed tentative agreement Wednesday that is expected to deliver base-wage increases, uncapped...
CSX Q3 2019 profit slips 4% as railroad hauls less freight
(Source: Associated Press, October 16, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX's profit declined 4% in the third quarter, but tight cost controls helped the railroad weather a 5% decline in volume. The Jacksonville, Florida, based railroad said it earned $856 million, or $1.08...
CSX announces Q3 2019 financial results
(Source: CSX press release, October 16, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corporation today announced third quarter 2019 net earnings of $856 million, or $1.08 per share, versus $894 million, or $1.05 per share in the same period last year (an earnings per share increase...
Union Pacific reports Q3 2019 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, October 17, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2019 third quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.22 per diluted share. This compares to $1.6 billion, or $2.15 per diluted share, in the third quarter...
Union Pacific Q3 2019 profit down 2% volume down 8%
(Source: Associated Press, October 17, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — The slowing economy and ongoing trade disputes are dragging railroad profits down in the second half of the year. Union Pacific and CSX railroads both reported declining profit and revenue as they hauled less...
BLET News
BLET responds to latest UTU attack
BLET National President Don M. Hahs today responded to the latest rhetoric from the United Transportation Union.
AFL-CIO launches My Vote, My Right campaign
The AFL-CIO has begun a campaign to protect voting rights in the 2004 election. The campaign, entitled “My Vote, My Right,” is aimed at ensuring every vote is counted in the 2004 election.
BLET/IBT to conduct collective bargaining survey
In the coming months the BLET/Teamster Rail Conference will begin coordinated national bargaining with the nation’s railroads. In order to best represent your interests, this campaign will be member-driven and reflect the desires and priorities of our members whose day-to-day hard work ensures the safe transport of rail freight throughout the United States.
El Paso County passes remote control safety resolution
On July 19, El Paso County, Texas, became the 61st community in the United States to adopt a remote control safety resolution.
BLET Job Bank-Amtrak
Amtrak is recruiting three Class 1 Locomotive Engineers to work in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
60th community passes remote control safety resolution
Erie County, N.Y., has become the 60th community to pass a resolution in opposition to remote control locomotives.
BLET response to Paul Thompson
This will acknowledge your letter dated July 13, 2004, wherein you stated that since being elevated to International President of the UTU you have repeatedly done all you could to make peace with BLET. You suggested a review of the BLE/UTU Merger document to determine if the concerns of the BLE membership could somehow be addressed. You further state that my response to your proposal was that peace is impossible unless the UTU joins the BLE in an affiliation with the Teamsters.
Pine Bluff remote control accident reinforces BLET’s safety concerns
A July 9 remote control accident in Pine Bluff, Ark., underscored a number of concerns the BLET shared with the Federal Railroad Administration during recent safety meetings in Washington, D.C.
Colorado AFL-CIO opposes remote control operations
The Colorado AFL-CIO joined 17 other state labor federations in condemning the use of remote control locomotives.
Iowa Democrats oppose remote control
The Iowa Democratic Party included a section of language opposing unregulated operation of remote control locomotives in its party platform, which was passed without issue at its convention on June 26. It was part of the Transportation/Infrastructure plank.
