Rail Industry News
BNSF train derails east of Flagstaff, closes tracks indefinitely
(Source: Arizona Daily Sun, October 14, 2019) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) reports a derailed freight train has closed both main tracks east of Flagstaff early Monday morning. Full story: Arizona Daily Sun
Union Pacific cutting about 200 jobs at Neff Yard in Kansas City, Mo.
(Source: Television KCTV, October 15, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Union Pacific is switching their operations from Kansas City, Missouri, to Kansas City, Kansas, which will cut jobs. The union says the move will eliminate 200 jobs, but the company also said that some...
Minneapolis passenger rail service to Duluth, another train to Chicago, still being considered
(Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, October 14, 2019) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Supporters of passenger rail service in Minnesota, including restoration of the route from the Twin Cities to Duluth and additional service to Chicago, are plotting their push for state funding...
UP to route 135 trains per day through Manteca, Calif.
(Source: Manteca Bulletin, October 11, 2019) MANTECA, Calif. — Union Pacific Railroad has put Manteca on notice to expect 135 trains eventually to pass through the city each day. That’s an enormous leap from today’s railroad traffic that sends 56 trains now each day...
UAW-GM strike, day 29: Talks continue as pressure ramps up for agreement
(Source: Detroit News, October 14, 2019) DETROIT — The United Automobile Workers union strike against General Motors Co. entered its 29th day Monday after another tumultuous weekend at the bargaining table. Full story: Detroit News
BNSF investigates Nebraska coal train collision
(Source: NBC Nebraska, October 12, 2019) ANTIOCH, Neb. — Train crews with Burlington Northern Santa Fe were uninjured after two coal trains collided Friday night. It happened just west Antioch just at around 11 p.m. Full story: www.knopnews2.com
PTC update: Class Is press ahead to meet implementation deadline
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 10, 2019) With the deadline a little more than a year away, railroads continue to chip away at positive train control (PTC) implementation. The 42 roads that are subject to the federal mandate — and end-of-2020 deadline —...
Can PSR save the railroads’ third-quarter profits?
(Source: Freight Waves, October 10, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — As the third-quarter earnings season kicks off next week for the Class I railroads, one question will be the degree to which the railroads’ safeguard themselves against lower volumes as a result of their...
Demand for coal falls to 42-year low
(Source: CNN Business, October 10, 2019) NEW YORK — U.S. power plants are expected to consume less coal next year than at any point since President Jimmy Carter was in office, according to government forecasts released on Tuesday. Although Trump has tried to boost...
AAR: Rail traffic declines again during week ending October 5, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 9, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 5, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 515,061...
Railroad unemployment and sickness benefits will increase slightly due to new sequestration rate
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, September 27, 2019) CHICAGO — Starting October 1, 2019, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will reduce railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits by 5.9 percent, down from the current 6.2 percent...
Erie-built locomotives honor military, police, first responders
(Source: GoErie.com, October 9, 2019) ERIE, Pa. — Lake Shore Railway Historical Museum in North East is getting ready to show off this Saturday and Sunday as many as three CSX locomotives built in Erie. Full story: www.goerie.com
Opinion: As Amtrak eliminates white-tablecloth dining on some trains, here’s a reminder to make “someday” plans now
(Source: Column by Melissa Oyler published at Charlotte Five, October 10, 2019) CHARLOTTE, N.C. — I’ve never ridden across the United States via train, though I’ve always said I would — one of these days. You know, when I have the time. My experience with...
In Missouri’s capital city, Amtrak riders wait under tents while train station is inspected
(Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 10, 2019) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Riders hitting the rails in Missouri’s capital city might find the new waiting area at the Jefferson City Amtrak station a bit rustic. Rather than the regular waiting area inside a historic...
OmniTRAX acquires Winchester & Western
(Source: Herald-Mail, October 9, 2019) MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The leaders of one of North America’s largest privately held rail-centric transportation and logistic-services companies celebrated the acquisition of Winchester & Western Railroad Co. at a reception Tuesday...
UAW-GM strike, day 24: Talks continue after downbeat note from UAW
(Source: Detroit News, October 9, 2019) DETROIT — Job security is at the center of negotiations between General Motors Co. and the United Auto Workers, locked in a nationwide strike that continued into its 24th day Wednesday. Full story: Detroit News
U.S. steelmakers, aluminum companies sue railroads over alleged price fixing
(Source: S&P Global Platts, October 9, 2019) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Several US steelmakers and aluminum companies have filed a pair of lawsuits alleging the country's four largest railroad companies conspired to fix prices over a period of at least five years, according to...
Total rail traffic declined 7.1% from 2018 in week ending October 5
(Source: Freight Waves, October 9, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Carloads on the railroads remained under water in the first week of the fourth quarter 2019, which ended on October 5. Total traffic on U.S. railroads declined 7.1% to 515,061 carloads compared to the same...
RRB names Chief Information Officer
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 8, 2019) CHICAGO — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has named Terryne Murphy as its Chief Information Officer (CIO). As CIO, Ms. Murphy will head the RRB’s Bureau of Information Services and its staff...
Metra planning $2.6 billion of improvements over 5 years
(Source: Daily Herald, October 8, 2019) CHICAGO — A comfy resting spot, an on-time train and somewhere to keep warm in winter? For Metra riders with low expectations it might sound too good to be true, but agency leaders on Tuesday promised nearly $2.6 billion in...
BLET News
W&LE trainmen vote BLET
Conductors and trainmen at the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway have dumped the United Transportation Union in favor of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen.
Fla. AFL-CIO opposes remote control operations in letter to FRA Administrator
Cindy Hall, the President of the Florida State AFL-CIO, has sent a letter to Acting Federal Railroad Administrator Betty Munro asking for greater scrutiny of remote control operations and stricter regulations.
BLET bill boosts transport van safety
A bill sponsored by the BLET’s Missouri State Legislative Board will make off-duty vehicles safer when it becomes effective next month.
Hoffa to address Democratic National Convention
International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa is attending the Democratic National Convention in Boston this week as a delegate from Michigan, and will address the Convention today at 5:45 p.m.
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.
