Rail Industry News
Delayed grain crop due to wet summer in Canada dampens spirits of railways, farmers
(Source: Canadian Press, September 25, 2019) TORONTO and EDMONTON – A delayed grain crop is causing headaches for railways, elevator operators and farmers following a dry spring and wet summer. Grain carloads at the two major Canadian rail companies are down 11...
U.S.-China trade war hurting Canada’s largest railway, says CN executive
(Source: Canadian Press, September 25, 2019) MONTREAL — A slumping global economy and the U.S.-China trade war are hurting freight volumes and revenue, says Canadian National Railway Co.'s chief financial officer. "Our volumes are much weaker than expected. This is...
BNSF offers reward after railroad crossing is damaged in Cass County, N.D.
(Source: The Forum, September 24, 2019) CASS COUNTY, N.D. — The BNSF Railway Police is asking the public for help regarding railroad damage. According to a release by the BNSF Railway Police, the damage occurred at a railroad crossing off County Road 20, causing train...
MBTA reaches deal to add 80 more double-decker rail cars
(Source: Boston.com, September 23, 2019) BOSTON — The MBTA is doubling down on double-decker commuter rail cars. The transit agency’s Fiscal and Management Control Board approved a deal Monday to buy 80 new bi-level coaches, as part of a plan to significantly increase...
U.S. officials approve railroad’s plan for Northern Idaho
(Source: Associated Press, September 24, 2019) BOISE, Idaho — BNSF Railway's plan to build two bridges as part of a second railroad line in northern Idaho to accommodate increased train traffic and future growth meets environmental requirements, federal officials...
How wind power technology could benefit railroads
(Source: Freight Waves, September 24, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The link between wind power and rail shipping is difficult to identify. Yet one company in Adelaide, Australia, developed a technology for wind turbines that applies to train cars too. Full story:...
Norfolk Southern might owe millions for alleged contract breach
(Source: Freight Waves, September 24, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern could be forced to pay millions of dollars for breaching a contract to ship coal to coal-fired power plants, a jury determined last week. A jury found on Sept. 17 that NSC didn’t deliver...
Georgia ports mark more growth in container volume
(Source: Progressive Railroading, September 24, 2019) The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) announced yesterday it marked its busiest month ever for containerized trade in August, handling a 16.5 percent increase in container volume compared to the same month last year....
Temporary workers are the No. 1 contract issue for workers, but UAW and GM can’t agree on it
(Source: Detroit Free Press, September 24, 2019) DETROIT — The UAW's strike against General Motors is in its ninth day as bargainers resumed meeting about 8 a.m. Tuesday. About half a dozen key issues remain in play, but none appears to be more contentious than...
Rail trespasser fatalities on the rise in California
(Source: San Francisco Chronicle, September 24, 2019) SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The number of people who step in the path of a moving train is ticking up each year in California, already the state with the highest number of trespasser deaths on railroads. Full story:...
Boost Metra’s clout and funding, CEO asks Congress
(Source: Daily Herald, September 24, 2019) CHICAGO — Metra's 280,000 daily riders deserve to be on an equal footing with freight trains and Amtrak, the agency's CEO testified to a congressional committee Tuesday. Transit passengers across the nation currently play...
Commuter rail CEOs testify on challenges faced during House T&I Subcommittee hearing
(Source: Mass Transit Magazine, September 25, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on Sept. 24 focused on the challenges faced by U.S. commuter...
Amtrak is blaming millennials as it cuts back on dining car meals, but the Internet’s not buying its logic
(Source: Business Insider, September 23, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — People are not thrilled with Amtrak's decision to begin culling traditional dining-car services from some of its long-distance routes. A change.org petition to keep the restaurant-style service on...
Alstom eyes continued growth in wake of Amtrak contract
(Source: Evening Tribune, September 23, 2019) HORNELL, N.Y. — Alstom Project Director Didier Cuadrado was happy to welcome a VIP visit from Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul this week, and he’s hopeful it was far from the last time a state or federal official will drop...
Claude Mongeau, former CEO of CN, elected to Norfolk Southern board of directors
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, September 23, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Claude Mongeau has been elected a director of Norfolk Southern Corporation effective Sept. 23, Chairman, President and CEO James A. Squires announced today. Mongeau, 57, is former president...
Metra chief heads to D.C. in plea for federal help
(Source: Crain’s Chicago Business, September 23, 2019) CHICAGO — The head of Metra will be in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 24 for what is being billed as the first congressional hearing in a decade aimed as exploring the needs of the commuter railroad. Metra CEO Jim...
Dispute over MTA funding for LIRR, Metro-North
(Source: Times Herald-Record, September 23, 2019) NEW YORK — Members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s joint Metro-North/Long Island Rail Road committee sparred Monday over the $1 billion difference in funding assigned to the railroads in the MTA’s...
UAW-GM strike, day 8: 1,200 more layoffs as walkout enters week two
(Source: Detroit News, September 23, 2019) DETROIT — General Motors Co. has laid off another 1,200 workers in the U.S. and Canada as a national strike by the United Auto Workers entered its second week. The automaker confirmed Monday that the temporary layoffs it had...
Amtrak police and Operation Lifesaver mobilize largest railroad safety operation in U.S.
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, September 24, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak Police and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the national railroad safety education organization, are partnering again for the third annual “Operation Clear Track” event during...
The future face of high-speed rail in the Northeast Corridor
(Source: Wired.com, September 24, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three years ago, Amtrak announced it would spend $2.4 billion to upgrade its popular Acela service, which runs between Washington, DC, and Boston. Full story: www.wired.com
BLET News
BLET statement on remote control train wreck in Arlington, Texas
Don Hahs, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, issued the following statement today in response to a remote control accident in Arlington, Texas, on March 11.
Madrid’s terrorist attack on trains a wake-up call to U.S.
Last week’s tragic terrorist attack in Madrid on commuter rail lines must serve as a wake-up call to the United States regarding railroad security.
Portland & Western workers vote BLET
Operating employees at the Portland & Western Railroad selected the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen as their designated collective bargaining representative.
BLET Job Bank: Springfield Terminal
The Springfield Terminal Railway Company is looking to hire six certified locomotive engineers for positions system wide (includes Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts).
The Iowa AFL-CIO enacts remote control safety resolution
The Iowa State AFL-CIO became the 15th state labor federation to enact a remote control resolution.
United Healthcare to hold open enrollment in May
During the month of May 2004, United Healthcare will hold an open enrollment under GA-23111.
BLET statement on New Mexico accident
BLET National President Don Hahs issued the following statement regarding the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary findings in the fatal February 21 train accident in Carrizozo, N.M.
Toledo, Ohio, becomes 50th community to address remote safety
The city of Toledo, Ohio, joined 49 other communities when it passed a resolution questioning the safety of remote control train operations on March 9.
TTD resolution calls for an end to remote control
The Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department unanimously approved a policy resolution on March 7 that calls for an end to remote control train operations.
2004 BLET Scholarship Directory available
The 2004 BLET Scholarship Directory is now available on the BLET website.
