Rail Industry News
NTSB issues air brake recommendations to freight railroads
(Source: Freight Waves, September 23, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is asking U.S. freight railroads to review their air brake and train handling instructions for end-of-train devices following a fatal October 2018 accident...
Amtrak launches nonstop service between NYC and Washington, D.C.
(Source: NBC New York, September 23, 2019) NEW YORK — Travelers wishing to have a shorter train ride between New York City and Washington, D.C. don't have to wait any longer — Amtrak on Monday begins its Acela Nonstop service, offering direct service between the two...
Nebraska drivers complain after BNSF shuts down 156th Street without county approval
(Source: Omaha World-Herald, September 21, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — Sarpy drivers hit quite the snag on their end-of-the-workweek commute — and county officials were flooded with complaints. County officials said BNSF Railway Co. shut down 156th Street — without approval —...
Rail and trucks go head to head as railroads may re-introduce dropped intermodal routes
(Source: Motley Fool, September 20, 2019) NEW YORK — Trucks are hearing the distant rumblings of an approaching freight train that they would rather see derailed. Precision scheduled railroading (PSR) may finally be paying off for railroads. Operating ratios have...
Norfolk Southern may have to pay back millions in fines to coal carrier
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, September 20, 2019) NEW YORK — Norfolk Southern Railway calls its situation with Drummond Coal Co. a case of buyer’s remorse. In federal court this week, the Class 1 railroad company might be the one having second thoughts. A jury...
Top NJ Transit executive discusses agency’s problems and prospects
(Source: NJ Spotlight, September 23, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — With an aging infrastructure and an ever-growing fleet of buses and trains to maintain, NJ Transit has had no shortage of shortfalls. The agency has a progressive capital plan, but it’s unclear if the funding...
How GM’s profit sharing offer to UAW members missed the mark
(Source: Detroit Free Press, September 22, 2019) DETROIT — A sticking point in General Motors negotiations with the UAW involves profit sharing, and a person familiar with GM's proposal said it falls short of union demands. Full story: Detroit Free Press
August employment level reaches new low at U.S. railroads
(Source: Freight Waves, September 21, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The total number of employees working for the U.S. operations of Class I railroads in August sank to its lowest level in years, according to an analysis of data from the Surface Transportation Board. The...
Stopped trains blocking first responders, school buses in Muncie, Ind.
(Source: Television station RTV6, September 22, 2019) MUNCIE, Ind. — Trains are stopping for long periods of time in Muncie, causing disruptions to first responders, school buses and drivers, and the city said it is looking into writing tickets to train companies to...
Public urged to #StopTrackTragedies during rail safety week in North America
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, September 22, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C / OTTAWA — Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit organization...
The end of an American tradition: The Amtrak dining car
(Source: Washington Post, September 22, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Harrison Keely’s most fond memories of riding Amtrak all include snapshots of the dining car. The shiny silverware and white linens. Enjoying thick slices of French toast covered with powdered sugar and...
After three years, federal grant for safety measures at CSX rail crossing near Baltimore remains unspent
(Source: Baltimore Sun, September 20, 2019) BALTIMORE, Md. — Three years after a CSX freight train hit a garbage truck, derailed and exploded in Rosedale in 2013, the state of Maryland won a $700,000 grant from the federal government for safety improvements at that...
California high-speed rail board votes on proposed Valley to San Jose route, amid backlash
(Source: Fresno Bee, September 17, 2019) SAN JOSE, Calif. — The California High-Speed Rail Authority board voted unanimously Tuesday on a route that may ultimately connect the San Joaquin Valley with San Jose — though it didn’t come without some backlash from...
Metra Electric Line schedule altered by PTC installation
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, September 18, 2019) CHICAGO — Metra plans to tweak the schedule of Electric Line trains next year after installing a federally mandated electronic safety system intended to prevent collisions. The Positive Train Control safety system...
MMA fighter sues Norfolk Southern over near-fatal accident
(Source: MMA Fighting, September 19, 2019) NEW YORK — UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes suffered severe injuries in a near-fatal train accident in 2017. Now he’s going after the company he alleges caused the crash. Full story: MMA Fighting
KCS to release Q3 2019 results on October 18
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, September 20, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) will release its third quarter 2019 financial results on Friday, October 18, 2019, before the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. KCS will...
UP to release Q3 2019 results on October 17
(Source: Union Pacific press release, September 19, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — You are invited to listen to Union Pacific Corporation’s (NYSE: UNP) third quarter 2019 earnings release presentation that will be broadcast live over the Internet and via teleconference on...
Wabtec closing Idaho plant, moving work to Erie
(Source: Idaho Statesman, September 19, 2019) BOISE, Idaho — Locomotive manufacturer MotivePower Inc. will close its Boise plant, its parent company says, marking the end of a unique industrial role for Boise. The parent, Wabtec Corp., formerly Westinghouse Air Brake...
Teamsters: The income inequality struggle is real and needs to be fixed
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, September 18, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Too many working Americans continue to struggle through no fault of their own. While elites seem to like to pointing fingers at those scraping to get by, however, new...
As rail industry changes, furloughed workers search for a way forward
(Source: Television station WDBJ, September 19, 2019) ROANOKE, Va. — Fifteen days: That's how long it's been since machinist Jason Dunn was furloughed from his job at Norfolk Southern. Since then, he says it's been a daily search to figure out what comes next when the...
BLET News
Memorial fund established for families of fallen Brothers
A memorial fund has been established for the families of Anthony C. Rodella and Jeffrey S. Bohler, the two BLET members who lost their lives in a Union Pacific Railroad accident on February 21.
Former Vice-President McGuire passes away
Former International Vice-President Carl Phillip McGuire passed away after a long illness on February 29 at the Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky.
BLET conducts planning session
The Advisory Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a division of the Teamsters Rail Conference, conducted its first strategic planning session last week. The Union’s approach for collective bargaining, safety, and security were among key topics at the meeting. A significant point during the three-day session was the structure of the Trainmen Department within the BLET.
Alabama State AFL-CIO passes remote control safety resolution
The Alabama State AFL-CIO passed a remote control resolution on February 7.
BLET announces logo options
A patriotic red, white and blue logo is the favorite of Internet users who voted in an online poll conducted by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
BLET Executive Committee endorses John Kerry for President
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced today that its Executive Committee voted unanimously to endorse Senator John F. Kerry for President of the United States.
BLET members killed in collision
Two members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen were killed in an accident on Saturday, February 21.
Carteret, N.J. becomes 49th community to question remote safety
The Borough of Carteret, N.J., became the 49th U.S. community to pass a remote control safety resolution. The Carteret Council unanimously passed the resolution on February 5.
Union Privilege launches two new Union Plus programs
Union Privilege is starting off 2004 by adding two new Union Plus programs to its growing list of benefits and services — the Union Plus Health Club Discounts and Home Heating Oil Discounts programs.
Improved vision care benefits now available
The newly ratified BLET National Agreement provides an improved vision care plan.
