Rail Industry News
Company announces $14 billion deal to build Texas bullet train, but is still long way from the end of the line
(Source: Houston Chronicle, September 14, 2019) HOUSTON — A planned high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas reached another milestone Friday as the sponsoring company announced a $14 billion deal to build it — as soon as it obtains the authority to do so. Full...
Alberta Premier says oil production curtailment exemptions possible if producers ship by rail
(Source: Bloomberg, September 16, 2019) CALGARY, Alberta — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it’s likely his government will allow oil producers to exceed their provincially imposed output caps if they can ship those extra barrels by rail. Full story: Financial...
Chemical shippers endorse STB effort to reform freight rail ship rates
(Source: Progressive Railroading, September 16, 2019) The American Chemistry Council (ACC), which represents rail shippers in the chemical manufacturing industry, announced its support last week for the Surface Transportation Board's recently proposed changes to its...
Metra won’t increase fares in 2020 and will prioritize backlog of improvements
(Source: Curbed Chicago, September 16, 2019) CHICAGO — Metra won’t raise fares in 2020 which means the agency hasn’t asked customers to pay more for two years in a row. The new state capital bill will let the transit agency budget $2.6 million for improvements over...
MTA to spend unprecedented $5.7 billion on LIRR over the next five years
(Source: Nassau Daily Voice, September 16, 2019) LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to spend a whopping $51 billion over the next five years to create a faster, more accessible, and more reliable public transportation system, including...
Lawmakers fear China building “spy trains”
(Source: Chicago Patch, September 15, 2019) CHICAGO — The world's largest train manufacturer, a company owned by the Chinese government, is being targeted by U.S. lawmakers concerned it will build "spy trains" in the United States. CRRC Corporation recently opened a...
House panel investigates DOT Secretary Elaine Chao for alleged ethics violations
(Source: USA Today, September 17, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Oversight and Reform Committee said Monday it would be investigating Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao for alleged ethics violations. Full story: USA Today
Shift to electric vehicles a key issue in UAW strike against GM
(Source: Wired.com, September 17, 2019) NEW YORK — When United Automobile Workers members walked off the job at 33 General Motors sites around the US on Sunday morning, perhaps the most … striking detail was that they only numbered 46,000. The last time the UAW’s GM...
GM strike costing up to $90 million a day as UAW members hold out for a fair deal
(Source: CNBC, September 16, 2019) DETROIT — The music and chants from outside a General Motors assembly plant at midnight Monday could be heard from several blocks away as United Auto Workers members picketed the plant. Full story: CNBC
City of Portland releases photos of bridge damaged by UP derailment
(Source: The Oregonian, September 14, 2019) PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland released dramatic photos Friday showing the scale of damage that occurred last weekend when a Union Pacific train derailed and smashed into multiple Swan Island bridge support columns. Full story:...
Operating on UP tracks, Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner often runs late
(Source: The Examiner, September 14, 2019) JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. — The westbound Amtrak train due at mid-afternoon in Independence arrived more than three hours late Tuesday. On Monday, it didn’t make it at all. The Missouri River Runner, which crosses the state on...
Amtrak rolling out new food options in effort to counter “dumbed down” image
(Source: Albany Times Union, September 14, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rail enthusiasts of a certain age may remember the pre-Amtrak days when dining cars featured real silverware, cloth napkins and table cloths, and food more or less cooked to order. Full story: Albany...
EEOC: Union Pacific ignored doctor’s opinion of worker recovered from tumor
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, September 13, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alleging that it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by refusing to allow a custodian who had a brain tumor removed to return to work, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission...
Canadian railways, government have big plans for Vancouver and Prince Rupert
(Source: Freight Waves, September 13, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) and Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP), as well as the Canadian government, are investing millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements to support anticipated volume growth at...
NJ Transit has spent $302 million on PTC
(Source: www.nj.com, September 16, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — As of the end of August, NJ Transit has spent $302 million on Positive Train Control, said Nancy Snyder, an NJ Transit spokeswoman. Full story: www.nj.com
Jury awards $17 million to 3 plaintiffs in 2017 Amtrak crash at DuPont, Wash.
(Source: Associated Press, September 13, 2019) TACOMA, Wash. — Three people who sued over a deadly Amtrak derailment in Washington state in 2017 have been awarded nearly $17 million by a jury for their pain and suffering. Full story: www.koin.com
Amtrak reveals details about nonstop New York-D.C. service, new sleeping train amenities
(Source: USA Today, September 13, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — A series of changes are on track to debut soon on Amtrak trains. After revealing new amenities exclusive to its new Acela Nonstop service between New York and Washington on Thursday, the company announced it's...
STB proposes rules to make contesting rates easier
(Source: Freight Waves, September 13, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking feedback on two proposed rules aimed at making rail rate review procedures more efficient and accessible, especially for smaller shippers. One proposed...
Idle mines portend dark days for top U.S. coal region
(Source: Associated Press, September 15, 2019) GILLETTE, Wyo. — At two of the world’s biggest coal mines, the finances got so bad that their owner couldn’t even get toilet paper on credit. Warehouse technician Melissa Worden divvied up what remained of the last case,...
Hoffa: Teamsters stand in solidarity with striking GM UAW members
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, September 15, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa about the United Auto Workers’ (UAW’s) decision to strike at General Motors (GM) tonight....
BLET News
Striking grocery workers need our help
The following is an open letter from BLET National President Don M. Hahs to all BLET members regarding the on-going Southern California grocery strike.
Statement by BLET President Hahs commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.
The following is a statement from BLET National President Don M. Hahs on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Timebook update
Members who have requested a 2004 BLET timebook will be able to pick one up from their Division Secretary-Treasurer in the next few weeks.
Historic jury verdict upheld in diesel asthma case
In an historic verdict against Norfolk Southern, a jury in Toledo, Ohio, handed down an award to a locomotive engineer who developed a condition known as diesel asthma while working for the railroad.
Phyllis June Sytsma, 1922-2004
Phyllis Sytsma, the wife of former BLE International President John F. Sytsma, passed away on January 10, 2004. She fought Alzheimer’s disease for more than eight years.
Serious remote control mishap leads to safety resolution in Ky.
On January 13, the Greenup County Fiscal Court in Greenup, Ky., passed a resolution condemning remote control train operations after a CSX employee lost part of his leg in a remote control switching accident on December 15.
BLET Job Bank: Amtrak (Cal Train)
Amtrak is looking for three qualified Locomotive Passenger Engineers for their Cal Train commuter operation in Northern California (San Jose).
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO enacts remote control safety measure
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has enacted a safety resolution that seeks to prohibit the operation of remote control locomotives in the state until safety practices are improved.
2004 BLET timebooks available in January
Timebooks from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will be made available by request after the first of the year.
New Year message from President Hahs
BLE International President Don M. Hahs issued the following statement today.
