Rail Industry News
Opinion: Trust the people, not the powers that be, on the question of rail safety
(Source: Opinion column by Jason Doering in the Nevada Independent, August 31, 2019. BLET Editor’s Note: Jason Doering is the Nevada State Legislative Director for SMART Transportation Division.) LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Advocates for rail safety in Nevada achieved a great...
NS furloughs more than 50 at Conway Yard in Beaver County, Pa.
(Source: Times Online, September 3, 2019) CONWAY, Pa. — More than 50 Norfolk Southern Railway employees in Beaver County were furloughed Tuesday as the company continues to restructure resources and combat industry changes. Norfolk Southern Vice President of...
Norfolk Southern cuts 100 jobs at Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pa.
(Source: Altoona Mirror, September 4, 2019) ALTOONA, Pa. — Norfolk Southern on Tuesday announced the layoff of about 100 employees at the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona. In May, Norfolk Southern laid off 50 workers in Juniata as a result of the implementation of...
NS confirms 130 furloughs in Roanoke, Va.
(Source: Roanoke Times, September 3, 2019) ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. furloughed about 130 locomotive shop employees in Roanoke on Tuesday. About 83 workers lost their jobs at Shaffer’s Crossing and 47 to 50 at the East End Shops, said Shannon Spotswood, a...
LIRR crew commended for returning passenger’s case containing $9,000
(Source: NBC New York, September 3, 2019) LONG ISLAND, New York — Honesty is the best policy for an MTA conductor and crew working an LIRR train Thursday. The crew unexpectedly found themselves in the possession of $9,000 after a passenger on the 5:19 p.m. Atlantic...
LIRR will restore 14 rush hour trains following completion of Amtrak work
(Source: Queens Daily Eagle, August 29, 2019) QUEENS, N.Y. — More than a dozen Long Island Rail Road trains in Queens and Long Island that had been canceled or rerouted amid Amtrak track work will be restored to their normal service on Sept. 3. Full story: Queens...
18 injured when Amtrak train hits 18-wheeler in Liberty Co., Texas
(Source: Television station ABC 13, August 30, 2019) LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas — A train bound for New Orleans is moving again after it partially derailed in a crash with an 18-wheeler, injuring 18 people in Liberty County. Full story: www.abc13.com
DuPont train derailment victims take Amtrak to court
(Source: Television station Q13 Fox, September 2, 2019) DuPONT, Wash. — On Tuesday, Amtrak will face the first set of victims to take it to court in the deadly DuPont train derailment. Full story: www.q13fox.com
Editorial: Amtrak leadership wounds the Empire Builder yet again
(Source: Editorial in the National Parks Traveler, September 2, 2019) DENVER, Colo. — After the summer season in 2017, Amtrak leadership made the unilateral decision to cancel its support for the NPS guide service aboard the Empire Builder and all other long-distance...
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief lives to ride another day
(Source: Los Angeles Times, September 2, 2019) LOS ANGELES — The winds of politics have buffeted Amtrak for most of its 48 years. Like most rail passenger services worldwide, it requires government support to survive, let alone flourish. But for those who ride Amtrak...
Norfolk Southern planning another layoff
(Source: Altoona Mirror, September 3, 2019) ALTOONA, Pa. — Norfolk Southern is planning a second layoff in the last four months at its Juniata Locomotive shops. Pennsylvania Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) confirmed early this morning that he’s been informed that company...
High-speed California-to-Las Vegas train is a go
(Source: ABC News, August 29, 2019) LAS VEGAS — After a number of fits and starts, plans for a high-speed train connecting California and Las Vegas are back on track. The announcement was made at the Nevada Economic Development Conference on Tuesday. Full story: ABC...
Train operations in Central Florida stopped as Hurricane Dorian nears the coast
(Source: Television station Fox 35 Orlando, September 2, 2019) ORLANDO, Fla. — Train operations in Central Florida are closed until further notice as Hurricane Dorian nears the coast. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reported on Monday that all train...
NS increasing efficiency, but use of PSR leads to job cuts
(Source: Altoona Mirror, August 31, 2019) ALTOONA, Pa. — Within the past year, Norfolk Southern has been putting the principles of Precision Scheduled Railroading into practice to increase efficiency, add profits and satisfy shareholders. Full story: Altoona Mirror
RRB Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, July 15, 2019) CHICAGO — The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, which provides two kinds of benefits for qualified railroaders: unemployment benefits for those who...
Pa. rail advocates hope for more trains
(Source: Altoona Mirror, August 29, 2019) ALTOONA, Pa. — The passenger-rail news wasn’t good Wednesday, but a local representative remains hopeful. At a hearing of the State House Transportation Committee in Altoona, a PennDOT representative reported that a recently...
Can high-speed train firms soar amid Boeing’s woes?
(Source: www.ozy.com, August 26, 2019) NEW YORK — Rolando Balboa is a fencing coach from Brooklyn who travels frequently for his students’ competitions. But after booking an American Airlines flight earlier this year, he returned to his computer to make sure he wasn’t...
The Hudson tunnel project trims $1.4 billion with new financial plan
(Source: Mass Transit Magazine, August 26, 2019) NEW YORK — The project cost for the construction of a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River and the comprehensive rehabilitation of the existing 108-year-old tunnel will cost $1.4 billion less than previously...
Officials seek to improve Amtrak service in Oregon
(Source: Register-Guard, August 28, 2019) EUGENE, Ore. — For local government leaders, correcting inconsistent train service from Eugene to Portland — about 73% of those Amtrak Cascades trains run on time — will require improving privately owned tracks and making...
South Dakota selling its railroad lines
(Source: The Capital Journal, August 26, 2019) PIERRE, S.D. — During its August 21 meeting in Pierre, the South Dakota Railroad Board voted to proceed with Invitation for Proposals to purchase state-owned rail lines. Full story: www.capjournal.com
BLET News
President Hahs statement on Veterans Day 2003
The following is a statement from BLE International President Don Hahs.
NS, BLE reach agreement
Norfolk Southern Railway Co. and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) have reached a new agreement, with terms through 2009, that continues to link engineers’ compensation to Norfolk Southern’s corporate performance.
BLE Job Bank: Springfield Terminal
BLE General Chairman Mike Twombly reports that the Springfield Terminal Railway is looking to hire approximately six certified locomotive engineers.
BLE critical of Amtrak Board nominee
International President Don M. Hahs said today that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers is surprised over the United Transportation Union’s endorsement of Louis Thompson, a pro-privatization nominee to Amtrak’s Board of Directors.
BLE-IBT Town Hall meeting Wednesday in Salem, Va.
The BLE will hold a Town Hall Meeting on November 5 in Salem, Va., regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Fund set up to find missing BLE member, 4 others
Friends and family members of five Tucson men lost in the Gulf of California have set up a fund to help cover the costs of hiring charter planes to look for the men. Donations to the Fishermen Rescue Fund can be made at any Bank of America branch.
BLE, Tex-Mex sign landmark remote control agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has reached a landmark contract agreement with the Texas-Mexican Railway that allows for the safe implementation of remote control operations and provides major pay raises.
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO passes remote control safety resolution
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO has adopted a resolution calling for the State of Wisconsin and the Federal Railroad Administration to end the use of unregulated remote control locomotive operations within the state.
BLE-IBT Town Hall meeting set for Idaho
The BLE will hold a Town Hall Meeting in Nampa, Idaho, next month regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
President Hahs statement on national contract
A copy of the BLE’s tentative national contract with the National Carriers Conference Committee should be posted on the BLE website by the end of next week, BLE International President Don Hahs reported.
