Rail Industry News
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
Stopped trains in Muncie: Frustrations mount, but answers are few
(Source: Muncie Star Press, August 29, 2019) MUNCIE, Ind. — Stopping for trains is not new in Muncie, with railroad crossings on McGalliard, Tillotson, Batavia, Walnut and more, criss-crossing the city. But lengthy delays, with long trains that are sometimes moving...
Social media erupts over stopped trains in Muncie, Ind.
(Source: Muncie Star Press, August 29, 2019) MUNCIE, Ind. — Social media has become the venting ground for local commuters annoyed by trains that are blocking major roads across the city on a regular basis. While almost everyone knows that trains crisscross Muncie...
DOT announces grant to support Gulf Coast passenger rail project
(Source: Associated Press, August 29, 2019) BILOXI, Miss. — Federal funding has been awarded to Mississippi to support the return of passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, the secretary of U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday....
California high-speed rail celebrates creating 3,000 construction jobs
(Source: California High-Speed Rail Authority press release, August 28, 2019) FRESNO, Calif. — The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has reached another historic milestone coinciding with the 125th anniversary of Labor Day - the creation of more than...
Families of veterans involved in 2012 Midland train crash ask U.S. Supreme Court to hear case
(Source: Press release from Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP, August 29, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The families of three American war heroes who died at a railroad crossing in Midland, Texas, in 2012 are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review their legal case, arguing...
CSX sells Massena rail line to CN; 60 workers affected
(Source: Television station WWNY, August 29, 2019) WATERTOWN, N.Y. — An estimated 60 CSX employees will be affected by the sale of train tracks known as the Massena rail line, which runs through Quebec and New York. Canadian National Railway Company purchased 220...
AAR reports rail traffic decline for week ending August 24, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, August 28, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 24, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 532,483...
Amtrak’s new Valley Flyer service starts Friday
(Source: www.boston.com, August 28, 2019) BOSTON, Mass. — A new daily Amtrak train service between Greenfield, Mass., and New Haven, Conn., begins this week. The Valley Flyer, the result of a partnership between Amtrak and the Massachusetts Department of...
Blackjewel says sale of Wyoming mines is “dead,” according to creditor
(Source: Casper Star Tribune, August 27, 2019) CASPER, Wyo. — Bankrupt coal operator Blackjewel called the sale of its two idling Wyoming coal mines “dead,” according to a statement made by a key creditor in court documents Tuesday. Full story: Casper Star...
Army officers honored for helping during deadly DuPont train crash
(Source: Television station KIRO, August 26, 2019) SEATTLE, Wash. — When a speeding Amtrak train plunged off an overpass onto Interstate 5, three Joint-Base Lewis McChord officers rushed to help. Today, two of them received one of the Army's highest honors. Full...
Hearing scheduled for Oklahoma’s new train law
(Source: Television station KFOR, August 28, 2019) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Officials say a hearing is scheduled to take place regarding Oklahoma’s new train law. The BNSF Railway Company filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday challenging the new ‘Oklahoma Blocked...
Missouri kids getting home late due to train on the tracks blocking bus
(Source: Television station KFVS, August 28, 2019) ESSEX, Mo. — It’s a situation that would send any parent into a panic, kids more than hour late getting home from school because of a train blocking a railroad crossing. Now, the school superintendent is calling for...
In Texas, BNSF workers donate used work boots to needy
(Source: Temple Daily Telegram, August 25, 2019) TEMPLE, Texas — Something as simple as a pair of secondhand steel-toe boots can mean the world to an individual who has been out of work for a while. The Temple Daily Telegram reports many industries require that their...
First look: See inside Amtrak’s new Acela trains
(Source: USA Today, August 29, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak revealed the interior of its new high-speed Acela trainsets, set to enter service in 2021. The 378-seat trains will have personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat; food...
BLET News
BLE, GTW reach tentative agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has reached a tentative contract agreement for locomotive engineers on CN’s Grand Trunk Western lines.
Thanksgiving statement from BLE International President Don M. Hahs
The following is a statement from BLE International President Don M. Hahs on the Thanksgiving holiday.
BLE Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., is recruiting Locomotive Engineers to work out of the following locations: Jacksonville, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Lorton, V.A.
UTU guilty of raiding BLE on CP Railway
An Impartial Umpire with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) ruled that the United Transportation Union was guilty of raiding BLE members in July when it encouraged BLE members to sign UTU membership cards at the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Questions and Answers now on website
The list of agreed-to Questions and Answers regarding the BLE’s tentative national contract is now available on the BLE website.
43rd U.S. community passes remote control safety resolution
The city of Berwyn, Ill., recently passed a remote control safety resolution. Berwyn joins 42 other communities in passing remote control resolutions.
IBT/IBLE scores another organizing win over UTU
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters/International Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Rail Operating Employees Council (IBT/IBLE) scored another victory as it successfully organized employees at the New York & Atlantic Railway.
Georgia AFL-CIO passes remote control safety resolution
In late October, the Georgia State AFL-CIO unanimously passed a remote control safety resolution, becoming the 10th AFL-CIO State Federation to enact such a measure.
Irvington, Ill., enacts remote control safety resolution
The Village of Irvington, Ill. joined 41 other U.S. communities when it recently enacted a remote control safety resolution.
Two Mich. communities pass remote control safety resolutions
Two more communities in the state of Michigan have passed remote control safety resolutions. Melvindale and Redford Township joined 39 other communities in questioning the safety of remote control operations.
