Rail Industry News
Analysis: A narrowing Brent/WTI spread could spell doom for crude by rail
(Source: Freight Waves, August 17, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Markets in just the past few days have sent a strong signal that moving crude oil by rail may be past a point of no return. When crude oil by rail began roughly 10 years ago, it was somewhat stunning....
Oilsand firms considering diluent recovery units to boost crude by rail volumes
(Source: Canadian Press, August 16, 2019) CALGARY — Ongoing pipeline project delays and growth in crude-by-rail capacity from Western Canada are leading some oilsands producers to consider spending billions of dollars to build diluent recovery units. Full story:...
State to hold hearing on rail passenger and freight service in Western Pa.
(Source: Tribune-Review, August 18, 2019) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Riders of Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian train between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg have long been limited to one morning and one evening train, but a state hearing in Altoona on Aug. 28 is expected to explore the...
No indictment for Union Pacific railroad officer in shooting
(Source: Associated Press, August 16, 2019) MASON CITY, Iowa — A grand jury has found no criminal wrongdoing by a Union Pacific railroad officer for the November shooting of a Mason City man. Full story: Washington Times
About 140 rail cars on two trains derailed as storm brought strong winds to Kansas
(Source: Wichita Eagle, August 18, 2019) WICHITA, Kan. — Two BNSF trains derailed in a Harvey County town late Saturday night as a storm brought strong winds to central Kansas. The two trains derailed near Walton, with about 90 rail cars derailed on one train and...
U.S. intermodal sector loses market share for fourth consecutive quarter
(Source: The Loadstar, August 16, 2019) LONDON — The US economy is showing signs of slowing, but remains on an upward trajectory for now – intermodal traffic, however, appears trapped in a downward spiral, with the coming peak season expected to provide only temporary...
FRA makes $244 million available for capital rail projects
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, August 14, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Consolidated Rail...
Hemphill heading Uinta Basin Railway project
(Source: Railway Age, August 15, 2019) NEW YORK — Rio Grande Pacific Corp. has named rail industry veteran Mark Hemphill to lead development and construction of the Uinta Basin Railway project, a $1.5 billion new-build that, when completed in late 2022 or early 2023,...
Court rules BNSF not liable for fatal accident
(Source: www.lawyers.com, August 15, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In January 2015, an Illinois man that worked for BNSF Railway Company lost his life while driving to work in a snowstorm when his vehicle slid into a snowplow. The man was told to report to work to help...
Marcus King appointed to lead Teamsters Human Rights and Diversity Commission
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 15, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marcus W. King, President of New Jersey’s Teamsters Local 331, has been appointed as the Director of the Teamsters Human Rights and Diversity Commission. “I am pleased...
Teamsters National Black Caucus 44th annual Educational Conference convenes in Louisville
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 15, 2019) LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Today the 44th Annual Teamsters National Black Caucus Conference began in Louisville, Kentucky. This year’s theme was straightforward: “A New Time, A New Vision.” Mac...
International competition and trade uncertainty weigh on U.S. rail volumes for grain
(Source: Freight Waves, August 15, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — While trade uncertainty is a dominant theme in the rail demand outlook for moving grain this fall, other factors such as global market competition come into play when considering how much grain volume could...
North American rail volumes continue downward trend
(Source: Freight Waves, August 15, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — North American year-to-date rail volumes drafted lower again for the week ending August 14, according to the Association of American Railroads. Rail traffic slumped in the U.S. and Mexico but rose in Canada...
CN employee dies after rail car derails
(Source: Canadian Press, August 15, 2019) VAUGHAN, Ontario — Police say a Canadian National Railway employee has died after a rail car derailed in Vaughan. York Regional Police say they were called to the scene of what they described as an industrial accident around 2...
AAR: Rail traffic drops for week ending August 10, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, August 14, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 10, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 533,190...
NS names Sutherland, Farrell to new executive positions
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, August 14, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern announced today that its board of directors has approved new responsibilities for Vanessa Allen Sutherland and Michael Farrell, effective Aug. 16: Michael Farrell is senior vice...
Norfolk Southern bridge will no longer be choke point in Findlay, Ohio
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, August 14, 2019) NEW YORK — Now that the widening of the riverbank along the Blanchard River in Findlay, Ohio, is complete, it’s time to add some height to the focus. Officials will decide whether to replace or modify the Norfolk...
Choice Terminal bulk transfer facility opens on Genesee & Wyomings Georgia Southwestern Railroad
(Source: Genesee & Wyoming press release, August 13, 2019) BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) today announced the opening of a Choice Terminal™ bulk transfer facility on its Georgia Southwestern Railroad, Inc. (GSWR) subsidiary in Bainbridge. Operated by...
California high-speed rail finishing designs on alignment into San Francisco
(Source: Streetsblog San Francisco, August 13, 2019) SAN FRANCISCO — Should the maintenance yard be on the east or west side of the mainline in Brisbane and is there a need for additional passing tracks between San Mateo and Redwood City? These are two of the last few...
Analysis: Why rail traffic volumes have been so weak
(Source: Progressive Railroading analysis by Tony Hatch, August 15, 2019) Freight-rail traffic volumes have been shockingly weak. Why? Here are six basic reasons. Full story: Progressive Railroading
BLET News
Clinton County, Iowa passes remote safety resolution
Clinton County, Iowa has become the 11th county to enact a remote control safety resolution in recent months. The resolution was passed on October 6, 2003.
BLE-IBT Town Hall meetings set for U.S. West, North
The BLE will hold a series of Town Hall Meetings in the Northern and Western U.S. during October and November regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
BLE-IBT Town Hall meetings set for U.S. Southwest
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold a series of Town Hall Meetings in the Southwestern U.S. during November regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
BLE reaches tentative national contract
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has reached a tentative agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee, BLE International President Don M. Hahs announced today.
Meany Center launches new hazardous materials website
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program has launched a new website dedicated to rail workers and rail hazmat issues. The website provides rail workers with a web-based learning community and the opportunity to increase overall awareness and knowledge of hazardous materials in transportation. The address is: http://www.hazmatgmc.org.
County AFL-CIO enacts remote control safety resolution
The AFL-CIO in Harris County, Texas, adopted a remote control safety resolution at its monthly meeting on September 24.
New York Town Hall update
Due to various scheduling conflicts, the times have been changed for the October 13 Town Hall Meeting in Babylon, N.Y.
Nebraska AFL-CIO urges remote control safety
At its 35th state convention, the Nebraska State AFL-CIO passed a remote control safety resolution on September 27.
IBT/BLE chalks up another shortline organizing win
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters/Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Rail Operating Employees’ Council (IBT/BLE) scored a shortline organizing victory yesterday after workers at the previously non-union Great Western Railway of Colorado selected IBT/BLE as their designated collective bargaining representative.
BLE sets Town Hall Meetings in NY, Philly, Chicago
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold a series of Town Hall Meetings on the East Coast and in Chicago from October 13 to October 17 regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
