Rail Industry News
Hoffa: Proposed Hours of Service changes would put road safety at risk
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 14, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa about a notice of proposed rulemaking unveiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration...
Dow transport average struggles to keep pace, could be market warning sign
(Source: Reuters, August 14, 2019) NEW YORK — The Dow Jones Transportation Average is struggling to get into gear and that could be a sign the market is ready to stall further. The 20-component index of rail operators, airlines, truckers and package delivery stocks is...
States seek to overturn federal directive on freight train crew size
(Source: Freight Waves, August 14, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The states of Illinois, Nevada and Washington are among the latest states that have decided to fight a federal order that prevents states from passing laws that would require freight trains to have a train...
American Airlines demands mechanics’ unions pay for “enormous financial losses” from flight delays, cancellations
(Source: Dallas Morning News, August 13, 2019) DALLAS, Texas — Fresh off a federal court victory, American Airlines is demanding that the mechanics' unions pay for hundreds of flight delays and cancellations over the last two months. Full story: Dallas Morning News
NS picks lead engineering team for 75th Street Corridor project in Chicago
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 13, 2019) Norfolk Southern Railway has chosen Alfred Benesch & Co. and TranSystems to provide program management and track design services for one of four projects that are part of the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project...
Milwaukee-Chicago train service plans facing opposition from CP Rail
(Source: Wisbusiness, August 14, 2019) MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — Plans to expand Amtrak’s Milwaukee-to-Chicago train service are facing opposition from the freight railroad that owns the tracks. In a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Canadian Pacific...
MBTA plans to shut down sections of core rail lines on fall weekends for repairs
(Source: NBC Boston, August 12, 2019) BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will shut down segments of key lines during weekends this fall to repair the aging system, which has been under scrutiny following a series of derailments this summer, under...
Opinion: The future of passenger train travel is here with Virgin Trains USA
(Source: Forbes.com opinion column by Blake Morgan, August 14, 2019) ORLANDO, Fla. — Taking a relaxing trip by rail or hopping on a high-speed commuter train to the next city is common in Europe and Asia, but it’s a foreign idea for most Americans. Virgin Trains USA...
Despite sale approval, Blackjewel mines have yet to reopen
(Source: Casper Star Tribune, August 12, 2019) CASPER, Wyo. — Despite repeated promises made during bankruptcy proceedings last week, the sale of two Wyoming coal mines has yet to be finalized and hundreds of workers remain out of work. Full story: Casper Star...
Metro-North engineer in fatal 2013 Bronx derailment drops lawsuit
(Source: Journal News, August 13, 2019) NEW YORK — Former Metro-North Railroad engineer William Rockefeller has dropped his $10 million lawsuit against the commuter rail nearly three years after claiming the railroad’s failure to install a backup safety system was to...
Canada invests over $100 million in rail-related infrastructure projects
(Source: Freight Waves, August 13, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Federal agency Transport Canada and Minister of Transport Marc Garneau have made a string of rail-related infrastructure funding announcements in recent weeks. These announcements come as politicians gear...
Court rules for U.S. in fight over Nevada plutonium shipment
(Source: Associated Press, August 13, 2019) RENO, Nevada — A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled against Nevada in a battle with the U.S. government over its secret shipment of weapons-grade plutonium to a site near Las Vegas but the state’s attorney general says...
West Coast volumes poised to rip
(Source: Freight Waves, August 13, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — At the end of July FreightWaves asked a question that seemed almost counter-intuitive at the time – is the freight market starting to recover? When trucking carriers are shutting down at the highest rate in...
Crews dismantle Rio Grande Depot’s neon sign, a Salt Lake City landmark for decades
(Source: Salt Lake Tribune, August 12, 2019) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A landmark that welcomed rail travelers to Salt Lake City for decades came down Monday to make room for a renovated new sign. Full story: Salt Lake Tribune
How Caltrain tries to prevent fatalities
(Source: The Daily Journal, August 12, 2019) SAN MATEO, Calif. — Caltrain officials say separating train tracks from roads, commonly known as grade separations, is the most effective way to prevent people from getting struck and killed by locomotives. Full story: The...
BNSF freight train derails, spills diesel north of Madras, Ore.
(Source: Television station KTVZ, August 12, 2019) MADRAS, Ore. — An 80-car freight train struck two large boulders that fell onto the BNSF Railway tracks in a remote area about 20 miles north of Madras early Monday, causing five locomotives and a rail car to derail,...
Delegates elect new officers at SMART TD convention
(Source: Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Transportation Division press release, August 11, 2019) LAS VEGAS – SMART GEC Member and Transportation Division (TD) Vice President Jeremy R. Ferguson of Local 313 (Grand Rapids, Mich.) was elected President...
Rail service reliability issues, trade uncertainty could help push U.S. rail volumes lower
(Source: Freight Waves, August 12, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Trade concerns and shippers’ lingering doubts about rail service are factors that could contribute to a continued softening of U.S. rail carload volumes in the second half of the year despite some factors...
Discovery set to air never-before-seen footage of George H.W. Bush funeral train
(Source: Houston Chronicle, August 9, 2019) HOUSTON, Texas — Discovery is set to air "Uniting America: The President's Final Journey," featuring never-before-seen footage and behind the scenes moments with the Union Pacific employees who were instrumental in executing...
Amtrak considers extending Wolverine line from Chicago to Toronto
(Source: www.woodtv.com, August 9, 2019) EAST LANSING, Mich. — Amtrak is considering a proposal that would extend the Wolverine line’s rail service from Chicago to Toronto. Full story: www.woodtv.com
BLET News
North Dakota AFL-CIO adopts remote control safety resolution
The North Dakota AFL-CIO adopted a remote control safety resolution on September 26, joining six other AFL-CIO State Federations in calling for improved safety of remote control locomotives.
Remote control update
U.S. District Judge Joan B. Gottschall issued an order on September 16 that dissolves the January 16, 2002, preliminary injunction against the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers regarding the remote control issue.
68th SWCM kicks off in Branson, Mo.
National wage/rule negotiations was the number one item on the agenda at the 68th Southwestern Convention (SWCM) that kicked off in Branson, Mo., on September 28.
Town Hall Meeting set for Las Vegas
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold a Town Hall Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev., next week regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
BLE Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., is recruiting Locomotive Engineers to work out of Washington, D.C.
BLE-IBT questions and answers available
In accordance with Section 1(e) of the BLE Constitution & Bylaws, the agreed-upon answers to questions regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are now available on the BLE website.
Town Hall Meetings set for Nashville
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold two Town Hall Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., next month regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Transportation Labor: House votes to take Amtrak to brink of shutdown
If a recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives is allowed to stand, Amtrak would once again be brought to be the brink of a national shutdown, this according to the leaders of 35 AFL-CIO transportation unions.
Former General Chairman Charlie McDaniel dies
Charles A. “Charlie” McDaniel Jr., 75, of Amarillo died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. He was a well-known and highly respected member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Town Hall Meetings set for Alabama, Tennessee
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold four Town Hall Meetings in Birmingham, Ala., and Memphis, Tenn., next month regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
