Rail Industry News
RRB appoints Director of Programs
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, August 5, 2019) CHICAGO — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has named Crystal Coleman as its Director of Programs. As a result, Ms. Coleman will be responsible for overseeing all operations to process and pay...
Remembering the Hoosier State (1980-2019)
(Source: Railway Age column by David Peter Alan, August 8, 2019) NEW YORK — Amtrak’s Hoosier State train, Nos. 850 and 851, died on Sunday, June 30 at Indianapolis, after a long illness. She was 38. The immediate cause of death was removal from life support by Indiana...
First responders delayed after train blocks intersection in east Houston
(Source: Television station ABC 13, August 9, 2019) HOUSTON, Texas — Jose Carpio was working on his 2014 gray Ford Mustang when it fell onto his face and chest and pinned him from the waist up. His mother and girlfriend called 911, but as the ambulance arrived on June...
CSX employee falls down 40-foot ravine near 15-car derailment in Parke County, Indiana
(Source: Television station WTHI, August 8, 2019) PARKE COUNTY, Ind. — A train derailment investigation is underway in Parke County. CSX says it happened around 5:00 on Thursday afternoon. According to CSX 15 railcars containing Coke derailed near the U.S. 41 overpass...
Genesee & Wyoming’s Q2 2019 operating income falls on declining revenues
(Source: Freight Waves, August 7, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Shortline operator Genesee and Wyoming reported an 8.7 percent decline in operating income in the second quarter of 2019 amid year-over-year declines in freight revenue from its Australian and European...
Gov. Murphy defends big raises for NJ Transit executives
(Source: www.nj.com, August 8, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday defended big raises some NJ Transit executives recently received as complaints from riders on delayed buses and trains continue to pile up. Full story: www.nj.com
CN, CSX ink deal to better serve northeast U.S., Canada
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, August 8, 2019) NEW YORK — Canadian Northern (CN) and CSX will join together and serve more of the northeast starting Oct. 7. The two Class 1s announced a new intermodal service offering between CN’s greater Montreal & Southern...
AAR reports rail traffic declines in July 2019 as well as week ending August 3
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, August 7, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 3, 2019, as well as volumes for July 2019. U.S. railroads originated...
RRB Q&A: Reporting events that can affect retirement benefits
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, June 19, 2019) CHICAGO — Rights to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act also carry responsibilities for reporting events that may affect the payment of these benefits to the employee or to members of the...
Amtrak hungers for an upscale food hall at Chicago Union Station
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, August 6, 2019) CHICAGO — Amtrak, as part of its ongoing renovations at Union Station, is climbing aboard the food hall express. The railroad wants to add a “bespoke” food hall to the downtown station, which it owns. It is seeking operators...
BNSF investigating report of petroleum sheen on Montana river
(Source: Whitefish Pilot, August 6, 2019) WHITEFISH, Mont. — BNSF Railway Co. will be working in the Whitefish River today following a report of a petroleum sheen in the river. The company is investigating a complaint of a petroleum sheen received by the Montana...
Proposed ban on buying Chinese buses, rail cars could curtail job growth at Chicago-area factory
(Source: Chicago Tribune, August 6, 2019) CHICAGO — A proposal to bar transit agencies from using federal money to buy Chinese buses and rail cars could stunt expansion at a Far Southeast Side factory that hopes to become a supplier for rail projects around the...
OKC-to-Tulsa passenger rail service falls through
(Source: The Oklahoman, August 6, 2019) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Hopes for passenger rail service linking the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas suffered a major setback Monday. Stillwater Central Railroad failed to meet an Aug. 4 deadline for establishing a six-month pilot...
30 years after major diesel spill into Whitefish Lake
(Source: Flathead Beacon, August 7, 2019) WHITEFISH, Mont. — Charlie Abell has spent nearly all of his 80 years living along the shores of Whitefish Lake. From Abell’s living room, he can watch trains zip across the causeway at Mackinaw Bay, the very spot 30 years ago...
NJ Transit withholds PTC project costs, citing “trade secret”
(Source: Bloomberg, August 5, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Transit is withholding the growing cost of one of its biggest-ever capital projects, an emergency rail-braking system ordered by Congress. In 2017, the so-called positive train control system had a cost of...
BNSF releases Q2 2019 financial results
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, August 6, 2019) NEW YORK — BNSF has announced Q2 2019 financial results in early August, which included the following highlights: • Total revenues were $5.89 billion, compared to Q2 2018 revenues of $5.88 billion, essentially flat;...
BNSF ticketed for blocking intersections in 2 Oklahoma cities
(Source: Television station News 9, August 5, 2019) EDMOND, Okla. — A new law that allows local law enforcement to write tickets to trains that block intersections for too long went into effect July 1. And now, police have started writing tickets. In Edmond, the sound...
2 bodies found in train car carrying steel from Mexico to southern Iowa
(Source: Des Moines Register, August 5, 2019) DES MOINES, Iowa — Two bodies have been discovered in a railroad car that was shipping steel from Mexico to southern Iowa, authorities said. The cars, bound for Centerville, were dropped off Thursday in Albia by Burlington...
Commuter rail coalition testifies before Congress
(Source: Railway Age, August 5, 2019) NEW YORK — Commuter Rail Coalition chair and Metra CEO Jim Derwinski recently testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, where he requested a new grant program specifically for commuter railroads that are struggling to meet...
Opinion: Deciphering the Amtrak puzzle
(Source: Railway Age opinion column by Andrew Selden, August 5, 2019) NEW YORK — CEO Richard Anderson’s announced strategy to reposition Amtrak’s train operations is a puzzle. It appears incapable of working. He proposes to end most long-distance services in favor of...
BLET News
Sparks, Nev., becomes 30th community to pass resolution questioning remote control safety
Despite heavy oppposition from Union Pacific Railroad, the city of Sparks, Nev., on June 9, became the 30th U.S. community to approve a resolution questioning the safety of remote control locomotives.
BLE-RCTC members on strike
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer Rail Canada Traffic Controllers employed by Canadian Pacific went on strike at midnight last night.
IBT-BLE Rail Conference would benefit all railroaders
A united Rail Conference under the umbrella of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), which will negotiate stronger contracts for all rail workers, is the ultimate goal of the BLE’s proposed merger with the IBT.
76th annual SMA convenes in Tennessee
More than 250 BLE members gathered here this morning for opening ceremonies at the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ 76th annual Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA).
Flint, Mich., becomes 20th city to pass remote control safety resolution
On June 9, Flint, Mich., became the 20th U.S. city to pass a remote control safety resolution.
Former Vice-President DeBolt passes away
Former BLE International Vice-President George DeBolt passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, June 10. Brother DeBolt, a member of BLE Division 682 (Hammond, Ind.), served as an International Vice-President from 1986-1996.
Woodhaven, Mich., questions remote safety
The city of Woodhaven, Mich., joins its neighbor, Flat Rock, and 17 other cities in questioning the unbridled use of remote control.
RCTC negotiations stall on Canadian Pacific
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Rail Canada Traffic Controllers may soon be walking a picket-line. If a settlement is not reached, a strike or lockout could occur on the Canadian Pacific Railway as early as June 18.
Keegel: BLE members would benefit by merging with IBT
BLE members would benefit from one of North America’s largest political action funds and organizing budgets if they decide to merge with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).
Hahs talks Teamsters at IWC opening ceremony
More than 200 BLE members and their families gathered here this morning and heard opening remarks by BLE International President Don Hahs at the 63rd annual International Western Convention.
