Rail Industry News
Senate witnesses: PTC still faces hurdles
(Source: Freight Waves, August 1, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Passenger and freight railroads are scrambling to meet a December 31, 2020 deadline to fully implement positive train control (PTC) technology on their locomotives and their networks, but software challenges...
Why BNSF is bucking the PSR trend and adding logistics centers
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, August 1, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In contrast to the majority of Class I railroads shedding lines and closing yards under the precision-scheduled railroading (PSR) philosophy, BNSF is adding logistics centers to serve customers in...
BNSF aims to sustain its profit streak as rivals grow wary
(Source: Bloomberg, August 1, 2019) NEW YORK — Warren Buffett’s purchase of BNSF Railway Co. was an “all-in” wager on the U.S. economy that has reaped rewards for his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Now, it’s the economy that is tempering expectations for the business....
AAR reports rail traffic decline for week ending July 27, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 31, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 27, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 534,498...
BNSF cited by Oklahoma police for blocked crossings
(Source: The Oklahoman, August 1, 2019) EDMOND, Okla. — The Oklahoma Corporation Commission announced Wednesday it has set a hearing before an administrative law judge on two citations a local law agency issued to BNSF Railway that accuses the railroad of blocking a...
Bombardier posts loss, lowers 2019 profit forecast as rail woes persist
(Source: Reuters, August 1, 2019) NEW YORK — Bombardier Inc. on Thursday lowered its full-year core earnings and free cash flow forecasts, and reported a quarterly loss, as the Canadian plane and train maker wrestles with challenges in its important rail division....
Wabtec’s results soar in Q2 2019, driven by merger with GE Transportation
(Source: Motley Fool, July 30, 2019) NEW YORK — During the second quarter, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies, or Wabtec, benefited from a full quarter of its acquisition of GE's former transportation division. That transaction paid immediate dividends by driving a...
KCS Director sells $312,600 in company stock
(Source: Slater Sentinel, July 31, 2019) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern Director Robert J. Druten sold 2,500 shares of Kansas City Southern stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.04, for a total value of...
After all-time record year, CN prepared to move 2019-2020 grain crop
(Source: CN press release, August 1, 2019) MONTREAL — As part of its commitment to enable the growth of Canadian natural resources supply chains, CN is pleased to announce that it has published its 2019-2020 Grain Plan and that it has established a CN Agricultural...
Increasing oil by rail shipments prompts safety fears
(Source: Global News, July 31, 2019) CALGARY — After a brief slowdown earlier this year, trains are once again carrying skyrocketing amounts of oil across the country. According to data from the National Energy Board, more than 8.8 million barrels of crude were moved...
CSX reaches agreement with Kentucky miners to move locomotive
(Source: Television station WYMT, July 31, 2019) HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. — A CSX train engine stuck for nearly 48 hours is now on the move. The protesting miners came to an agreement with CSX officials to move the locomotive but leave the train cars loaded with coal. Also,...
PTC not getting implemented fast enough, Senator Cantwell warns
(Source: KOMO News, July 31, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Positive Train Control (PTC) is on track for implementation on railroads around the country, but it's not fast enough, according to Sen. Maria Cantwell. Cantwell made the comments while attending a hearing...
FRA tells Senate that PTC installation is 90% complete
(Source: Associated Press, July 31, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The railroad industry has installed safety technology on nearly 90% of tracks where it is required, federal officials said Wednesday, but "significant work" is needed to ensure the technology is completely...
UP’s Big Boy rules the rails once again
(Source: www.qconline.com, July 31, 2019) CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Union Pacific Railroad's freshly restored "Big Boy" No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, has created memorable moments for generations of train fans over the past few weeks. Full...
NS Director Scanlon buys 525 shares of company stock
(Source: Mayfield Recorder, July 31, 2019) NEW YORK — Norfolk Southern Corp. Director Jennifer F. Scanlon bought 525 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29. The shares were acquired at an average price of $191.52 per share, for a total...
KCS Director Cordova sells 1,000 shares of company stock
(Source: Riverton Roll, July 31, 2019) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern Director Lu M. Cordova sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.50, for a total value of $124,500.00. Following...
Amtrak IG details Union Station security deficiencies
(Source: Roll Call, July 30, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Security shortcomings at Amtrak’s second busiest station, Washington Union Station, have allowed an unauthorized car to drive onto the tracks and continue to leave the transportation hub and its patrons at risk,...
With $125 million from federal government, Maryland to seek more money from CSX and others for Howard Street Tunnel
(Source: Baltimore Sun, July 31, 2019) BALTIMORE, Md. — When the Howard Street Tunnel opened in 1895, the 1.4-mile bore under downtown Baltimore was a modern marvel. Iron-arched and lined with bricks, it used electricity to light the tunnel and power the Baltimore &...
Watco to close Wood River Dome, eliminate 88 jobs
(Source: The Telegraph, July 30, 2019) WOOD RIVER — A long-standing Wood River landmark will be closing in September. Watco Co. LLC officials on Tuesday confirmed the company will be closing its Wood River facility commonly known as the “Wood River Dome.” Local...
Frustrated Kentucky miners block coal train over bounced Blackjewel paychecks
(Source: Lexington Herald-Leader, July 31, 2019) CUMBERLAND, Ky. — Miners frustrated over not being paid by a bankrupt coal company blocked a train moving coal from a mine in Harlan County on Monday and continued their protest into Tuesday. Miners and family members...
BLET News
Texas AFL-CIO calls for increased remote safety
The Texas AFL-CIO has become the second state AFL-CIO affiliate, joining the Arizona AFL-CIO, to support the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ position on the issue of remote control.
33rd community adopts remote control safety resolution
On July 23, the city of Montebello, Calif., became the 33rd U.S. community to enact a remote control safety resolution.
BLE scores another shortline organizing victory
Persistence paid off again as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers scored another shortline organizing victory, this time on the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad (SL&A).
BLE, IBT informational meeting set
Members of BLE Division 95 in Cincinnati are sponsoring an informational open house regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on August 11-13.
BLE, Springfield Terminal reach agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Springfield Terminal Railway reached a new five-year contract agreement in May, which provides for improved health care provisions and a 15 percent pay increase over the life of the deal.
Striking rail traffic controllers reach tentative pact with CP Rail
After more than six weeks on strike, BLE-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers members on Canadian Pacific Railway reached a tentative settlement with the carrier on July 31. The strike will end immediately if the memorandum of settlement is ratified.
Clinton, Iowa, adopts remote safety resolution
The Clinton, Iowa, City Council adopted a remote control safety resolution on July 22, joining a list of 31 other communities in calling for improved safety of remote control train operations.
Remember recent UTU history
As the United Transportation Union spreads campaign promises regarding craft autonomy in its raid of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in Canada, the BLE reminds its members not to forget recent actions by the UTU to combine operating crafts in the United States.
BLE-IBT merger documents online
Documents governing the proposed BLE-Teamsters merger are now available in the members area of the BLE website, in line with Section 1(e)(2) of the BLE Constitution & Bylaws.
Commerce, Calif., enacts remote control safety resolution
The City Council of Commerce, Calif., voted last night to adopt a remote control safety resolution, becoming the 31st U.S. community to pass such a measure.
