Rail Industry News
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...
Senate committee to hold hearing on PTC
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 30, 2019) The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will hold a hearing tomorrow on Capitol Hill to consider the next steps for positive train control(PTC) implementation. The hearing will focus on PTC...
FRA’s Alexy named chief safety officer
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 30, 2019) Karl Alexy has been named associate administrator for railroad safety and chief safety officer for the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Office of Railroad Safety. Alexy succeeds Robert Lauby, who retired from the...
Union Pacific subcontractors spark fire, more than 100 railroad ties go up in flames near Sacramento
(Source: CBS Sacramento, July 29, 2019) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Suisun firefighters battled a large vegetation fire east of Cordelia Road and Pennsylvania Monday evening. Firefighters found over 100 individual railroad ties on fire just before 6:30 p.m. Officials said...
Another NS train derails at Horseshoe Curve
(Source: Altoona Mirror, July 27, 2019) ALTOONA, Pa. — Another Norfolk Southern freight train derailed as it traveled around the Horseshoe Curve about 4:10 p.m. Friday. The derailment, six cars by the estimate of onlookers, a number later confirmed by Norfolk Southern...
Freight trains to blame for unpredictable delays on MARC, VRE
(Source: WTOP, July 29, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Delays along tracks frequented by freight carrier CSX have worsened D.C. area rail commutes and led to an overall decrease in ridership, the Maryland Area Regional Commuter and Virginia Railway Express services say....
Union Station has serious security vulnerabilities, Amtrak Inspector General says
(Source: Dcist, July 29, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington’s Union Station and the Ivy City Yard maintenance facility continue to have serious security gaps that make them vulnerable to trespassers and potential safety problems, according to a report from Amtrak’s...
BLET News
In the Line of Duty
BLE member Art P. McKay and conductor Ken LeQuesne were killed in the line of duty on May 14 as a railroad trestle collapsed under their Canadian National freight train. Two locomotives and six cars plunged into a ravine and caught fire.
Stop budget disaster
The AFL-CIO is urging members and their families to contact their Senators and speak out against the Bush Administration’s tax cut.
Text of House bill honoring BLE now available
On May 8, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced House Resolution 226 in the U.S. House of Representatives honoring the BLE’s 140th anniversary.
Ninth U.S. county passes remote control resolution
Contra Costa County, Calif., is the ninth county in the United States to pass a resolution regarding remote control locomotives.
Eighth U.S. county passes remote control resolution
On April 24, Erie County, Ohio, became the third Ohio County and 8th U.S. county to pass a resolution calling for improved safety of remote control locomotives.
Congress honors BLE on anniversary
Resolutions have been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in honor of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ 140th anniversary.
In The Line of Duty
BLE member L.W. “Wayne” Edenfield died this afternoon from injuries sustained in yesterday’s Amtrak collision with a log truck near Hinesville, Ga.
Marshall, Mich. celebrates Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Week
In honor of the BLE’s 140th anniversary, the City of Marshall, Mich., has declared May 4-10 “Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Week.”
BLE files for mediation in national contract talks
Declaring an impasse in contract negotiations with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers yesterday requested the services of the National Mediation Board (NMB) to help resolve the long-running dispute.
BLE member donates WWII artifact to International Division
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers today received an historic World War II artifact of permanent loan. The artifact — the bottom portion of the USS Arizona Memorial flag pole — was presented to the BLE by retired Division 3 (Cleveland) member Bob Manzetti. BLE International President Don M. Hahs accepted the historic artifact on behalf of all BLE members.
