Rail Industry News
NTSB: CSX at fault in fatal 2018 crash in Cayce, S.C.
(Source: Associated Press, July 23, 2019) COLUMBIA, S.C. — The NTSB on Tuesday put the main cause of the 2018 crash on CSX. They say the company didn’t have a proper safety plan for the signals being down on its track. The lack of a safety plan contributed to a wreck...
NS reports Q2 2019 results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 24, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported second-quarter financial results. Second-quarter net income was $722 million, up 2 percent year-over-year, a result of a 4 percent increase in income...
Blackjewel permit to remain in limbo as mines’ outlook worsens
(Source: WyoFile, July 16, 2019) LANDER, Wyo. — The Environmental Quality Council last week voted to delay a decision on who holds mining permits for the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines pending further clarity regarding Blackjewel’s chaotic bankruptcy. Full story:...
Wilkes-Barre wants study on restoring passenger rail service to Philadelphia
(Source: Philadelphia Tribune, July 18, 2019) PITTSTON TWP., Pa. — Wikes-Barre officials asked the Lackawanna/Luzerne Metropolitan Planning Organization this week to consider a feasibility study to restore intercity passenger rail service from Wilkes-Barre to...
Wisconsin DOT announces plans for increased Hiawatha service
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, July 18, 2019) NEW YORK — The popular Amtrak train Hiawatha, which runs between Milwaukee and Chicago, is slated for an increase in the frequency of service, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Full...
9th Circuit rejects Asarco’s cleanup claim against UP
(Source: Reuters, July 18, 2019) SAN FRANCISCO — Copper miner Asarco cannot recover part of its estimated $485 million in cleanup costs at a Superfund site in Idaho from Union Pacific Railroad because Asarco released its claims against the company in a previous...
Teamsters Canada’s Roland Hackl appointed Vice-Chair of CIRB
(Source: Teamsters Canada press release, July 18, 2019) LAVAL, Quebec — Brother Roland Hackl has been appointed a Vice-Chairperson of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for a five-year term. The appointment was effective as of July 2. Brother Hackl served...
Union Pacific sets operating ratio record despite lower quarterly volumes in Q2 2019
(Source: Freight Waves, July 18, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Union Pacific set an all-time record for its operating ratio in the second quarter despite lower freight volumes and a decline in freight revenue. The western U.S. railroad reported an operating ratio of 59.6...
UP confirms shutdown of Proviso yard hump; consolidation of other yards
(Source: Trains Magazine, July 18, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific confirmed today that it has shut down the hump at Proviso Yard in Chicago and curtailed operations at several other yards across its system as the railroad reduces the number of times cars are...
Union Pacific CEO: Trade tensions are definitely impacting business
(Source: Yahoo Finance, July 18, 2019) NEW YORK — The CEO of Union Pacific says the railroad business is feeling the heat from U.S. trade tensions. Despite trade headwinds and the lasting effects of extreme weather in the Midwest in the first half of 2019, Union...
Union Pacific cost cuts sheltered profit amid freight slowdown
(Source: Reuters, July 18, 2019) NEW YORK — Union Pacific Corp on Thursday reported a quarterly profit that beat Wall Street estimates, as the U.S. railroad operator cut costs and raised rates to overcome disruptions from record floods in the Midwest and ongoing...
UP earnings help put rail stocks back on track
(Source: Dow Jones, July 18, 2019) NEW YORK — Shares of U.S. railroad operators were on the mend Thursday following a better-than-expected earnings report from Union Pacific, easing investor fears over a trade-related slump among freight rail giants -- for now. Full...
Kansas City Southern reports Q2 2019 financial results
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release (PDF), July 19, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) reported record revenues of $714 million, an increase of 5% from second quarter 2018. Overall, carload volumes were flat compared to prior year. Second...
AAR: Rail traffic down again for week ending July 13, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 17, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 13, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,908...
United Auto Workers open tense labor talks with Ford, GM, Fiat, Chrysler
(Source: CNBC, July 15, 2019) DEARBORN, Mich. — Billions of dollars in investments and the viability of the U.S. auto industry are on the line this year as the Big Three Detroit automakers kick off negotiations with the United Auto Workers union with a ceremonial...
Class-action lawsuit targets Blackjewel LLC
(Source: Gillette News Record, July 9, 2019) GILLETTE, Wyo. — A Gillette employee of Blackjewel LLC has filed a class-action lawsuit against the coal mining company, claiming it failed to give its 1,700 employees proper notice or pay wages and other benefits earned...
South Carolina ports tapping rail and inland hubs more in 2019
(Source: Freight Waves, July 18, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The South Carolina Port Authority (SCPA) said ocean container moves were up 9 percent in its fiscal year, setting a volume record for the port. The Port of Charleston’s two main container terminals, Wando...
North Dakota files petition to block Washington state from restricting oil train shipments
(Source: Freight Waves, July 17, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — North Dakota filed a petition on the afternoon of July 17 asking the federal government to block the state of Washington from enforcing a law that would restrict crude oil-by-rail shipments that pass through...
Wall Street stocks fall as CSX results signal damage from trade tensions
(Source: Reuters, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — U.S. stock indexes fell on Wednesday as weak results from CSX Corp. stoked concerns that the protracted trade war between the United States and China could hurt corporate earnings. CSX shares tumbled 10.3%, their biggest...
CP Rail rakes in record revenue as traffic increases during Q2 2019
(Source: Canadian Press, July 16, 2019) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. announced record second-quarter revenues of nearly $2 billion Tuesday, driven by grain, international container traffic and energy, chemicals and plastics to beat analysts' expectations....
BLET News
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.
Statement by International President Hahs commemorating 15th Workers’ Memorial Day
The following is a statement by BLE International President Don M. Hahs commemorating Workers’ Memorial Day.
Durand, Mich., passes remote control resolution
Durand, Mich., is the 17th U.S. city to adopt a resolution regarding remote control locomotives.
Wide majority of BLE members support affiliation with Teamsters
If an election were held today, more than three quarters of BLE members would vote to support an affiliation with the Teamsters Union, according to results from both a direct membership survey of BLE members and a scientific telephone poll.
