Rail Industry News
Canadian railroads steam ahead of U.S. counterparts
(Source: The Load Star, July 24, 2019) LONDON — There were mixed fortunes for North American railroads in the first half, those north of the US border faring better in a hostile market than their southern neighbors. Full story: The Load Star
Railroads warn investors of freight shipment slowdown
(Source: Associated Press, July 25, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroads are warning investors that freight shipments will continue to fall this year as the Trump administration's trade fights hamper exports and cheap natural gas causes coal deliveries to dwindle. Full...
Rail shippers want more say in carrier operations
(Source: Freight Waves, July 25, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Customers of the major U.S. railroads claim that many of the service headaches and added costs they’ve increasingly had to endure over the last three years could be avoided if they were to be made partners in...
Rail service is at an all-time low, shippers tell House committee
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, July 26, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Precision-scheduled railroading (PSR) is driving discord between railroads and their customers, a roundtable of rail shippers told the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and...
PATH unions say contract talks are on the wrong track
(Source: www.nj.com, July 22, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — A group of unions representing 800 rail workers on the PATH transit system are the last of 23 bargaining groups left to settle with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Officials of the PATH unions said...
New NMB rule undermines aviation and rail workers
(Source: AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department press release, July 26, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement in response to the National Mediation Board (NMB) releasing a final...
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...
BLET News
Arizona AFL-CIO adopts resolution questioning safety of remote control
The AFL-CIO Arizona State Federation has adopted a resolution calling for the State of Arizona and the Federal Railroad Administration to examine the implementation of remote control locomotives in the name of public safety.
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).
