Rail Industry News
CEO of CSX says the economy is the “most puzzling” he’s seen as stock plummets
(Source: CNBC, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — The CEO of giant East Coast railroad operator CSX is sounding alarm on the U.S. economy as it weighs on the company’s shipping volumes. Full story: CNBC
CSX stock tumbles most since 2008 on freight slump worries
(Source: Bloomberg, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX Corp. plunged the most since the 2008 financial crisis after a weakened 2019 sales forecast stoked fears of a prolonged freight slump. Full story: Yahoo Finance
CP reports Q2 2019 financial results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, July 16, 2019) CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today announced record second-quarter revenues of $1.98 billion, an increase of 13 percent from last year, and record earnings per share (EPS) with...
Union Pacific reports Q2 2019 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 18, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2019 second quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.22 per diluted share. This compares to $1.5 billion, or $1.98 per diluted share, in the second quarter...
Meth addict steals $540,000 in Amtrak vouchers to sell on eBay
(Source: Kansas City Star, July 16, 2019) MILAN, Mich. — A Michigan man who officials say stole $540,000 worth of Amtrak vouchers to resell on eBay was indicted on Monday, according to court documents. Full story: Kansas City Star
Cleanup crews making progress after Great Dismal Swamp derailment
(Source: Virginian-Pilot, July 16, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Cleanup crews in the Great Dismal Swamp are making progress after a Norfolk Southern train derailed last month and sent 36 cars carrying 3,500 tons coal into the refuge, according to refuge manager Chris Lowie....
Union Pacific, other freight companies earnings eyed for tariff effects
(Source: Reuters, July 12, 2019) NEW YORK — Results from two major U.S. railroads are likely to attract more scrutiny than usual as investors look for signs of how deeply U.S. President Donald Trump’s multi-front trade war is affecting freight companies and the wider...
Assault a NJ Transit worker? It’s jail for you!
(Source: Railway Age, July 10, 2019) NEW YORK — Public transportation is, well, public, and dealing with the public isn’t an easy job. Front-line workers such as railroad conductors and bus drivers can become victims of on-the-job assaults perpetrated by angry, noisy...
Judge orders mechanics unions at American to fine their members if they cause further flight disruptions
(Source: Forbes.com, July 11, 2019) NEW YORK — A federal judge in Fort Worth has told the two unions representing American Airlines' mechanics to begin fining their own members if their actions cause flight delays or cancellations in violation of his order issued two...
Union Pacific laying off workers in Illinois as it streamlines operations
(Source: Chicago Tribune, July 10, 2019) CHICAGO — Union Pacific is scaling back operations at two facilities in Illinois as part of a plan the company rolled out last year to improve the efficiency in its freight operations. A train-sorting facility in Rochelle ended...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending July 6, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 10, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 6, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 448,459...
Employees say Union Pacific’s PSR, longer trains and job cuts are dangerous
(Source: Television station KUTV, July 16, 2019) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Union Pacific Railroad derailments have made a lot of headlines in our area in recent weeks. Last week, a train in Nevada left the tracks. Pictures show mangled automobiles on the ground and...
Edited transcript of CSX Q2 2019 earnings conference call
(Source: Yahoo Finance, July 17, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Edited Transcript of CSX Corp earnings conference call or presentation Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Full story: Yahoo Finance
CSX shares tumble after Q2 2019 earnings miss; Outlook slashed as freight volumes slow
(Source: The Street, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX shares were indicated sharply lower in pre-market trading Wednesday after the third-largest U.S. rail operator slashed its full-year revenue forecast amid slowing freight volumes linked to the ongoing trade dispute...
CSX sees record operating ratio in Q2 2019
(Source: Freight Waves, July 16, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Despite a drop in profit in the second quarter, CSX’s operating ratio set a company record. CSX said its operating ratio was 57.4 percent for the second quarter of 2019, setting a company record for the...
CSX announces Q2 2019 financial results
(Source: CSX press release, July 16, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corporation today announced second quarter 2019 net earnings of $870 million, or $1.08 per share, versus $877 million, or $1.01 per share in the same period last year (an earnings per share increase...
Unions allege BNSF employee medical reporting rules violate Americans with Disabilities Act
(Source: Cook County Record, July 5, 2019) CHICAGO — A group of unions is suing BNSF Railway, alleging its practices for requiring medical documentation violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. The unions filed their complaint June 28 in U.S. District Court for...
Amtrak begins Philadelphia station’s name change
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 8, 2019) Last week, Amtrak began taking steps to officially rename the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia in honor of the late William Gray III, a former U.S. congressman who died six years ago. Full story: Progressive...
Amtrak releases FY2018 sustainability report
(Source: Amtrak press release, July 8, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak released its FY2018 Sustainability Report, in a newly designed and interactive online experience, highlighting company performance against year-over-year sustainability goals. In FY18 year, the...
Organizers say efforts underway to run W.Va. New River Train this fall
(Source: Herald-Dispatch, July 9, 2019) CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Despite innumerable delays, organizers of a fall excursion train to replace the now-defunct New River Train insist that the train will run this October, with announcements pending shortly. Full story:...
BLET News
Illinois city the 16th to oppose remotes
The Village of Dupo, Ill., became the 16th U.S. city to approve a resolution prohibiting the use of remote control locomotives.
Evansville, Ind., opposes remote control
The Evansville, Ind., City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing remote control locomotives on April 7, becoming the 15th U.S. city to take action against unmanned trains.
Space remains for May Local Chairman workshop
General Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert, who heads the BLE’s Education and Training Department, announced that a few spots still remain for next month’s Local Chairman Workshop at the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md.
Register online for IWC 2003
BLE members planning to attend the upcoming International Western Convention in Sparks, Nev., may pre-register through the convenience of the BLE website.
Alliance, Neb., resolution takes aim at remotes
The city of Alliance, Neb., is the 14th city in the United States to pass a resolution restricting the operation of remote control locomotives.
Belen, N.M., bans remotes
The city of Belen, N.M., is the 13th U.S. city to take action against remote control locomotives, adopting a resolution to ban their operation within city limits until certain safety requirements are met.
President Hahs statement on POW release
American prayers were answered yesterday when the seven prisoners of war in Iraq were returned to the freedom of coalition forces
Seventh U.S. county opposes remote control
The Douglas County, Wisc., Board of Supervisors voted to oppose the use of remote control locomotives in the county on March 20, becoming the seventh U.S. county to enact such a resolution.
Two Louisiana counties pass remote resolutions
Two counties in Louisiana have joined the growing list of communities to adopt safety-related resolutions regarding remote control locomotives.
BLE General Chairman Thews rescues 2-year-old boy
In his eight years as an engineer for Metra, David Thews has seen a lot of things cross his train’s path: stray animals, rowdy teenagers, cars stuck on the rails.
