Rail Industry News
AAR reports rail traffic for June and the week ending June 29, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 3, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 29, 2019, as well as volumes for June 2019. U.S. railroads originated...
Opinion: Why we must never forget the Lac-Megantic rail disaster
(Source: Ottawa Citizen opinion column by Bruce Campbell, July 4, 2019) OTTAWA — Six years ago, on July 6, 2013, at 1:14 a.m., a runaway train loaded with volatile oil derailed in the center of the small Québec town of Lac-Mégantic, its disgorged contents erupting in...
Lac-Megantic marks sixth anniversary of rail disaster that claimed 47 lives
(Source: Canadian Press, July 7, 2019) LAC-MEGANTIC — The sixth anniversary of the rail disaster in Lac-Megantic, Que., will be marked this weekend with events aimed at remembering those who were lost and recognizing how the community has grown since the tragedy....
Amtrak repairs to modify Friday’s Keystone Service schedule
(Source: Penn Live, July 4, 2019) HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak Keystone Service trains will operate on a modified schedule Friday as work continues largely to fix the overhead power system that was damaged by a round of storms Tuesday night. Full story:...
California High-Speed Rail Authority publishes northern route preferences
(Source: Railway Gazette, July 3, 2019) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California High-Speed Rail Authority has published its recommended alignments for two sections of the planned line in northern California. Public feedback will now be sought before the board makes a decision...
NS to release Q2 2019 earnings on July 24
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 3, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation will announce its second-quarter financial results during a conference call and live internet webcast at 8:45 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Quarterly earnings...
Once touted as an economic boon, W.Va. intermodal facility faces auction block
(Source: The Charleston Gazette, July 3, 2019) CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Once touted as a key economic development tool for southwestern and central West Virginia, the $32 million Heartland Intermodal Gateway is likely to shut down this fall, and go on the auction block...
Texas school bus driver in fatal crash with train pleads not guilty
(Source: East Texas Matters, July 3, 2019) ATHENS, Texas — The driver involved in January’s fatal Athens ISD bus crash plead not guilty on Wednesday morning during his arraignment, according to his defense attorney Brian Schmidt. John Stevens, 78, has been indicted on...
BNSF rail service to closed mines in Wyoming is uncertain
(Source: Wyoming radio station 1020 AM, July 3, 2019) CASPER, Wyo. — BNSF Railway, which has hauled coal from the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte mines in Campbell County, is aware that their owner Blackjewel LLC, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy business reorganization,...
Houston-area port, UP complete first phase of major rail project
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 3, 2019) Representatives from Port Freeport, Union Pacific Railroad and other organizations held a ribbon cutting ceremony June 28 to mark the first-phase completion of the $21 million Parcel 14 Rail Development project at the...
Feds seeking input on stopped, slow-moving trains
(Source: The Herald, July 3, 2019) JASPER, Ind. — The Federal Railroad Administration issued a Federal Register notice on June 14, asking the public for information regarding the frequency, location and impact of blocked railroad crossings by slow-moving or idling...
Most derailed cars removed from tunnel, CN Rail says
(Source: Sarnia Observer, July 4, 2019) SARNIA, Ontario — All but nine train cars have now been removed from the international tunnel between the U.S. and Canada six days after a 47-car train derailed en route from Sarnia to Port Huron, Mich. Full story: Sarnia...
Former BLE International President Dubroski becomes two-time Jefferson Award winner
(Source: www.nj.com, July 3, 2019) CLARK, N.J. — In May, the State of New Jersey held the Jefferson Awards Ceremony for Public Service at the Trenton War Memorial. Clark resident Ed Dubroski was the proud recipient of New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for...
LNG “freedom molecules” coming soon to railroad tracks around the country
(Source: Florida Bulldog, July 2, 2019) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — President Donald Trump plans to open up the transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) around the United States in railroad tanks that can hold 30,680 gallons of the extremely flammable fuel, with as...
Amtrak launches new Green Bay-Milwaukee bus service
(Source: Wisconsin Public Radio, July 2, 2019) MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — Amtrak began two new daily, round-trip buses between Green Bay and Milwaukee Monday. Amtrak will make stops in Appleton, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. The service runs along the Interstate 41 corridor and...
St. Petersburg sues CSX over railroad right of way
(Source: St. Pete Catalyst, July 2, 2019) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The City of St. Petersburg has gone to court against CSX Transportation Inc., challenging the company’s decision to sell part of the railroad right-of-way downtown. The city wants to convert the property...
Amtrak modifies Keystone Service after damage from storms
(Source: Penn Live, July 2, 2019) HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak will provide Keystone Service on a modified basis between Philadelphia and New York City this (Wednesday) morning, July 3, following cancelations and significant delays caused by severe storms Tuesday evening...
West Virginia looks to privatize intermodal facility
(Source: Huntington Herald-Dispatch, July 2, 2019) CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After several years of losing money, the state-owned Heartland Intermodal Gateway (HIG) facility in Prichard appears headed toward privatization. Full story: Huntington Herald-Dispatch
Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station gets William H. Gray III name
(Source: Philadelphia Tribune, July 1, 2019) PHILADELPHIA — The long-anticipated renaming of a major transit hub in Philadelphia to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station will become a reality very soon, after Amtrak and the William H. Gray III Memorial Foundation...
Sen. Tester questions Amtrak officials on funding
(Source: Transportation Today, July 2, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) recently questioned Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson and other officials on the railroad’s failure to connect rural areas to the rest of the country. Full story: Transportation...
BLET News
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.
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
