Rail Industry News
Indiana port processed gargantuan gantry cranes for CSX terminal
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 2, 2019) The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor recently handled two large rubber-tire gantry (RTG) cranes that were destined for CSX's Chicago-area intermodal terminal in Bedford Park, Illinois. Full story: Progressive Railroading
CN re-routing freight trains through July 6 while clean up continues at Sarnia-Port Huron tunnel derailment site
(Source: CBC News, July 2, 2019) TORONTO — Via Rail is working with Canadian National (CN) to re-route six freight trains per day through Via's Chatham subdivision — which includes service through Tecumseh and Windsor — until July 6. The route changes come in the wake...
Oklahoma to fine freight railroads for blocking rail crossings
(Source: Freight Waves, July 2, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Blocking railroad crossings in Oklahoma now could come at a financial cost for freight railroads. Oklahoma has enacted a statute that allows the state to fine a stalled freight train up to $1,000 for blocking...
CN anticipates record grain shipments; CP says it’s also moving more grain
(Source: Canadian Press, July 3, 2019) WINNIPEG — Canadian National Railway says it is on track to move record quantities of western Canadian grain after a strong June, and Canadian Pacific Railway says it's moved more grain this year as well. Full story:...
Flooding closures dampen Amtrak revenue
(Source: Jefferson City News Tribune, July 2, 2019) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — So far this year, the Amtrak Missouri River Runner passenger trains have not been able to operate for 42 days due to flooding conditions along their route through the middle of the state. Not...
Police conduct emergency drills at NY state rail stations
(Source: Associated Press, July 3, 2019) ALBANY, N.Y. — Police are planning safety exercises at New York state rail stations. State security officials say the multi-agency emergency preparedness exercises will begin Wednesday at 2 p.m. State and local police will work...
After request from Chair DeFazio and others, new GAO study confirms trains are getting longer and will likely continue to increase in length in coming years
(Source: U.S. House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure committee press release, July 1, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — On July 1, a group of House lawmakers, led by Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and...
China unveils maglev train that cruises at 373 miles per hour
(Source: Freight Waves, July 21, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — China’s state-owned train manufacturer, the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), has unveiled a maglev train that clocks a maximum speed of 373 miles per hour. With the promised speed, the MagLev...
CRRC, SEPTA agree to delay delivery of commuter rail cars
(Source: www.masslive.com, July 2, 2019) SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — CRRC MA and the Philadelphia area’s transit system have agreed to a six-month extension on the delivery deadline for 45 Springfield-built double-decker commuter rail cars, in part so welds on the car shells...
Amtrak’s Hoosier State makes final stop
(Source: Journal Review, July 1, 2019) LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Amtrak’s Hoosier State made final stops in Crawfordsville Sunday, marking the end of daily passenger train service to the city. Full story: Journal Review
Northeast Corridor trains resume with delays following Amtrak work train fire
(Source: ABC New York, July 1, 2019) TRENTON, N.J. — A fire on board an Amtrak work train forced the suspension of service on the Northeast Corridor during the height of the evening commute Monday. Amtrak and NJ Transit train service resumed in both directions by 6:30...
Cleanup of coal in Great Dismal Swamp a “slow process,” refuge manager says
(Source: Virginian Pilot, July 1, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Cleanup crews working in the Great Dismal Swamp removed about 15 truck loads of coal over the weekend, said Chris Lowie, the swamp's refuge manager. A Norfolk Southern train derailed June 25, spilling about 3,600...
Congressmen seek longer comment period for LNG by rail permit request
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 1, 2019) House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) have asked the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to extend the public...
Water advocacy group not worried about sulphuric acid leaking from train derailment
(Source: CBC News, July 1, 2019) PORT HURON, Mich. — Dangerous goods experts from CN Rail are still pumping the leaking sulphuric acid from the St. Clair River rail tunnel. In a statement, CN said third-party contractors are also assisting with the cleanup. The work...
Opinion: Freight slowdown is a terrible sign for the economy
(Source: Forbes.com opinion column by Patrick W. Watson, July 1, 2019) NEW YORK — Just as an army moves on its stomach, an economy moves on ships, trucks, and planes. They carry the goods whose purchase adds up to growth. Nowadays many goods are digital, delivered...
Wisconsin mudslide causes BNSF train cars to derail into Mississippi River
(Source: Television station WMTV, July 1, 2019) GLEN HAVEN, Wisc. — A mudslide caused a freight train to derail and fall into the Mississippi River in Grant County Monday. Authorities at the scene say Burlington North Santa Fe (BNSF) freight train derailed in Glen...
Puchala assumes NMB chairmanship
(Source: National Mediation Board press release, July 1, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that Ms. Linda A. Puchala has been named Chairman of the National Mediation Board, effective July 1, 2019. Mr. Gerald Fauth, III...
Another PRB bankruptcy: Blackjewel LLC files for Chapter 11
(Source: Gillette News Record, July 1, 2019) GILLETTE, Wyo. — Another large Powder River Basin coal producer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in an attempt to clear millions of debt it can’t pay. Blackjewel LLC, which operates the Eagle Butte and...
Three UP workers treated and released from hospital after ammonia leak in Cheyenne
(Source: Radio station KGAB, July 1, 2019) CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Three Union Pacific employees were taken to the hospital Friday evening after an ammonia leak in the Cheyenne rail yard. UP spokeswoman Kristen South says the incident occurred around 6 p.m., when the...
GAO: Freight trains are getting longer, and additional information is needed to assess the impact
(Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office report, July 1, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Freight trains have been getting longer—nearly 3 miles in some cases. This has raised concerns that trains may block traffic more often at road-crossings, impeding emergency...
BLET News
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.
BLE training class approved for college credits
The BLE’s Secretary-Treasurer Training class was recently accredited for two college credits at the George Meany Center-National Labor College (GMC-NLC).
Another Ohio city takes action against remotes
The City of Maple Heights, Ohio is the 12th U.S. city to take action against remote control locomotives. The city of Maple Heights is an eastern suburb of Cleveland.
Tennessee county opposes remotes
The Unicoi County Commission in Tennessee unanimously passed a resolution on March 24 against the use of remote control locomotives, becoming the fourth county to do so in the United States.
Teamsters merger survey results coming in April
The results of written and telephone surveys that reveal the BLE membership’s opinions regarding a proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters will be announced in April.
BLE honors retiring employee
BLE International President Don M. Hahs and the officers and staff of the International Division honored staff member Linda Thomson, who is retiring today after 30 years of service to the Brotherhood.
BLE gets landmark FELA victory at Supreme Court
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers played a key role in protecting the Federal Employers Liability Act -– and the rights of all railroad workers — in a landmark Supreme Court decision issued on March 10.
Be vigilant, be alert
As the United States moves ahead with the war in Iraq, the BLE is asking its members to do their part in the war effort by remaining safe, vigilant and alert behind the throttle.
