Rail Industry News
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...
Mobile to study fares, ridership if Amtrak returns to city
(Source: Associated Press, June 30, 2019) MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile City Council is delaying a proposal that endorsed the return of passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast through Mobile. Full story: Tuscaloosa News
Oregon passes bill requiring railroads to develop oil train spill response plans
(Source: Freight Waves, June 30, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Oregon Legislature on Saturday (June 29) approved a bill requiring railroads transporting large amounts of crude oil through Oregon to develop spill response plans and submit them to the Department of...
Former CSX exec Kendall joins FRA as deputy administrator
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 28, 2019) Quintin Kendall is the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) new deputy administrator, the agency confirmed this week. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Norfolk Southern kicks off TOP21 operating plan
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 28, 2019) Today, Norfolk Southern Railway will begin rolling out its new precision scheduled railroad operating plan known as TOP21, the Class I announced yesterday in a customer service alert. Full story: Progressive...
ExpressJet negotiations break down early as Teamsters file for mediation with NMB
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 28, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — ExpressJet Airlines, a carrier in which United Airlines holds a 49 percent stake, sent a clear message to its aircraft mechanics this week by passing a regressive...
FRA seeks further delay of rule on passenger rail safety programs
(Source: Safety & Health Magazine, June 28, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly two years after the Federal Railroad Administration first published a final rule requiring commuter and intercity passenger railroads to develop and implement system safety programs, the...
BLET News
Kentucky county asks FRA to ban remotes
The Whitley County, Ky., Fiscal Court is asking the Federal Railroad Administration to ban the use of remote controlled locomotives in the name of public safety.
North Little Rock becomes eighth U.S. city to oppose remote control
On February 24, North Little Rock, Ark. joined seven other U.S. cities in taking action against remote control locomotives.
BLE clarifies UTU, carrier spin on Teamsters
The United Transportation Union and several carriers are circulating stories asserting that the tentative contract between the Teamsters and major trucking companies adversely affects rail employees by reducing the amount of freight that these companies can ship by rail.
Rail labor sticks to members’ agenda
On February 26, the Association of American Railroads and the United Transportation Union held the fifth annual Railroad Day on the Hill, a lobbying effort for the railroad industry on Capitol Hill.
Former GST Rinehart dies
Former BLE General Secretary-Treasurer John D. Rinehart passed away on February 27 after a prolonged illness.
BLE to rally for remote control safety
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold a rally at the Federal Railroad Administration’s offices in Washington, D.C. to highlight critical safety issues regarding the use of remote control locomotives. The rally is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 1 p.m. in front of the FRA’s offices at 1120 Vermont St. N.W.
Indiana & Ohio, BLE ratify first contract
BLE members on the Indiana & Ohio Railway ratified their first collective bargaining agreement today by an overwhelming majority.
Memorandum regarding informational picketing
It has come to my attention that at least one organization not affiliated with the BLE is planning informational picketing activities and/or demonstrations at various locations across the country in connection with the railroads’ implementation of remote control operations and that BLE members have been solicited to participate. This is to remind you that the BLE, its officers and members remain
bound by a preliminary injunction in regard to remote control issued by the federal court in Chicago.
BLE organizes trainmen at Utah Railway
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers scored another organizing victory today as a majority of trainmen at the Utah Railway chose to leave the United Transportation Union to be represented by the BLE.
Labor secretary’s talk angers union leaders
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao ignited a furor today among labor leaders, including the administration’s strongest friend in labor, the teamster president James P. Hoffa, when she cited repeated examples of union corruption while addressing the A.F.L.-C.I.O.’s winter meeting.
