Rail Industry News
New rail car plant to bring 263 jobs to Butler County, Iowa
(Source: The Courier, June 20, 2019) WATERLOO, Iowa — Butler County is eager to welcome a new rail car maintenance service rolling into town this summer. In tow will be more than 250 jobs and a planned capital investment of $60 million into the community. The rail car...
Power restored at NY Penn Station after outage temporarily halted all trains
(Source: CNBC, June 19, 2019) NEW YORK — Transit authorities have restored power to the New Jersey rail system, allowing travel in and out of New York’s Penn Station following trouble with Amtrak’s overhead wires that halted all service Wednesday morning, according to...
Genesee & Wyoming reports 9.9% decline in May traffic
(Source: Zacks.com, June 19, 2019) NEW YORK — Genesee & Wyoming reported disappointing traffic figures for May. Traffic in the month was 264,098 carloads, reflecting a 9.9% decrease year over year. Traffic at the company's North American operations declined 8.1% from...
Canadian crude Gulf Coast exports rise as Venezuelan gap is filled
(Source: Reuters, June 18, 2019) HOUSTON — Heavy crudes have poured into the United States this spring, offsetting the loss of Venezuelan oil and producing a mini-surplus, with Canadian heavy crude this month being exported from the U.S. Gulf Coast. Crude-by-rail...
Union Pacific CEO signals caution on Trump’s China tariff threat
(Source: Reuters, June 19, 2019) NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES — Union Pacific Corp’s chief executive said another round of tariffs on Chinese goods could badly hurt his railroad and the U.S. economy, but he feels U.S. President Donald Trump is listening to his concerns. Full...
Month after NTSB recommended replacing Amtrak Cascades trains, they’re still running
(Source: Television station KIRO 7, June 19, 2019) TUKWILA, Wash. — In Tukwila on Wednesday, Dane Cheatley boarded an Amtrak Cascades train, just like the one that derailed near DuPont in 2017 and killed three people. Full story: www.kiro7.com
UP train carrying military weapons and explosives partially derails in Nevada
(Source: Associated Press, June 19, 2019) WELLS, Nevada — A train carrying military munitions derailed in the high desert of northeast Nevada on Wednesday, closing an interstate for about an hour before emergency crews determined there was no danger. No injuries were...
House leaders press Amtrak CEO for answers about reported decision to reduce the number of Amtrak police
(Source: House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee press release, June 20, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee...
Bombardier to open railcar assembly plant in California
(Source: Trains Magazine, June 17, 2019) PITTSBURG, Calif. — Bombardier Transportation announced Friday it would open a new railcar assembly plant in Pittsburg, with new Bay Area Rapid Transit cars to be the first equipment built at the site. Full story: Trains...
Union Pacific to release Q2 2019 earnings on July 18
(Source: Union Pacific press release, June 18, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — You are invited to listen to Union Pacific Corporation’s (NYSE: UNP) second quarter 2019 earnings release presentation that will be broadcast live over the Internet and via teleconference on Thursday,...
CSX to release Q2 2019 earnings on July 16
(Source: CSX press release, June 18, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corporation will release second-quarter financial and operating results after the market close on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. This will be followed by a conference call and live webcast hosted by the...
Federal officials to review flood issues in Texas derailment
(Source: Associated Press, June 18, 2019) FORT WORTH, Texas — Investigators will consider storm-related flooding to help determine what caused an April 24 freight train derailment in North Texas that sent 25 tanker cars off the tracks. Full story:...
Strong carload volume boosts Canadian National
(Source: Market Realist, June 17, 2019) NEW YORK — In Week 23, Canadian National Railway’s (CNI) total traffic volumes improved 1.2% YoY (year-over-year) to 117,789 railcars from 116,381 railcars. Five of the seven Class I railroad companies registered YoY declines in...
Falling rail traffic could weigh on Kansas City Southern
(Source: The Lope, June 18, 2019) NEW YORK — Concerns over the global economy continue to dominate the public discourse. If the economy is dismal, then corporate earnings could decline. Sans corporate earnings growth, the only thing that can drive stocks higher is a...
Opinion: Amtrak bullying now targets SEPTA
(Source: Railway Age opinion column by Frank N. Wilner, June 18, 2019) NEW YORK — Here we go again with Amtrak. While complaining that host freight railroads unreasonably impair its legal right to passenger-train priority handling, Amtrak is employing thug-like...
Anti-worker NLRB decision shows need for reform
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 18, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The rollback of union rights in favor of big business continues. Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) handed down a ruling that allows companies to bar...
FRA issues proposed rule for passenger rail safety, risk-reduction systems
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 17, 2019) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in response to petitions seeking reconsideration of a final rule regarding intercity- and commuter-rail systems'...
Low prices and high waters are backing coal railcars into storage
(Source: Freight Waves, June 18, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Historic flooding in the Midwest and poor demand from electric utilities are stranding coal hoppers west of the Mississippi, pushing up prices for storing railcars. The American Association of Railroads said...
Tariffs hurt economy, but China must be held accountable, Union Pacific CEO says
(Source: CNBC, June 18, 2019) NEW YORK — President Donald Trump has the right goal in mind to settle ongoing trade issues with China, but his approach could have far-reaching consequences on the U.S. economy, Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz told CNBC Tuesday. It’s time...
How did the Heartland Flyer get its name?
(Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 18, 2019) FORT WORTH, Texas — When Amtrak re-launched passenger rail service from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City in 1999 after a 20-year hiatus, a contest was held to name the route. Katie Moore, then 11 years old, came up with the...
BLET News
BLE extends sympathy to Rightnowar
On January 6, the brother of Union Pacific-Central Region General Chairman Charlie Rightnowar passed away unexpectedly. Larry Rightnowar was Chairman Rightnowar’s older brother.
BLE commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Today, we mark the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King has a vast legacy of social change and on this day we choose to honor him for his extraordinary life. We must also strive on this day to further the work that he left undone when his life was cut tragically short.
BLE calls into question statements made by Boyd
After reviewing numerous inquiries from BLE members regarding the outcome of last week’s arbitration ruling on remote control, BLE International President Don Hahs called into question certain statements made by UTU President Byron Boyd in a UTU press release.
BLE files remote control dissent
BLE President Don Hahs filed his dissent yesterday to Chairman Gil Vernon’s decision in the remote control arbitration case, Special Board of Adjustment No. 1141.
Senate bill restores full funding for Amtrak
Last night, the full U.S. Senate approved an amendment to an omnibus spending bill that restores Amtrak’s request for $1.2 billion in subsidies.
Amtrak shutdown looms; your help needed
BLE and GIA members are asked to call their members of Congress immediately in an effort to secure $1.2 billion in funding for Amtrak.
BLE outraged at decision on remote control trains
A decision issued today by Arbitrator Gil Vernon, Chairman of Special Board of Adjustment No. 1141, opens the door for the nationwide operation of unmanned remote control trains, a controversial practice that could compromise safety and lead to widespread job losses, according to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE).
BLE member seriously hurt in Metrolink crash
A truck driver was killed and more than 20 people injured when a truck slammed into a Metrolink train during morning rush hour today near Los Angeles. Among the injured was the train’s locomotive engineer, BLE Member J.L. Cook, 47, a resident of Palmdale, Calif.
Former President Delaney recovering
Former BLE International President Robert E. Delaney is at home recovering from a heart attack suffered on December 20.
NS hiring conductors in Ohio
The Norfolk Southern Corp. is currently holding recruiting events for the position of railroad freight train conductor in Northern Ohio.
