Rail Industry News
Disputed rail project seeking to ship eastern Utah oil to more lucrative markets clears hurdle with $21 million funding boost
(Source: Salt Lake Tribune, June 13, 2019) VERNAL, Utah — A controversial rail proposal, which would connect the Uinta Basin’s waxy crude with Gulf Coast refiners, cleared a crucial milestone Thursday by securing a $21.4 million grant from a Utah panel that doles out...
NJ Transit train delays still a problem after the governor’s pledge to fix them
(Source: Bloomberg, June 13, 2019) TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Transit commuter trains have hit their worst on-time and reliability records in the 18 months since Governor Phil Murphy promised to overhaul the nation’s second-biggest commuter railroad. Full story:...
FRA doles out more than $326 million in grants
(Source: Railway Age, June 13, 2019) NEW YORK — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently announced that 45 projects in 29 states will benefit from $326-plus million in grant money under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI)...
Regulators clearing the tracks for rail shipments of LNG
(Source: Freight Waves, June 14, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — A relative newcomer to the U.S. energy scene has received a preliminary nod from regulators to use an as-yet untapped transportation resource – rail tank cars – to move liquefied natural gas (LNG). When not...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending June 8, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, June 12, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 8, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 513,099...
Amtrak Heartland Flyer celebrates 20 years on track in Oklahoma and Texas
(Source: Tahlequah Daily Press, June 12, 2019) TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — In 1999, passenger rail made a return to the Sooner State as the Amtrak Heartland Flyer hit the rails between Oklahoma and Texas. Now the train is readying for its 20th anniversary on June 14 with...
Amtrak’s Empire Builder route turns 90
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 12, 2019) Amtrak yesterday marked the 90th anniversary of the Empire Builder route, which travels across the northern United States from Chicago to Seattle and Portland. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Hoosier State train is going away on July 1, and here’s what it means for Indianapolis
(Source: Indianapolis Star, June 13, 2019) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — After nearly 30 years of service, the Hoosier State train will make its last run June 30. Full story: Indianapolis Star
Amtrak partially restores trips between St. Louis and Kansas City
(Source: Missourian, June 12, 2019) COLUMBIA, Mo. — Amtrak announced Wednesday it is restoring one of the two daily Missouri River Runner round trips between St. Louis and Kansas City starting Thursday. Full story: Missourian
Rail advocates say new Gulf Coast Amtrak service would be an improvement over Sunset Limited
(Source: www.al.com, June 11, 2019) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When the transcontinental Sunset Limited last operated three-days-a-week voyages along the Gulf Coast 14 years ago, on-time performances and ridership numbers were both poor and stops into Mobile were often made...
How Acela cars are made: Inside the Alstom facility
(Source: Railway Age, June 12, 2019) NEW YORK — Alstom Transportation is building the next generation of high-speed trainsets for Amtrak‘s Northeast Corridor Acela Express service. The new equipment is scheduled to enter service sometime in 2021 between Washington,...
Despite years of mudslinging and attacks, Californians still want their bullet train
(Source: Streetsblog San Francisco, June 12, 2019) SAN FRANCISCO — The Los Angeles Times attacks California’s High-speed Rail project incessantly. The train builders have had problems acquiring land and are now caught in a game of political chess with President Trump....
Class I railroads: How did things get so bad?
(Source: Forbes, June 12, 2019) NEW YORK — On May 22nd and May 23rd, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) held an Oversight Hearing on Demurrage and Accessorial Charges. Railroad customers objected to escalating fines across the country's seven Class I carriers and...
UE 506, 618 members ratify first four-year contract with Wabtec
(Source: United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) press release, June 12, 2019) ERIE, Pa. — The members of UE Locals 506 and 618 ratified the first four-year contract agreement with their new employer, Wabtec. The ratification comes on the back of...
White House pulls rule that would require two-member crew in locomotives
(Source: Washington Post, June 13, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House has pulled an Obama era proposal that would have mandated two crew members in most locomotives, and it has banned states from requiring railroads to do so. Full story: Washington Post
NTSB confirms worker killed in accident involving remote control locomotive
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, June 11, 2019) NEW YORK — A remote-controlled locomotive struck and killed a CSX railroad employee back on April 13, and the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it almost two months later. Allen Lowe, who had worked for...
NY, NJ try to get Hudson rail tunnel going by boosting key agency’s role
(Source: NJ Spotlight, June 10, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — A new push is underway in both the New Jersey and New York legislatures to expand the role of a key agency that is helping coordinate efforts to build the proposed Gateway rail tunnel under the Hudson River. Full...
Plan to extend Downeaster to northern midcoast Maine falls through again
(Source: Bangor Daily News, June 11, 2019) BANGOR, Maine — For the second summer in a row, plans to extend the Amtrak Downeaster’s service north of Brunswick through Rockland for a limited seasonal schedule have fallen through. Full story: Maine Public Radio
Wisconsin budget includes funding to expand passenger rail service between Milwaukee, Chicago
(Source: Wisconsin Public Radio, June 10, 2019) MADISON, Wisc. — The Legislature's budget committee included $35 million in the transportation budget to expand rail service between Milwaukee and Chicago on the busy Amtrak Hiawatha line. The money will provide matching...
Alabama governor balks at passenger rail funding
(Source: Associated Press, June 9, 2019) MOBILE, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said she needs more information before the state commits funding to help restore Amtrak train service. Full story: News & Observer
BLET News
Neutrals picked for remote control arbitration
From a final list furnished by the National Mediation Board, the remote control arbitration board neutral member and “deadlock” neutral member have been selected today by the parties involved in the dispute.
Indiana Southern employees vote to be represented by BLE
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has won the right to represent train and engine service employees on the Indiana Southern Railroad.
Railroader loses leg in California accident
A 46-year-old employee of the California Northern Railroad Company lost his leg in a switching mishap on September 17. The man was using remote control at the time of the accident.
Pedestrian’s leg amputated in remote control accident
A pedestrian’s right leg was amputated at mid-thigh as he became trapped climbing between cars of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train in Galesburg, Ill. The train was being operated by remote control at the time of the accident on August 28.
President Hahs reflects on September 11, 2001
As BLE members join all Americans and most citizens of the world in remembrance of the tragic events of one year ago today, President Hahs issued the following statement:
BLE, Teamsters announce committee appointments
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters today announced the appointment of BLE and Teamster members to four joint committees charged with the task of drafting a Merger Agreement for the two organizations. Staff from both Unions will assist in the process as necessary.
BLE presents fatigue countermeasure plan to carriers
Leaders of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers presented a three-pronged fatigue countermeasures plan to the railroad industry and government regulators yesterday at a meeting in Washington, D.C.
Labor Day 2002 Statement by BLE President Don Hahs
The American labor movement is coming off one of the most challenging years to date as we mark our first post-September 11 Labor Day weekend. Thousands of everyday workers were killed on that fateful day, while thousands more are out of work (and out of luck regarding their 401(k)s) in the aftermath of the Enron and Worldcom debacles.
BLE, Fire Fighters to lead Labor Day parade
Members of BLE Division 166 will march in the annual Charlotte, N.C., Labor Day Parade on Monday, marking the fourth year in a row the BLE has represented rail labor in the nation’s second-largest labor day parade.
FRA, management deny remote control fatality
An official with the Federal Railroad Administration today contacted the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers to state that the August 8, 2002, fatality of a UTU member at a steel mill in Cleveland was not the result of remote control operations.
