Rail Industry News
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
Gulf Coast corridor wins federal grant to restore passenger service
(Source: Trains Magazine, June 9, 2019) MOBILE, Ala. — The effort to restore Amtrak service on the former Sunset Limited route east of New Orleans is being boosted by a $33-million federal grant, but route improvements must be worked out before that service can begin....
Slumping coal exports threaten rail and ocean shipping demand
(Source: Freight Waves, June 10, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Foreign buyers of U.S. coal threw a lifeline to America’s embattled mines in 2017-18. As domestic demand dwindled in the face of environmental regulation and competition from natural gas, export markets...
STB mulls rulemaking option for rail rate methodologies
(Source: Freight Waves, June 10, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is considering initiating a more formal review of how it resolves rail rate disputes. The Board anticipates considering formal actions later this summer, including a...
Freight railroads consider hiring outside the industry
(Source: Freight Waves, June 10, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The transition to e-commerce and anticipated advances in automated trucking are forcing the freight railroads to adapt to supply chains that require railroads to be more responsive and nimble. One way that...
First look inside Amtrak’s next-generation Acela train
(Source: CBS News, June 11, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak plans to replace its popular Acela trains in 2021 with new ones that will hold more people, travel faster and have improved safety features. The new trains would shave 15-20 minutes off the popular New York...
NJ politicians introduce legislation establishing agency to oversee Gateway Project
(Source: Insider NJ, June 6, 2019) TRENTON, N.J. — Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Transportation Committee Chair Patrick Diegnan and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean today introduced legislation to establish a Gateway Development Commission to oversee...
Amtrak appoints new CFO, COO
(Source: Railway Age, June 6, 2019) NEW YORK — The Amtrak Board of Directors recently approved two leadership changes, as new-hire Tracie Winbigler has been tabbed to serve as the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Amtrak veteran...
KCS Director Cordova sells $116,850 in company stock
(Source: Sundance Herald, June 6, 2019) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern Director Lu M. Cordova sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.85, for a total transaction of...
D-Day 75 years later
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 6, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the 1960’s and 70’s air travel wasn’t as convenient as it is today. There were few cross-country flights and many flights hopped from mid-size city to mid-size city. In...
U.S. officials bracing for Mexican tariffs
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, June 6, 2019) NEW YORK — Tariff talks between Mexico and the U.S. continued on June 6, with Mexico claiming progress was being made. President Trump, however, was not as optimistic. Full story: Railway Track & Structures
$33 billion for transportation in Illinois bill will have monumental impact on
(Source: Chicago Tribune, June 7, 2019) CHICAGO — For transit agencies and road builders in Illinois, it’s like Christmas in June. The $45 billion capital infrastructure plan that passed the legislature last weekend will provide $33 billion in funding for...
Norfolk Southern gearing up for major operational changes, greater use of distributed power
(Source: Trains Magazine, June 6, 2019) NEW YORK — Norfolk Southern will flip the switch on its new operating plan over the Fourth of July weekend and is preparing for the change by training crews and holding two dozen town hall meetings with employees and shippers at...
Wabtec and UE reach tentative 4 year contract
(Source: www.yourerie.com, June 6, 2019) ERIE, Pa. — Wabtec Corporation and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 506 and 618 today reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract with good wages and benefits, pending ratification...
AAR reports rail traffic for May and the week ending June 1, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, June 5, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 1, 2019, as well as volumes for May 2019. U.S. railroads originated...
Statement by Operation Lifesaver on International Level Crossing Awareness Day 2019
(Source: The following statement by Operation Lifesaver Executive Director Rachel Maleh was published on June 5, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thursday, June 6, 2019 marks the worldwide observance of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). For 11 years, ILCAD...
Teamsters and allies advocate for safety at aircraft maintenance outsourcing summit
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 5, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday Teamsters joined Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader and other aviation industry stakeholders at the Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing...
Crude by rail shipments from Western Canada rise by 34,000 bpd in May
(Source: Canadian Press, June 5, 2019) CALGARY — Genscape says crude-by-rail shipments from Western Canada continued to rise in May after falling in February to a nine-month low. The U.S. company, which monitors western Canadian rail terminals handling about 80 per...
BLET News
BLE and Carriers agree that remote control operators will not operate locomotives from the locomotive cabs pending arbitration
BLE and the Class I rail carriers involved in the dispute over the assignment of remote control technology have agreed that until the dispute is resolved in arbitration, remote control operators (RCOs) will be instructed not to operate locomotives while they are inside locomotive cabs.
Space remains for November 10-13 S-T training session
There is still room available for Secretary-Treasurers wishing to attend the BLE’s Compliance Class at the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md., on November 10-13.
Remote control arbitration deadlines extended
In recognition of the death of UTU General Counsel Clint Miller’s wife, BLE and the carriers have agreed with UTU to extend by two weeks the deadlines for the exchange and filing of submissions and the convening of the arbitration hearing.
BLE schedules two LC workshops for 2003
The BLE’s Education & Training Department is scheduling two Local Chairman Training Workshops next year at the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md.
Baton Rouge votes to ban remote control locomotives
By a vote of 10-1, the City Council of Baton Rouge, La., passed a resolution to ban the use of remote control locomotives in the city due to public safety concerns.
Congressional Alert! Amtrak facing crisis!
All BLE and GIA members are asked to contact the U.S. House of Representative’s Appropriations Committee immediately to express support for Amtrak.
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.
