Rail Industry News
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...
San Jose councilman: “Union Pacific has not been a good neighbor”
(Source: San Jose Mercury News, June 5, 2019) SAN JOSE, Calif. — Perhaps nothing in recent memory has galvanized San Joseans of all backgrounds and beliefs quite so much as the deep frustration with Union Pacific that has permeated conversations at City Hall and...
Texas bus driver indicted after deadly crash with UP train
(Source: Associated Press, June 6, 2019) NEW YORK — A Texas man has been indicted on manslaughter and injury to a child charges following the death of a 13-year-old boy on a school bus struck by a train in January, according to The Associated Press. Full story: ABC...
Railroad tracks were covered by water when train derailed in Fort Worth, official says
(Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 5, 2019) FORT WORTH, Texas — A set of south Fort Worth railroad tracks where a massive train derailment, ethanol spill and explosion occurred April 24 was underwater at the time the train came through, an official said. Full...
BLET News
UTU member killed in remote control accident
A member of the United Transportation Union was killed on August 8 in an accident involving remote control operations.
Tie-breaking method for remote control arbitration decided
On August 16, Francis X. Quinn, the Procedural Neutral in the remote control arbitration, resolved a procedural issue regarding breaking a tie should one arise in arbitration.
BLE announces S-T training session, November 10-13
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has announced it will conduct a Secretary-Treasurer training workshop November 10-13 on the campus of the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md.
Meany Center offers additional hazmat training
Due to increasing demand, the George Meany Center-National Labor College will conduct an extra hazardous waste/chemical emergency response training program this year at its campus in Silver Spring, Md.
NMB emphasizes operating craft distinctions in KCS ruling
In dismissing the United Transportation Union’s application to create a single operating craft on the Kansas City Southern Railway, the National Mediation Board ruled in the BLE’s favor on a number of points to confirm that two distinct operating crafts exist on the Class 1 railroad.
NMB decision available
A copy of the National Mediation Board’s decision on the Kansas City Southern single-craft issue is available on the NMB’s website.
MAJOR VICTORY FOR BLE, LABOR
The National Mediation Board today dismissed the United Transportation Union’s application to create a single craft of “Train and Engine Service Employees” on the Kansas City Southern Railway.
Procedural neutral hears argument on tie-breaking method for remote control arbitration
Yesterday in St. Louis, arbitrator Francis X. Quinn heard argument from the BLE, UTU, and rail carriers involved in the dispute over remote control assignments on the procedural question of how the merits arbitration board should break a deadlock.
BLE announces grant for Local Chairman workshops
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has received a $32,000 grant from the North American Railway Foundation to assist in the training and education of its membership.
New NMB members Fitzmaurice, Hoglander confirmed by Senate
The National Mediation Board has two new Board Members — Edward J. Fitzmaurice and Harry R. Hoglander — who were confirmed last night by the U.S. Senate.
