Rail Industry News
Grain shippers association calls on STB to create guidance on rail demurrage, accessorial charges
(Source: World-Grain.com, May 30, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), on behalf of the North American Millers’ Association and others, urged the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to develop policy principals or guidance to...
PTC interoperability still far from a reality
(Source: Freight Waves, May 30, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Only 17 percent of the relationships between the U.S. passenger and freight railroads required to utilize positive train control (PTC) technology have interoperability, meaning that the host railroad can...
Trump administration’s latest rail safety rollback sets up industry to make its own rules
(Source: DeSmog Blog, May 30, 2019) NEW YORK — This week, the Trump administration’s Department of Transportation (DOT) withdrew another rail safety recommendation originally proposed during the Obama administration. In the process, the agency made quite clear that it...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending May 25, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 29, 2019) NEW YORK — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 25, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,966 carloads and...
China’s new 373 mph maglev train will be the world’s fastest
(Source: Robb Report, May 28, 2019) Taking the train through China is about to get a lot more interesting—and about 100 mph faster. Late last week in Shandong province, state-owned rail company China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) unveiled the body prototype...
Plans underway for “largest single-terminal container facility in the western hemisphere”
(Source: Railway Age, May 29, 2019) NEW YORK — The St. Louis Regional Freightway and the Port of Savannah are forging a partnership to create a new connection between the St. Louis, Mo., region and what aims to be “the largest single-terminal container facility in the...
North Dakota rail safety inspection extended, may be permanent
(Source: Associated Press, May 30, 2019) BISMARCK, N.D. — A state-run rail safety pilot program that supplements federal oversight of oil train traffic will continue for at least two more years and probably will be made permanent, North Dakota’s Republican Senate...
Lawmakers raise security concerns about China building NYC subway cars
(Source: The Hill, May 29, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of House members from New York are raising concerns about Chinese involvement in building New York City subway cars, zeroing in on the potential that the new train cars could be hacked or...
UE Union conducts informational picketing, leaves door open to strike at Wabtec plant in Erie, Pa.
(Source: GoErie.com, May 29, 2019) ERIE, Pa. — Wednesday afternoon brought a reminder of cold days in February as members of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America union carried signs and marched outside the gates of the former GE Transportation...
Positive Train Control may open up railroads to new kinds of cyber attacks, expert says
(Source: Trains Magazine, May 28, 2019) According to a recent report in Trains Magazine, cyber hackers are mostly looking to enrich themselves from railroads, but their efforts could open up a path for even more serious attacks. “A malicious cyber breach of PTC or...
FRA publishes first quarter 2019 PTC status update
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, May 29, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a status update reflecting railroads’ self-reported progress toward fully implementing positive train control (PTC)...
Q&A Medicare for railroad families
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, May 7, 2019) CHICAGO — The Federal Medicare program provides hospital and medical insurance protection for railroad retirement annuitants and their families, just as it does for social security beneficiaries. Medicare...
CSX CFO Lonegro departs company
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, May 28, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX Corporation (CSX) has announced the departure of Frank Lonegro, executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Full story: Railway Track & Structures
Great Plains flooding sends intermodal loads off-track
(Source: Freight Waves, May 28, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Flooding has become an unfortunate fact of life for many people in the Great Plains recently. Periods of severe thunderstorms and torrential rain for the past few weeks have finally taken their toll on...
Railroads risk market share by charging shippers excessive fees
(Source: Freight Waves, May 28, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) held two days of hearings on accessorial and demurrage charges last week. What’s the strategic game theory play here? The railroads that are utilizing precision scheduled...
Transport Canada unveils proposed regulation for recording devices on trains
(Source: Freight Waves, May 28, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The proposed regulation requires certain passenger and freight railways to install voice and video recording equipment in the cab of the locomotive for the purpose of collecting data on in-cab operating...
Wabtec, UE Union make progress as deadline nears
(Source: GoErie.com, May 28, 2019) ERIE, Pa. — There are important signs of progress as talks continue between Wabtec, which purchased the former GE Transportation on Feb. 25, and the 1,700-member unionized workforce. Full story: www.goerie.com
UE, allies take message to Wabtec shareholders: “One union, one tier”
(Source: United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) press release, May 20, 2019) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Chanting “One Union, One Tier” and carrying a banner reading “Don't Derail Our Future,” over 50 UE members and allies picketed Wabtec's shareholder...
Report: DOT Secretary Elaine Chao still owns stock she vowed to divest
(Source: New York Magazine, May 28, 2019) NEW YORK — Prior administrations might argue that the Transportation Secretary owning shares in the largest supplier of gravel mix used in road construction is an explicit conflict of interest. But according to a report from...
CSX increasing train speeds on Alabama route
(Source: www.al.com, May 28, 2019) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — CSX Transportation is increasing the traveling speed of its trains through parts of Alabama and Georgia. Effective June 1, CSX will increase its maximum speeds from 25 mph to 40 mph on tracks between Waycross,...
BLET News
BLE rallies against remote controlled locomotives in Washington State
In temperatures over 100 degrees, locomotive engineers rallied yesterday against the use of remote control technology. The rally, held in conjunction with the BLE’s International Western Convention, took place in front of the Westcoast Tri-Cities Hotel in Kennewick, Wash.
Congress approves Amtrak funding
In an agreement reached this afternoon, the U.S. Congress has voted to provide Amtrak with $205 million in supplemental funding to take it through to the end of the fiscal year.
News Analysis: AFL-CIO, Teamsters key to BLE Tex-Mex victory
In the wake of yesterday’s representation election victory on the Texas-Mexican Railway, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers President Don Hahs revealed portions of the BLE’s organizing strategy that made the campaign a success.
Tex Mex workers select BLE
A majority of workers on the Texas-Mexican Railway today selected the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as their designated collective bargaining representative in a National Mediation Board certified election.
BLE fatigue plan would improve safety, Hahs testifies
BLE President Don M. Hahs yesterday told the Senate’s Surface Transportation Subcommittee that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has created a fatigue counter-measure plan that would greatly improve safety in the railroad industry.
Hahs to testify at Senate rail safety hearing
BLE International President Don M. Hahs is scheduled to testify tomorrow at a hearing on railroad safety before the Senate’s Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee.
Statement by Teamsters General President Hoffa on UTU’s smear of BLE
The allegation by the unaffiliated United Transportation Union (UTU) that Locomotive Engineers crossed a Teamster picket line in Laredo July 3 is false and insupportable.
New fatigue countermeasures established in Canada
In a major step to eliminate fatigue-related accidents in the railway industry, the Canadian government has approved new work/rest guidelines for rail operating employees.
Hahs statement on Canada Day and Independence Day
Next week, all BLE members in the U.S. and Canada will take a day to celebrate the freedom that citizens of both nations enjoy. On July 1, Canadians will celebrate Canada Day, and on July 4, the U.S. will celebrate Independence Day. I would like to take this opportunity to wish every one a safe and happy holiday. But we must not forget the importance of what each of these holidays celebrate.
Hahs working to save Amtrak
BLE International President Don M. Hahs is working steadily to secure funding for Amtrak that will keep the national passenger railroad on track now and in the future.
