Rail Industry News
FRA issues safety advisory in wake of UP collision in Texas
The Federal Railroad Administration issued a safety advisory this week in the aftermath of an April collision and derailment on Union Pacific that involved a misaligned hand-throw switch.
CPKC releases selected combined historical data; begins reporting consolidated weekly data
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today released selected combined historical financial information for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 reflecting CPKC results as if the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern had occurred as at Jan. 1, 2022.
TTD President testifies on rail supply chain issues
“The Class I railroads have strayed from the traditional operating model of a service industry that responds to the demands and needs of its customers… Instead, the Class I railroads seek to generate the highest possible profits through the lowest possible operating ratios. To achieve these profits, railroads have stripped rail networks of their physical and human capital.”
Rail safety bill passes Senate committee amid Republican resistance
The 16-11 vote Wednesday on the Railway Safety Act fell mostly along party lines. Senate Republicans Eric Schmitt of Missouri and J. D. Vance of Ohio voted in favor of the bill.
NTSB investigating NS derailment 20 miles from East Palestine
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday it is investigating the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train near New Castle, Pennsylvania, the latest incident involving the railroad.
“Same sh*t, different day,” says Sen. Fetterman after yet another NS derailment
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman on Thursday demanded accountability for Norfolk Southern and other railroad companies following Wednesday night’s freight train derailment in Lawrence County, Pa.
CP-KCS merger means more hazardous materials shipped along upper Mississippi River
A recently completed merger between two of the country’s top-tier rail lines will send more trains along the upper Mississippi River — and in some areas, thousands more carloads of hazardous materials.
Suburban Chicago communities appeal federal approval of CP, KCS merger
The petition was filed with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the CPKC merger, citing concerns about possible future train derailments.
CSX crash in Tennessee sends 3 train cars into creek
According to Tipton County Sheriff’s Department, around 4:20 a.m., a CSX train derailed while carrying nine loaded railcars with grain products.
CPKC now offering daily intermodal service between Midwest, Mexico
This latest offering, which CPKC says will be “the first truck-competitive, single-line rail service option between the Midwest and Mexico,” comes as competing Class I railroads aim to bolster their own transcontinental offerings.
BLET engineers protest SEPTA use of managers
Regional Rail engineers say SEPTA has little incentive to hire more engineers because, for years, managers have been earning stipends by filling the shifts of engineers who have left for other jobs.
NJ Transit engineers demand contract
About 30 off-duty BLET members made their voices heard outside of a NJ Transit Board of Directors meeting on May 10. Their public protest included an inflatable, cigar smoking pig and chants of “millions for penthouse views, not a dime for train crews.”
Senate Commerce Committee OKs Railway Safety Act of 2023
A Senate committee on Wednesday approved a rail-safety bill introduced after the derailment of a freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, but its fate remains uncertain due to significant Republican opposition.
NTSB issues preliminary report on UP accident in Texas that left 2 crew members seriously injured
No railcars were carrying hazardous materials. Two crewmembers aboard train GSHFCC 15 were seriously injured.
North American rail volume decline continues through first 18 weeks of 2023
Through the first 18 weeks of 2023, total North American carload and intermodal traffic dipped 4% from the same point last year.
9 cars from NS train derail in PA, about 20 miles from East Palestine
A Norfolk Southern train derailed late Wednesday in New Castle, Pennsylvania, 20 miles from East Palestine.
Tacoma man charged with felony for oil-train derailment in Washington
The defendant was charged in Pierce County Superior Court with malicious injury to railroad property, a felony. The incident caused one BNSF Railway train car to derail. The car stayed upright, and there was no oil spill.
Latest FRA Safety Bulletin aims to increase awareness of hand-operated main track switches
Following a train collision that occurred on April 16 involving a misaligned switch, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released a Safety Bulletin to remind railroads about ways to “ensure safe operation of hand-operated main track switches.”
BRS members at Amtrak ratify new collective bargaining agreement
On May 5, 2023, BRS members working at Amtrak ratified a new collective bargaining agreement.
NS creates fund to offset loss of home value near East Palestine wreck
Norfolk Southern has unveiled plans to create a fund for residents near the site of an Ohio train wreck that would cover any decline in home values since a derailment earlier this year.
BLET News
California: BLET reaches tentative agreement with PHL
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Pacific Harbor Line (PHL). Ballots for a vote on a tentative agreement governing rates of pay for approximately 150 members were mailed on Friday, June 21. If ratified by the membership, the agreement would run...
East Palestine: NTSB to announce final findings, probable cause, and recommendations
On Tuesday, June 25, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a public meeting regarding the 2023 East Palestine train derailment and subsequent hazardous material release and fires. During the hearing, NTSB board members will vote on the findings,...
Minnesota: BLET will now have a seat at the table on governor’s Freight Rail Council
Governor Tim Walz (front row, blue tie) was the guest of honor at the Minnesota SLB quadrennial meeting in 2023. He recently named Chairman Joel Mueller (front row, center) to the governor's Freight Rail Council. _____________________ Minnesota lawmakers adopted two...
Deluzio appointed to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, pictured here at a recent roundtable discussion on rail safety, had many constituents in his Pennsylvania district affected by the derailment in East Palestine. ______________________ U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) has been appointed to the...
Wyoming: BLET Division 103 marks 155th anniversary
Division 103 members pose with their original charter which they presented to the Wyoming State Archives. ____________________ BLET Division 103 is celebrating its 155th anniversary. The Division is the oldest, still active union in the state of Wyoming. It was...
Evans reelected General Chairman of CN-IC GCA
Newly reelected GC Billy Evans (front row, center) with the members of the CN-IC GCA. ____________________ William (Billy) Evans was reelected to his third term of office as General Chairman of the BLET’s CN-IC General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial...
Study finds that derailment risk increases as trains get longer
A recent academic study by researchers from Brigham Young University, Georgetown University, and Virginia Tech found that the risk of derailment increases with train length. The study, which analyzed FRA data from 2013-2022, found that a 200-car freight train is 24%...
Obituary: Retired BLET General Chairman Tony Smith
Retired BLET General Chairman Tony Smith, who served the CSXT Eastern Lines GCA for 22 years, passed away on June 15, 2024. He was 71 years old. He is survived by his wife Ann, sons Bryant and Anthony and grandson Sam. Tony and Ann were married for 48 years. Brother...
Indiana Harbor Belt: BLET Members show solidarity amid attempted raid
BLET Division 682 members working at the Indiana Harbor Belt (IHB) have been dealing with a raid from SMART-TD, which has been acting increasingly desperate due to continued membership losses. On June 12, at Hammond, IN, nearly 50 BLET members and officers gathered...
Organizing win in Arizona: Railroaders abandoned by SMART-TD vote to join the BLET
The Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER) train and engine service employees have voted to join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), becoming the newest members of BLET, the nation’s oldest union. The election was certified on June 13 by the National...
