Rail Industry News
Mexico invites CPKC to participate in rail projects
Mexico is seeking to incorporate Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) into three projects.
BNSF rebuilds one bridge, begins another in NW
Progress is well under way on structural upgrades to BNSF’s 119-year-old Bridge 3.9A over Lake Pend Oreille outside Sandpoint, Idaho.
CN CEO says its long-train strategy is out; running to schedule is in
Canadian National executives on Wednesday dissected the long-train strategy that the railway has cast aside in favor of an operating plan where sticking to schedule is gospel.
Governor advancing two-person crew rule in Kansas
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is proposing a new rule that would require trains traveling through the state have at least two crew members on board.
After CSXT antitrust lawsuit fizzles, rail rivals demand legal fees
Norfolk Southern Railway Co and another freight carrier that were sued by CSX Transportation Inc over its push for access to a key East Coast marine terminal have asked a U.S. court to award them legal fees for defeating their rival’s antitrust claims.
Teamsters challenge Amazon at National Labor Relations Board
Teamsters Joint Council 42 and Teamsters Local 396 have filed an unfair labor practice charge against Amazon for unlawfully threatening workers’ jobs and failing to recognize and bargain with the union.
April rail traffic remains below 2022 levels
U.S. freight rail traffic in April was down 6% from the same month in 2022, a slight improvement over the previous month, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads.
Bipartisan support shown for new Pa. rail safety legislation
Three months after the Norfolk Southern train jumped the tracks and derailed the lives of hundreds, lawmakers are pushing a bill trying to make sure it never happens again.
NS provides 3-month post derailment cleanup report for East Palestine
To mark the three months since the toxic train derailment, Norfolk Southern provided an update Wednesday, May 3, on where the cleanup in East Palestine stands.
NS environmental consultant accused of “questionable practices”
WTAE Action News Investigates has learned the company doing environmental testing for the railroad has faced criticism after making similar assurances following previous disasters.
Sen. Brown meets with NS CEO over derailment frustrations
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown met with Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw in Washington on Thursday to voice his frustration with recovery efforts following February’s East Palestine train derailment.
CPKC and coal company to test hydrogen-fueled locomotives
Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Teck Resources will conduct a pilot program starting in early 2024 in which coal used in steel production will be transported from Teck’s mines in southeastern British Columbia to western ports using CPKC’s hydrogen locomotives.
Senators optimistic they can keep rail safety bill on track after East Palestine
Three months after the devastating East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, senators are optimistic they can pass a bipartisan rail safety bill to prevent similar disasters. The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday announced a May 10 markup of the bill, dubbed the Railway Safety Act.
U.S. chemical sector adds to calls for improved rail freight performance
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) wants regulations to help raise service levels, citing widespread disruptions to its members on account of poor performance.
AAR: For April, intermodal continues to suffer
According to AAR, U.S. Class I railroads in April 2023 hauled 1,881,950 carloads and intermodal units, comprising 936,637 carloads (up 1.8%) and 945,313 containers and trailers (down 12.7%).
Pa. House committee passes bill to tighten railroad regulations, boost union involvement in safety inspections
It would put into law the right of union representatives to be involved in safety inspections, a response to reports that workers’ safety complaints are not being follow-up on by rail companies.
Opinion: How Congress might get a bipartisan win on rail reform
However, it’s fair to say there’s room for improving the industry. Congress can help.
NYC’s $16 billion Gateway Tunnel wins key access at Hudson Yards
The construction of New York City’s new $16.1 billion rail tunnel took a major step forward Tuesday when the commission overseeing the project awarded a contract that preserves a key right-of-way.
Relying on luck rather than the law: Transport of hazmat by rail still a big, risky secret in Mass.
Each day, freight trains carry toxic and flammable material travel throughout Massachusetts – but local officials and emergency personnel don’t know what’s going through their community at any moment.
PATH ridership in Q1 2023 hit 59% of pre-pandemic levels
Ridership rose to 11.3 million in the quarter, 59% of ridership recorded in Q1 2019, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) officials said in a press release.
BLET News
FRA: Certification standards will be required for train dispatchers and signalmen
On May 20, the FRA published two final rules that will require railroads to develop certification standards and training programs for train dispatchers and signal workers. Unlike locomotive engineers, there have previously been no federal regulations mandating...
Amtrak: BLET helps kick off new Borealis service from St. Paul to Chicago
From left: Joel Mueller, BLET Minnesota SLB Chairman, Riley Richmond, BLET Division 27, and Chad Roehrich, BLET Midwest Regional Chairman-Amtrak GCA. _____________________ BLET member Riley Richmond worked as the locomotive engineer on the inaugural run of Amtrak’s...
On the Right Track: 2024 Triennial Election manual now online
The 2024 edition of “On the Right Track,” the Local Division nomination and election procedure manual, is now available for download from the Members’ Area of the BLET website and in the Document Library in UnionTrack. Copies were also mailed to Division Presidents,...
Teamsters Rail Conference: Mike Smith appointed new Director
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien has appointed Mike Smith to serve as the new Director of the Teamsters Rail Conference. Leaders of the BLET and BMWED were introduced to Brother Smith at a Rail Policy Committee meeting in Washington D.C. in May. In 2015, Smith...
Ohio: Trespasser incidents take a toll, NST Estes says
In an interview with Ohio’s Dayton Daily News, BLET National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes discussed the psychological trauma that locomotive engineers endure when they are involved in fatal pedestrian or vehicle incidents. It is an all-too-familiar scenario for...
Jerry Sturdivant reelected General Chairman of NS-Southern Lines GCA
General Chairman Jerry G. Sturdivant, Division 110, (Ludlow, Ky.), was reelected at the Norfolk Southern-Southern Lines GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Florence, Kentucky, on May 21, 2024. This is his third term of office. The Norfolk Southern-Southern Lines GCA...
Logan reelected General Chairman of UP-Southern Region GCA
Officers and guests at the Union Pacific-Southern Region GCA's quadrennial meeting on May 20. ____________________ James Logan Jr. of BLET Division 620 (Fort Worth, Texas) was reelected by acclamation to the office of General Chairman at the Union Pacific-Southern...
Iowa: Vote now to help daughter of BLET member in the Doodle for Google national competition
BLET Division 6 member Bryce A. Grail with his daughter Ella and her national finalist art piece. Vote for her at the link below! ____________________ The talented daughter of a BLET member could soon have her art on the Google homepage for hundreds of millions to...
Railroad Retirement Board Q&As: Providing answers to your important retirement questions
Many railroaders know that they can retire at age 60 with 30 years of service because of the Railroad Retirement Act. But did you know that if you do, you may need to increase your tax withholding when you turn 62? That’s one of the many important retirement topics...
Texas: Defending democracy in the Lone Star state
From left: Brother Piekarski, Brother Wright, U.S. Rep. Raskin (D-Md.), and Brother Dondero. ____________________ Members of the BLET’s Texas State Legislative Board (TXSLB) participated in a “Defend Democracy” dinner hosted by the Lone Star Project in Dallas on May...
