Rail Industry News
U.S. DOT denies permit for LNG-by-rail move
The U.S. Department of Transportation has turned down a request for a permit to transport liquefied natural gas by rail from Pennsylvania to a terminal on the Delaware River.
The next East Palestine? U.S. neighborhoods brace for huge increase in train traffic as CPKC merger takes effect
Traffic is expected to at least quadruple as the trains haul anything from agricultural commodities to coal and the same dangerous chemicals that devasted East Palestine, Ohio, in February.
Carloads up, intermodal down for week ending April 22, 2023
Total rail traffic was 480,457 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.5% compared with the prior-year period.
CPKC says Q1 2023 earnings rose ahead of merger
Fresh from a historic merger, Canadian Pacific Kansas City president and CEO Keith Creel says the company is focused on a disciplined integration into a railway network that he believes will become “the most relevant in North America.”
New CPKC Chicago-Mexico intermodal service to debut May 11
Daily hotshots 180 and 181 will link Chicago with Laredo, Texas; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mexico City.
Senate panel advances Su for Labor Secretary
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted along party lines (11-10) Wednesday to advance Julie Su’s nomination to be Labor secretary, with several senators’ floor votes still in question.
NS eyes service improvements in back half of 2023
Norfolk Southern officials are hoping for service improvements in the second half of 2023 following a first half marred by a number of prominent train derailments, most notably the February derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, of rail cars carrying vinyl chloride.
California to vote on ambitious locomotive emission rule
Every day, locomotives pull rail cars filled with food, lumber, oil and other products through railyards near neighborhoods in Oakland, Commerce, San Bernadino and other California cities.
Editorial: Norfolk Southern must do right by East Palestine
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw has reiterated his pledge to “do the right thing” in East Palestine, but thus far, not enough has been done to help the community or to improve safety at the railroad.
NS reports Q1 2023 income; Says East Palestine derailment cost it $387 million
Norfolk Southern said a February derailment that released massive amounts of toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, cost the railroad $387 million.
CN says rail traffic shows recession has already started
Canadian National Railway Co. said the flow of consumer goods across its network is slowing down to the point that executives now believe North America is in a “mild recession.”
CN raises earnings outlook despite weakening economy
CN said it expects an economic downtown, but won’t furlough train crews so that the railway will be ready to handle an eventual rebound in traffic.
CPKC adds second major intermodal customer for new Chicago-Mexico service
Knight-Swift will shift its U.S.-Mexico intermodal traffic from Union Pacific to CPKC’s new single-line route beginning in May.
Management incentives at CSX, NS and UP shift toward service and growth
The publicly traded U.S. Class I railroads are putting more of an emphasis on service and volume growth in the annual incentive plans they offer to their executives.
STB schedules hearing in coal mine’s complaint against BNSF
The Surface Transportation Board will hold a hearing next month to consider a Powder River Basin coal producer’s request for an emergency service order that would require BNSF Railway to handle more volume from the Spring Creek Mine in Montana.
UP train derails in Kansas grade-crossing accident
The train’s crew as not injured, but the truck driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Amazon drivers join Teamsters, reach agreement in historic victory
In a historic first, Amazon drivers and dispatchers in Palmdale, Calif., have joined the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and reached a strong tentative agreement containing a multitude of workplace improvements.
CN reports Q1 2023 financial results
In the first quarter of 2023, CN reported revenues of C$4.313 billion, up C$605 million or 16% from first-quarter 2022’s C$3.708 billion.
3 railroads join up to compete with CPKC to serve Mexico
Canadian National, Union Pacific and Grupo Mexico railroads said Monday that they will work together to quickly move intermodal cars filled with shipping containers from Mexico north across the United States to the key hub of Chicago and further north into Canada.
Class I employment increase continued in March
Year over year, the number of transportation (train and engine) employees increased 7.03%.
BLET News
Arizona: Division 28 hosts National Division officers for Division meeting, Old Timers Picnic
It was a week for union conversations and also camaraderie for members and officers of BLET Division 28 in Tucson, Arizona. On April 18, the Division hosted National President Eddie A. Hall, First Vice President Mark L. Wallace, National Vice President Gary D. Best,...
Get involved: Join us in Kansas City June 3-7
Brothers and Sisters, I am writing to personally invite you and your family to attend this year’s Western Regional Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. The meeting will take place the week of June 3 at the Marriott, Kansas City Downtown. Our Education and Training...
Brightline West groundbreaking: “Full speed ahead” with Rail Labor on board
On April 22, Brightline West officially broke ground on its Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail system. The 218-mile route will be constructed within the median of the I-15 highway with zero grade crossings, and is based on Brightline’s business model of...
Nevada BLET member encourages Colorado lawmakers to support rail safety bill
Drawing on his experience in lobbying for a rail safety bill in Nevada, BLET Division 766 (Las Vegas) member Jason Doering is using the media to urge legislators in Colorado to support a rail safety bill. Brother Doering’s opinion column was published in the Colorado...
FRA two-person crew regulation: Teamsters say regulators should resist industry push for single pilot cockpits
As rail labor unions celebrated the Federal Railroad Administration’s new regulation requiring two-person crews on freight trains, airline pilot unions raised the question: Can the same policy continue for aircrafts? While current U.S. regulations require two pilots...
Register today! Hotel reservations must be made by May 3 for BLET’s Kansas City regional meeting
BLET members are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible for the Western Regional Meeting, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, the week of June 3, 2024. Hotel room reservations must be made by May 3, 2024. The meeting will be held at the...
BLET announces creation of the New England Legislative Board
New England Legislative Board Chairman Dan Cadogan _____________________ The BLET is proud to announce the formation of the New England Legislative Board (NELB). It was established earlier this year to acknowledge the regionalization and expansion of the former...
Colorado: Thanks to BLET effort and testimony, rail safety bill advances in state legislature
Colorado State Legislative Board Chairman Paul Pearson ___________________ Colorado BLET members are working hard to secure passage of a major rail safety bill in the state’s legislature. BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative Vince Verna, BLET...
Social media: Get connected with the BLET
The BLET National Division is investing more time and resources into its various social media outlets. It is the best place to go to get the latest news. Click the link below to get connected! In 2023, the BLET launched this Weekly News Recap, a quick-hitting list of...
Register now for BLET’s Kansas City regional meeting
Registration is now open for the BLET’s Western Regional Meeting, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, the week of June 3, 2024. Guests will stay at the Marriott Kansas City Downtown (200 West 12th St., Kansas City, MO, 65105, telephone: (816) 421-6800)....
