Rail Industry News
New York governor Hochul calls for rail safety regulations after vetoing the state’s 2-person crew bill
In the wake of the recent train derailment and toxic chemical release in East Palestine, Ohio, Governor Kathy Hochul called on the federal government to enact stricter regulations on hazmat trains and said that safety is her top priority.
Ohio residents suing NS press judged to block it from destroying crash evidence
Ohio residents who filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern over the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials through East Palestine urged a judge on Monday to block the company from destroying evidence related to the crash.
EPA tells NS where to dispose of derailment’s contaminated waste
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has told Norfolk Southern where to dispose of waste from the site of the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in part because of concerns elsewhere about having it deposited in their communities.
“Railroads have just had too much power,” Buttigieg says after Ohio train disaster
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday pledged to hold American freight railroads to stricter standards in the wake of a train disaster in Ohio last month and Republican criticism of the Biden administration’s response.
Norfolk Southern backs out of East Palestine town hall meeting
Rail operator Norfolk Southern did not attend the gathering, citing safety concerns for its staff.
A week after evacuations lifted, East Palestine residents pack meeting to express doubts about safety
Nearly two weeks after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the eastern Ohio village of East Palestine and sparked a massive dayslong blaze, residents packed a high school gym Wednesday for a meeting with officials all demanding the same thing: answers.
Excess weight and length caused train to break down in days before it derailed in Ohio, employees say
When Norfolk Southern train 32N derailed in Ohio earlier this month, it was not the first time it had experienced problems on the route.
East Palestine derailment could bring cancer risk, millions in damage
Nearly two weeks after a train carrying carcinogenic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, the extent of the damage to the nearby community is still unclear.
NJ Transit engineers are ready to strike over their wages, BLET says
Locomotive engineers are upset with a salary offer from NJ Transit and may start voting with their feet, either by taking jobs with other commuter railroads that pay more, or going on strike, BLET said.
FRA adds $2.2 billion to intercity passenger rail grant funding
The Federal Railroad Administration yesterday announced an additional $2.2 billion in funding is being made available for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program.
STB rejects Foster Farms’ emergency service order request
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Feb. 14 denied “as moot” the petition for an emergency service order by Foster Poultry Farms (Foster Farms).
Norfolk Southern train derailment likely to have minimal impact on shareholders
Despite a roughly 6% drop in share price since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in a plume of smoke near the Ohio and Pennsylvania border on Feb. 3, the company’s value is predicted to quickly rebound for investors.
Ohio considers lawsuit against Norfolk Southern
A notice of intent from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost claims the state may be taking legal actions against Norfolk Southern in connection to the train derailment that took place earlier this month.
Rail industry resists TSA efforts to boost cybersecurity
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) “believe regulation is not required…” as the TSA advances a NPRM regarding cyber risk management.
Health concerns grow in East Palestine after derailment
An evacuation order was lifted on Wednesday and since then, there have been a growing number of reports about people experiencing a burning sensation in their eyes, animals falling ill and a strong odor lingering in the town.
Pennsylvania governor critical of Norfolk Southern’s “poor handling” of derailment response
After meeting with local emergency management officials, Gov. Josh Shapiro has released an open letter criticizing Norfolk Southern Railway for their response to the incident.
Ohio governor calls on D.C. to address “absurd” train regulations after toxic derailment
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is calling on Congress to re-examine some federal railroad regulations, after the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials in his state triggered an explosion that sent toxic chemicals into the air and nearby waterways.
Rail workers say the industry courts derailments in its quest for profits
As public outrage has grown over the toxic fallout from last week’s fiery derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, the urgent questions behind this disaster echo the past year’s confrontations over working conditions in the lightly regulated rail industry. It drives home the steep costs in health and well-being that we all incur when we fail to heed rail workers’ calls for more regulation and adequate staffing mandates.
Freight rail companies are running their trains ragged to boost profits. Sometimes they crash
Meanwhile, according to the EPA, trace amounts of the chemicals aboard the Norfolk Southern train have been identified in the Ohio River and along the creeks sprouting off the river.
Editorial: Rail safety in question following Ohio derailment
The derailment of a Norfolk Southern train at East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3 has some people wondering if railroads’ cutbacks in personnel and push toward efficiency has come at the expense of safety of rail workers and communities along their tracks.
BLET News
McCann retires, Dowell elected president as Train Dispatchers conclude 34th General Assembly
Ed Dowell (center) was elected President of the ATDA during its 34th General Assembly on October 17, 2023. He is pictured here along with ATDA's Executive Board and General Counsel. _____________________ The BLET sends congratulations to Brother Ed Dowell, who was...
BLET launches strike vote for locomotive engineers at SEPTA
This morning, National President Eddie Hall announced that BLET members will conduct a strike vote at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA).
Mid-Term Meeting for NS-Northern Lines GCA
The Norfolk Southern-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment held its Mid-Term Meeting at BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio, on October 17-18, 2023. The GCA represents about 3,500 active and retired members. Officers from approximately...
Fatal BNSF derailment leads lawmakers to call for more rail safety measures
A truck driver was killed in this October 16 BNSF derailment in Pueblo, Colorado.Photo: Pueblo County Sheriff's Office _______________________ Rail safety laws are receiving renewed attention after a truck driver was killed in a BNSF derailment near Pueblo, Colorado,...
Tennessee: Garland reelected State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother Gregg S. Garland (pictured, left), a member of BLET Division 41 (Nashville, Tenn.), was reelected to his second term as Chairman of the Tennessee State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Nashville, Tenn., October 3-5, 2023. The Tennessee State...
Troy Martin reelected General Chairman of BNSF (former C&S, CRIP/JTD, FWD) GCA
Troy R. Martin was elected to the office of General Chairman at the BNSF (former C&S, CRIP/JTD, FWD) General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 10, 2023. The GCA represents approximately 600 active and retired members...
BLET presses FRA for Emergency Order on excessive train length
Citing numerous recent accidents caused in part by excessively long trains, the BLET has urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to issue an Emergency Order establishing a maximum train length of 7,500 feet on the nation’s Class I railroads. BLET National...
BLET Safety Task Force members complete hazmat training
Front row, from left: Roberto Grajeda, BNSF (Colorado); Dan Cadogen, Keolis (Massachusetts); Ken Abell, BNSF (California); Howie Allington, BNSF (Washington); Nick Silva, BMWED; and Dewayne Dehart, Norfolk Southern (Indiana). Back row, from left: D.B. Kenner, BNSF...
Michigan: Rail safety bills gaining steam
Brother B.J. Trumble (pictured above), Chairman of the BLET’s Michigan State Legislative Board, reports that three important rail safety bills are advancing in the Michigan House of Representatives. The three bills (No. 4915, No. 4917 and No. 4918) would establish the...
Kansas becomes 10th state with two-person crew law
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly implemented an administrative rule on October 11, which mandates two-person train crews. Gov. Kelly told the Associated Press that two-person crews “will protect workers from the effects of fatigue, prevent train derailments, and reduce...
