Rail Industry News
BNSF train derails in Seattle, hits power station
A BNSF train carrying empty shipping containers derailed in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood Monday night, colliding with a Seattle City Light power station and downing several power lines. No injuries were reported.
Woman who tampered with BNSF train tracks to be released next month
The federal case against a Bellingham woman responsible for placing shunts along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad in November 2020 has officially closed, ending the two-year saga that brought questions of ecoterrorism and an underground anarchist collective to Whatcom County.
With PTC in place, railroads see new benefits, more possibilities
Implementing positive train control was a long, costly process for the railroad industry. Now that it’s in place, the people who know it best — the communications and signal specialists — are finding there are a lot of benefits to the technology beyond its primary purpose of accident prevention.
KCS, CN offer first looks at 2023 capital plans
It is probably no surprise that, as KCS’s north-south main line becomes a focal point in its pending merger with Canadian Pacific, that route is also front and center in its capital spending plans for 2023.
Metra unveils train tracking system for several Chicago-area lines
Metra has officially announced the initial rollout of a new train tracking system that will allow commuters to get up-to-date departure times, real-time mapping of trains and the ability to plan out trips within the system.
2-person crew bill reintroduced in Nebraska legislature
North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson, appointed last February and elected Nov. 8, took on an effort to require at least two people on train crews for his first official bill.
UP, CP led Class I railroads in growth in 2022
Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific were the only major Class I railroads to show volume growth in 2022. UP took the crown among the top six systems, with its overall traffic up 2%. CP’s growth was 1.7%.
AAR reports rail traffic for December and the week ending December 31, 2022
Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in December 2022 were 1,742,384, down 4.8 percent, or 87,583 carloads and intermodal units from December 2021.
NS holds steady with 2023 capital plans
The railroad is at a “steady state” in basics such as rail and tie replacement, meaning its goals for 2023 are similar to 2022.
Federal report sheds little light on impact of PSR
Railroaders and inspectors told the GAO that the combination of fewer maintenance employees and a focus on moving trains out of yards as quickly as possible has resulted in railroads deferring maintenance on track and equipment, the report says.
During 2022, U.S. experienced rail volume decline while Canada and Mexico saw increases
For the week ending Dec. 31 (Week 52), North American rail volume was down 8% compared with the same week last year.
Union Pacific continues to embargo traffic in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin
UP said in a Dec. 29 customer advisory that it expected the embargo to remain in effect for at least 14 days.
U.S. judge scraps CSX jury trial in antitrust case against rival NS
A U.S. judge in Virginia on Tuesday blocked freight carrier CSX Transportation Inc from pursuing federal antitrust claims alleging a top rail industry rival has cost it hundreds of millions of dollars in damages in lost customer contracts.
KCS looking to hire conductors in Pittsburg
Kansas City Sothern today hosted a hiring event at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Pittsburg, Kan.
Rail manufacturer Wabtec discloses data breach after ransomware attack
Wabtec says hackers breached their network and installed malware on specific systems as early as March 15, 2022.
TCRC members ratify new contract with CN
The agreement came into effect on January 1, 2023 and includes adjustments to wages of 3% in 2023, 3% in 2024 and 2.5% in 2025 and other benefits. The agreement is in effect until December 31, 2025.
NS to announce Q4 2022 results on January 25
Norfolk Southern will announce its fourth quarter financial results during a live conference call and internet webcast at 8:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
Expect to hear more about rail service issues, train crew size in 2023
Union members want to maintain having a locomotive engineer and train conductor inside the locomotive cab. Freight railroads want the ability to explore alternative arrangements where a conductor would be based on the ground; doing so could help with future recruiting efforts, the railroads argue.
Union Pacific ordered to fix service to Foster Farms
The Surface Transportation Board wants Union Pacific to address the service issues raised by UP customer Foster Poultry Farms in California.
Clean hydrogen developer Bakken Energy announces alliance with BNSF
Bakken Energy, an innovative developer of affordable clean hydrogen, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with BNSF Railway to work together on the design of the Heartland Hydrogen Hub, specifically the role of railways as consumers and transporters of clean hydrogen.
BLET News
BLET and Norfolk Southern reach first deal on engineer paid sick leave
The BLET and Norfolk Southern announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement to provide up to seven paid sick days per year to BLET members. The agreement will provide Norfolk Southern engineers with five new days of paid sick leave per year while also offering them the flexibility to use up to two additional days of existing paid time off as sick leave.
NASLBC 2023 meeting kicks off with speech from President Hall
Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) opened their 48th annual meeting here earlier today, welcoming speeches from the BLET National Division Executive Committee and the BLET Auxiliary.
BLET members ratify new contract with South Buffalo Railway
On May 5, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the South Buffalo Railway (SBRR).
BLET marks 160th anniversary on May 8
Today, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) marks its 160th anniversary. The BLET and its members are proud of our heritage as the oldest labor union in North America.
Governor Walz talks rail safety at BLET Minnesota legislative board meeting
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz focused on rail safety as the guest of honor at the BLET Minnesota State Legislative Board’s quadrennial meeting in Bloomington, Minn., April 23-26, 2023.
BLET seeks applicants for National Legislative Office position
The deadline for applicants is May 15, 2023.
BNSF-ATSF General Committee of Adjustment holds two training classes
At the request of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former AT&SF) General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), the BLET National Division assisted with training classes in Fort Worth, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona last week. The training event was organized by BNSF-ATSF...
Ben Wright elected Chairman of Texas State Legislative Board
With nearly 40 delegates in attendance, on Monday, April 17, 2023, Benjamin L. Wright of Division 189 (Saginaw, Texas) was elected as the new Chairman of the BLET’s Texas State Legislative Board (TX SLB) during the Board’s 16th quadrennial meeting in Austin, Texas. In addition, Brother Scott Piekarski of Division 620 (Fort Worth) was reelected by acclamation to his fourth term as Secretary-Treasurer.
BLET Auxiliary Raffle
The National BLET Auxiliary is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a Solo Stove Bonfire. It is a stainless steel smokeless fire pit built for the backyard and beyond. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by going to www.bletauxiliary.net. The drawing will be...
National General Chairmen’s Association concludes annual meeting
Paid sick leave and rail safety were among the topics of discussion as members of the BLET’s National General Chairmen’s Association (NGCA) concluded their annual meeting, which was held at the BLET National Division headquarters on April 12.
