Rail Industry News
Former BNSF conductor speaks out after being awarded over $1.5 million
(Source: KPUG, June 1, 2016) BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A former railroad conductor awarded more than 1.5 million dollars after BNSF fired him, now he’s speaking out. Full story: www.kpug1170.com
UP issues 2015 annual report
(Source: Union Pacific press release, June 1, 2016) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad highlights progress toward the company's safety, social, environmental and economic sustainability goals in its 2015 Building America Report. "The Building America Report captures...
In the Southern California desert, residents grow weary of high-speed rail
(Source: National Public Radio, June 1, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — High-Speed rail is moving slowly in California. Voters approved a bullet train linking San Francisco and Los Angeles back in 2008. Since then, there have been challenges - cost overruns, lawsuits,...
Railroads aim to pull more freight off the highway
(Source: Progressive Railroading magazine, June 2016 issue, June 1, 2016) As trucking companies and their drivers face increasing regulation, the potential for moving freight off the highways and onto rail lines continues to grow. For railroads, the challenge in part...
Legislation would keep rail profits in Northeast
(Source: Hartford Courant, June 1, 2016) HARTFORD, Conn. — Calling it a matter of fundamental fairness, the state's Congressional delegation is celebrating legislation that would ensure profits from Amtrak's popular Northeast Corridor line are not siphoned off to fund...
MBTA hopes to save $25 million with buyouts, voluntary retirements
(Source: Associated Press, June 2, 2016) BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is hoping to use a voluntary retirement program and other incentives to reduce its staffing level by 300 workers — a move aimed at saving the public transit agency about...
Montana Supreme Court ruling a win for injured rail workers, FELA
(Source: Associated Press, June 1, 2016) HELENA, Mont. — Injured railroad workers may file lawsuits against their employers in Montana, even if they weren't hurt here and they are not residents of the state, the Montana Supreme Court ruled. Congress granted railroad...
Analyst: CP Rail’s ‘questionable’ accounting responsible for record operating ratio
(Source: Financial Post, June 1, 2016) OTTAWA — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. was praised for ongoing improvements in its operating ratios and the resulting margin gains, but one analyst believes these are largely due to “questionable” accounting practices. Full...
Metro-North engineers, conductors suspended for cheating on safety test
(Source: The Journal News, June 1, 2016) WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — As many as 10 Metro-North conductors and engineers were suspended from their jobs last week amid an MTA Inspector's General probe into cheating on safety tests, the Journal News has learned. Full story:...
UP plans Idaho infrastructure improvements
(Source: Union Pacific press release, May 31, 2016) ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Union Pacific plans to invest $35.8 million in 2016 to improve Idaho's transportation infrastructure. The company's multi-million dollar private investment will enhance employee, community and...
French railways disrupted as government tries to limit strikes
(Source: Bloomberg, June 1, 2016) PARIS — French commuters faced disruptions Wednesday from striking rail workers as President Francois Hollande sought to contain labor unrest that has already caused some gas stations to run dry over the past week. Full story:...
Washington state’s oil train rules under review
(Source: The Herald, May 31, 2016) EVERETT, Wash. — A year after Gov. Jay Inslee signed an oil train safety bill into law, the state Department of Ecology is working toward finally putting it into practice. Full story: www.heraldnet.com
Teamsters Joint Council 43 lends a helping hand to Flint
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, May 27, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The city of Flint, Mich. is facing difficult times. In the wake of its water crisis, getting access to drinking water was a top need, and Teamsters from Massachusetts to...
Watchdogs seek answers after fire hobbles Metro-North
(Source: Hartford Courant, May 31, 2016) NEW HAVEN, Conn. — In the aftermath of a massive fire May 17 that crippled Metro-North traffic between Manhattan and Connecticut, public officials and passenger advocates are pressing for better emergency communications by the...
Harrisburg fire chief demands meeting with Norfolk Southern after derailment
(Source: PennLive, May 31, 2016) HARRISBURG, Pa. — Nine empty freight cars derailed in downtown Harrisburg Tuesday along a curve in the railroad tracks near the Amtrak train station. The city's fire officials learned about the derailment from PennLive, prompting Fire...
FRA investigates death of conductor at Royal Gorge scenic railroad
(Source: Denver Post, May 31, 2016) DENVER — The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating a fatal accident Saturday that killed a conductor who fell from the Royal Gorge scenic railroad train and was run over. Full story: Denver Post
Canada’s TSB flags rail safety concerns amid surge in runaway trains
(Source: Globe and Mail, May 31, 2016) TORONTO — The Transportation Safety Board is concerned about a sharp increase in runaway trains and equipment in the rail industry last year, and believes Transport Canada hasn’t done enough to improve safety procedures in the...
Amtrak chief visits Modesto to talk about adding trains
(Source: Modesto Bee, May 31, 2016) MODESTO, Calif. — Amtrak’s boss rode his official train into Modesto to talk about upgrading its San Joaquin Corridor. Full story and video: Modesto Bee
Striking Verizon workers rewarded for their unity
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, May 31, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some 40,000 unionized Verizon workers prevailed in their battle to protect jobs, wages and benefits when the Communications Workers of America and the International...
UP to make Iowa infrastructure improvements
(Source: Union Pacific press release, May 27, 2016) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific plans to invest $37.5 million in 2016 to improve Iowa's transportation infrastructure. The company's multi-million dollar private investment will enhance employee, community and customer...
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