Rail Industry News
CSX rekindles its relationship with venerable Dash-8 locomotives
After selling or retiring its roster of more than 100 General Electric C40-8 locomotives, CSX Transportation once again owns the late-1980s era Dash-8 standard cab locomotive through its June 1 acquisition of Pan Am Railways.
Virginia’s new rail plan unfolding
The statewide rail plan is updated every four years, with 2018 being the last time the state published its long-range plan.
Q&A: Comparison of benefits under Railroad Retirement and Social Security
The following questions and answers show the differences in railroad retirement and social security benefits payable at the close of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. They also show the differences in age requirements and payroll taxes under the two systems.
Class Is report slight uptick in July employment levels
Year over year, the category of transportation (train and engine) was up 1.59%.
FRA seeks comment on proposal to codify train crew size requirements
The Federal Railroad Administration is requesting public comment on a proposed rule that would require at least two crew members for most trains.
AFL-CIO kicks off Labor Day early with detailed political plan
The plan features massive from-the-ground-up member-driven involvement, including a feedback loop where workers’ recommendations will adjust the federation’s issue priorities between now and Election Day, and afterwards, President Liz Shuler said.
Can high-speed rail finally become a reality in the U.S.?
We are closer than ever before to the start of experiencing meaningful progress.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending August 20, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 501,548 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.1 percent compared with the same week last year.
Rail traffic uptick for the week ending August 20
For the week ending Aug. 20, 2022, U.S. rail traffic was up 0.1% over the same week last year; total carloads came in 2.9% higher while intermodal volume continued its downward trend, dipping 2.4%.
Freight railroads, Amtrak ask for more time for Gulf Coast mediation
The parties in the dispute over Amtrak’s effort to launch Gulf Coast service have asked the Surface Transportation Board to extend the period for board-sponsored mediation by 30 days.
For the third time in a year, a freight train derails at the same spot in Tacoma
For the third time in a year, a freight train passing near the Port of Tacoma derailed, knocking down power lines and blocking traffic in the surrounding area Wednesday afternoon.
TSB issues safety recommendations following 2019 CN derailment investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is calling for Transport Canada and the Canadian rail industry to expedite the implementation of automated train control systems and to develop and implement formal crew resource management training, following its investigation of the 2019 CN train collision and derailment in Manitoba.
NTSB investigating Amtrak train, UP maintenance machine collision
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a collision that occurred July 15 between an Amtrak train and a Union Pacific Railroad roadway maintenance machine in Oakland, California.
The world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger trains are here
The future of environmentally friendly travel might just be here — and it’s Germany that’s leading the charge, with the first ever rail line to be entirely run on hydrogen-powered trains, starting from Wednesday.
Chemical shippers say freight rail service still lacking
A number of chemical shippers still face significant rail service disruptions despite freight railroads’ efforts to improve, according to recent statements from the American Chemistry Council (ACC).
Camanche residents rail against CP, KCS merger
The city of Camanche, population 4,570 at the 2020 census, turned down a $200,000 offer from Canadian Pacific, which is asking for federal regulatory approval to merge with Kansas City Southern.
UP logs volume uptick, adds rail cars to support demand
With its volumes up 2% so far this quarter, Union Pacific Railroad has pulled nearly 3,000 of its own rail cars out of storage to begin adding unit trainsets to support customer demand.
High-speed rail board completes environmental clearance in Northern California
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors today certified the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIR/EIS) and approved the approximately 43-mile project for the San Francisco to San Jose section.
Canada’s TSB publishes 2021-22 Safety Year in Review
In accordance with subsection 13(3) of the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has submitted its Annual Report to Parliament for the period covering April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Judge rules civil lawsuits can move forward after Amtrak derailment near Mendon, Mo.
A judge has ruled multiple civil lawsuits can proceed in court after the deadly Amtrak derailment near Mendon, Missouri in June.
BLET News
BLET National Division launches improved website
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, February 7 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has launched a new and improved website, www.ble-t.org. The redesigned website features a fresh look, daily news, improved navigation for easy access, an enhanced members-only...
Two online hazmat training classes for rail workers available in February, March
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, February 2 — The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program, is offering two virtual classes in February and March 2022: a 10-hour OSHA General Industry Course and an 8-hour DOT...
BLET and SMART-TD seek immediate federal government investigation of carrier attendance policies
CLEVELAND, Ohio, (February 1, 2022) — By letter dated January 31, 2022, BLET and SMART-TD are seeking review by both the Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Transportation of all Class I attendance policies. In a joint letter to Labor Secretary Martin Walsh...
Update in BLET, SMART-TD attendance dispute at BNSF
BLET and SMART-TD on January 27 filed answers and counterclaims in the District Court seeking a Preliminary Injunction and Permanent Injunction against implementation of the BNSF’s Hi-Viz Policy.
BLET to conduct virtual training for Local Chairman
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 25 — The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct two virtual training classes for Local Chairman via Zoom from the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Classes will be held February 22-24, 2022, and March...
Rail Labor’s largest coalition reaches dead end on path to voluntary agreement
After more than two years of bargaining with the major U.S. Class 1 railroads, discussions completely stalled last week.Accordingly, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Railway Labor Act, top leaders of 10 rail unions applied to theNational Mediation Board (NMB) for the assignment of a federal mediator to assist in our negotiations.
BLET to host virtual training for LM-2 filers
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division, or State Legislative Board. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this workshop will be held virtually on March 1-3, 2022.
Pierce appoints Luke Myers to President’s Staff
A native of Colorado, Brother Myers will serve the National Division as Director of Bylaws Administration out of the union’s headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Brother Myers hired out as a trainman with the BNSF, on January 7, 2002, and earned promotion to locomotive engineer on October 8, 2005.
BLET members ratify new contract with New York & Atlantic Railway
In a tremendous show of support for the union, nearly 91% of eligible voters cast ballots, with nearly two-thirds approving the new contract, which runs through December 31, 2026.
SMART-TD and BLET rail unions initiate steps to strike BNSF properties over new “Hi-Viz” attendance policy punishing sick rail workers during the pandemic
CLEVELAND, Ohio, January 13 — Yesterday, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation union (SMART-TD) who work for the BNSF...
