Rail Industry News
Rail traffic down for 18th week in a row
For the week ending June 25, 2022 (Week 25), U.S. rail traffic was 493,374 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.4% from the prior-year period.
Is the perfect storm brewing for railroad and port logistics failures?
Rail and port workers in the U.S. and Canada are in the midst of contract negotiations, and a failure to come to an agreement could be a disaster for West Coast ports and railroads.
NTSB investigation of Amtrak Southwest Chief derailment under way
The NTSB reported that the train was traveling at 89 mph “when the horn blew, which was a quarter-mile out from the crossing,” and at 87 mph at the time of impact. The area speed limit: 90 mph.
Before fatal Missouri Amtrak crash, county alerted MoDOT and BNSF about brush blocking views
For more than two-and-a-half years, the Chariton County Commission has tried to get concerns about the safety of the Porche Prairie Avenue railroad crossing addressed, but BNSF and the Missouri Department of Transportation were largely unresponsive to those concerns.
New York state increases transit worker protections against assault
The legislation increases to second-degree assault the law that charges individuals who attack or harass transit workers.
Downeaster ridership bounces back to near-2019 levels
So far this month, Downeaster passenger trains are carrying 94% as many riders as in June 2019, before the pandemic.
BNSF car backlog hits North Dakota
BNSF’s backlog in the Peace Garden State is at 2,752 cars, which is down 3,600 cars from last month.
Six years after deadly train collision, memorial unveiled in Panhandle, Texas
A memorial was unveiled in Panhandle on Tuesday, six years after a deadly train collision. Placed at the crash site, the new memorial honors Lara Taylor, Kenneth “KP” Smith and Cody Owens.
4th person has died following Missouri Amtrak derailment
The dead — three passengers and the truck driver — have not been identified.
BNSF, MoDOT have conflicting stories about safety upgrades planned at deadly crossing
The Missouri Department of Transportation and BNSF Railway on Tuesday revealed conflicting stories regarding the process to bring safety improvements to a train crossing at the site of Monday’s fatal Amtrak derailment in northern Missouri.
Missouri Amtrak derailment may worsen supply chain delays
One of Missouri’s busiest railroad lines is shut down after an Amtrak train struck a dump truck and derailed Monday afternoon, killing four people. The incident and subsequent investigation has potential to delay supply chains.
A passenger recounts the moment Amtrak train derailed: “It was hell on Earth”
A passenger on board the Amtrak train that crashed into a truck and derailed in Missouri on Monday, killing four people, has described the accident as “hell on Earth.”
Congested Port of Oakland slashing free wait time for import containers
On July 1, Oakland is reducing the tariff-free time from seven days to four days to reduce congestion on its marine terminal, and may raise penalties for containers that sit for too long.
Canada’s TSB reassesses outstanding rail safety recommendations
TSB railway investigations include occurrences that take place on federally regulated track anywhere in Canada and touch on such subjects as operational decision making, risk management, component failure, supervision, metallurgy and track-train dynamics.
3 dead, multiple hurt as Amtrak’s Southwest Chief derails
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train 4 traveling eastbound from Los Angeles to Chicago on June 27 derailed after striking a dump truck obstructing a public highway/rail grade crossing in Missouri.
BNSF aims to prevent Fourth of July meltdown by limiting traffic bound for California
BNSF Railway’s decision to meter a broad range of carload traffic bound for California beginning next week is aimed at preventing congestion from worsening on the busy Southern Transcon during the Fourth of July holiday period when many crews mark off.
NS, PennDOT deal expands passenger train service in Western Pa.
The state announced Monday that a deal had been reached to expand passenger access to railroads in Western Pennsylvania and add a second daily route between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
Texas Central wins court ruling, but railroad’s future is uncertain
The Texas Supreme Court has affirmed by a 5-3 vote that Texas Central Railroad is an interurban electric railway company, which allows it to exercise the right of eminent domain, the High Speed Rail Alliance reported late last week.
NS kicks off new operating plan
Norfolk Southern Railway today announced the official launch of TOP|SPG, the Class I’s latest operating plan.
Beset by congestion, BNSF to limit carload traffic bound for California
BNSF’s recrew rate was much higher along the Southern Transcon, which across New Mexico, Arizona, and into Southern California carries more than 80 trains per day and is the busiest freight railroad in North America. BNSF recrewed 19.9% of its trains on the California Division and 22.5% on the neighboring Southwest Division.
BLET News
Members can view RRB pre-retirement seminar information online
The Office of the Labor Member had announced that the RRB””””s 2021 Pre-Retirement Seminar presentation is now available to view online.
Open enrollment for the BLET Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
The BLET is constantly searching for ways to add value to our membership, through initiatives like our Benefits of Belonging Program. The BLET Critical Illness (CI) and Accident Insurance (ACC) Plan has been an important part of that program. We are pleased to inform you that the Open Enrollment for these important benefits has begun and is open to all active, dues paying members of the BLET and their families.
Registration open for BLET’s Nashville regional meeting, August 2-6, 2021
The BLET is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its second regional meeting of 2021, which will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, August 2-6, 2021. CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols will be strictly enforced to protect the health and safety of everyone in attendance.
BLET to mark 158th anniversary on May 8
On May 8, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will mark its 158th anniversary. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863. In 1864, the union changed its name to Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), the name it retained for 140 years until merging with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on January 1, 2004, when it became the BLET. The BLET is the oldest labor union in the Western Hemisphere.
Two online hazmat training classes for rail workers available in May
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is offering two virtual class in May: a Disaster Recovery/Response Course; and a DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security Course.
Registration open for BLET’s Austin regional meeting, July 12-16, 2021
The BLET is pleased to announce the resumption of its regional meeting program with a meeting in Austin, Texas, July 12-16, 2021. CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols will be strictly enforced to protect the health and safety of everyone in attendance.
C. George Hainsworth, former BLE Canadian Director, 1928-2021
Charles George Hainsworth, who served the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) as Canadian Director, International Vice President and National Legislative Representative-Canada, passed away peacefully at his home on April 1, 2021, with family by his side. He was 92 years old.
Workers’ Memorial Day 2021
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Workers’ Memorial Day is a time for all workers to remember and honor those who have lost their lives in the workplace, and to stand up to protect those on the job today.
BLET, New Jersey Transit contract talks in federal mediation
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a Division of the Teamsters Rail Conference, is being assisted by a federal mediator from the National Mediation Board (NMB) in contract negotiations with the New Jersey Transit (NJT), pursuant to Section 5, First, of the Railway Labor Act.
Nevada Governor honors America’s railroaders
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has issued a proclamation praising America’s railroaders, declaring Wednesday, April 28, 2021, as “A Day In Honor of Railroad Workers.”
