Train & engine service employees at the Temple & Central Texas Railway (TC) voted unanimously to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board (NMB) on July 22. It mark’s the union’s 17th short line organizing win since 2023.
TC is a subsidiary of Patriot Rail and operates over 10 miles of track in Temple, Texas, interchanging with the BNSF Railway. Patriot Rail operates 31 regional and short line freight railroads throughout the United States. It is the second Patriot Rail property to be organized by BLET. Utah Central is the other, and BLET’s Utah Central membership ratified their first union contract earlier this year.
BLET National Vice President James Logan, who heads the BLET Organizing Department, said the TC workers sought BLET representation because they want the power and backing of the BLET to help them secure better pay and benefits, improvements to working conditions, and an enforceable union contract. Logan welcomed the TC members into the Brotherhood and said work will begin immediately to appoint a Grievance Committee and to negotiate an agreement.
Logan led the organizing drive with assistance from BLET Director of Short Lines Luke Myers and Special Representatives Jorge Gomez and Brian Terpening.
Other recent BLET organizing wins include the Northern Ohio & Western Railway (June 2026), Austin Western Railroad (February 2026), and the Dakota & Iowa (D&I) Railroad (December 2025).
Locomotive photo by David Hawkins