July 24, 2025 | Amtrak, FRA, News, Top News
House Appropriations Committee Republicans last week released the draft fiscal year 2026 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies funding bill. The BLET is keeping a close eye on the proceedings as the proposed legislation...
July 1, 2025 | DOT, FRA, News, Technology, Top News
BMWED President Tony Cardwell testified before members of Congress this week about the potential dangers of over-reliance on technology. ____________________ BLET members rely on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) investigations to hold railroads accountable, but...
June 25, 2025 | DOT, FRA, Headlines, Railroad Safety
(Source: Freight Waves, June 24, 2025) Rail unions are raising concerns about the Trump administration’s plan to roll back protections for federal inspectors and investigators put in place in 2021 that they say could increase safety risks in the rail industry. The...
May 30, 2025 | 2-man Crews, FRA, News, Top News
David Fink responds to questions during the Senate Commerce Committee’s confirmation hearing on May 13. ____________________ David Fink, the Trump administration’s nominee as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), testified that he would...
May 2, 2025 | CPKC, FRA, Headlines, Railroad Safety
(Source: Trains.com, May 1, 2025) Canadian Pacific Kansas City executives say they are encouraged by discussions with the Federal Railroad Administration about rolling out new track and train inspection technology. Railroads are permitted unlimited use of automated...
April 15, 2025 | Amtrak, DOT, FRA, Headlines, High Speed Rail
(Source: Texas Tribune, April 15, 2025) President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday terminated a federal grant to help fund a long-sought high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston — saying that if the embattled project moves forward, it will have to do so...
March 7, 2025 | DOT, FRA, High Speed Rail, News, Top News
According to a recent survey, a majority of Californians support the state’s high-speed rail project. Image: California High-Speed Rail Authority ____________________ DOT Secretary Sean Duffy recently ordered the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct a...
March 3, 2025 | FRA, Headlines
(Source: Trains.com, March 3, 2025) Disbursement of funds from grants awarded under a variety of Federal Railroad Administration continue to be held up by a lengthy approval process involving FRA personnel. These investments are threatened by potential staff...
February 6, 2025 | Amtrak, DOT, FRA, Headlines
(Source: Trains.com, February 4, 2025) If you thought Federal Railroad Administration grant programs for things like passenger service, shortline track maintenance, and grade crossing elimination projects would be the least likely place to become a front in the...
January 22, 2025 | East Palestine-NS, FRA, Headlines, Organizing, Railroad Safety, Remote Control
(Source: Bloomberg, January 16, 2025) The Federal Railroad Administration is eyeing a test of a self-driving train car on Georgia railroads, which has sparked similar outrage from union leaders who are still reeling from the East Palestine train derailment, where...
