Rail Industry News
BNSF Q1 2024 earnings decline as coal volume plunges, intermodal traffic soars
BNSF Railway’s first-quarter earnings and revenue declined despite a 7% increase in freight volume.
Shippers express disappointment with STB reciprocal switching rule
The Surface Transportation Board’s reciprocal switching rule for inadequate rail service is a “missed opportunity,” the National Industrial Transportation League says.
What the proxy fight at Norfolk Southern means for railroad safety
Just more than a year after a massive derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train led to the release of tank cars full of toxic chemicals and increased attention to the issue of railroad safety, the control of the railroad is up for grabs at its annual meeting Thursday.
Union Pacific CEO advocates seamless border operations at Mexico gateways
Freight train operations across the U.S.-Mexican border should be as seamless as they are across the U.S.-Canadian border, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena told a shipper group last week.
NS shareholders to decide today whether to back investors who want to fire the CEO
Norfolk Southern shareholders will decide Thursday morning (May 9) whether to back an activist investor’s bid to take over the railroad’s board and replace management.
Train Dispatchers, FRA, BNSF partner on C3RS pilot program
In a win for rail safety and rail workers, the FRA announced that the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) and BNSF Railway will partner with FRA to join a pilot program of the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS).
STB’s Oberman sets May 10 date for retirement
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman announced that he will retire from the Board on May 10, 2024.
White House to nominate Clegg, Batory for Amtrak Board of Directors
President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Elaine Marie Clegg and Ronald L. Batory to be Members of the Amtrak Board of Directors.
NTSB issues preliminary report on UP track worker fatality
The NTSB report says the incident came after the victim walked near the tread on the south side of the excavator; the machine’s operator was in the process of moving ballast when the bucket struck the manager; he was pinned between the bucket and body of the machine, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
UP undermined FRA safety culture assessment
The meddling was so widespread across Union Pacific’s 23-state network that the Federal Railroad Administration had no choice but to suspend its safety assessment of the company.
Teamsters Canada members vote to authorize strike at CN, CPKC
Unless parties can reach an agreement, a work stoppage can occur as early as May 22, at 00:01.
Union Pacific’s Q1 2024 profit up 1% as railroad limits expenses
Union Pacific said it made $1.64 billion, or $2.69 per share, in the first quarter of 2024. That’s higher than last year’s $1.63 billion, or $.2.67 per share.
NS Q1 2024 earnings offer railroad a chance to defend its strategy ahead of control vote
Norfolk Southern confirmed the $53 million, or 23 cents per share, that it earned in the first quarter.
CPKC says longer hauls helped propel Q1 2024 earnings
On a combined basis — which estimates the effects of the CP-KCS merger as if it had become effective on Jan. 1, 2023, instead of April 14, 2023 — CPKC’s operating income was flat, at $1.2 billion, as revenue increased 2%, to $3.5 billion.
New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65
The BLET mourns the passing of Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ), a staunch advocate for rail safety who served as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.
Jury: BNSF contributed to 2 asbestos-related deaths in Montana
A federal jury on Monday said BNSF Railway contributed to the deaths of two people who were exposed to asbestos decades ago when tainted mining material was shipped through a Montana town where thousands have been sickened.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending April 13, 2024
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 466,463 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.5 percent compared with the same week last year.
CSX profit drops 10% in Q1 2024; CEO says Baltimore bridge collapse will reduce Q2 revenue by about $25 million per month
The railroad said on April 17 that it earned $893 million, or 46 cents per share, in the first three months of the year as it handled 3% more freight. That’s down from $987 million, or 48 cents per share, a year ago.
BRC-TCU secures sick leave at CPKC
(Source: Transportation Communications Union press release, April 16, 2024) The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division (BRC-TCU) is proud to announce that a sick leave agreement has been reached with Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad (CPKC). This agreement is in...
STB ends probe of UP’s use of embargoes, but slams railroad’s “delay and obfuscation”
The Surface Transportation Board today closed the book on its investigation of Union Pacific’s record use of congestion-related embargoes in 2022 – but not before scolding the railroad for failing to comply with board orders and requests for information.
BLET News
FRA cracks down on the cross-border train operations thanks to outreach from BLET
On Friday, December 19, on an issue of great importance to BLET members and following direct outreach from BLET National President Mark Wallace, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is cracking down on...
BLET members in Jackson, Miss. and Memphis, Tenn. combine to donate over 270 bicycles to their communities this holiday season
BLET member Daniel Palin, who belongs to the Marine Corps League, accepts the Toys for Tots trophy on behalf of BLET Division 203 members in Jackson, Miss. ____________________ Congratulations to the Brothers and Sisters of BLET Division 203 (Jackson, Miss.) and...
New Jersey: Merry Christmas from BLET Division 601
In the cab of Conrail’s 2025 Santa Train, from left: Chris Barany, his children Cordelia and Christopher, Phil Burgos, and conductor Gene Zebrowski. _____________________ The members of Division 601 helped spread holiday cheer throughout North Jersey on December 20....
BLET Education & Training Dept.: Refresher courses via Zoom help Secretary-Treasurers with end-of-year requirements and new payroll application launching January 1, 2026
The BLET Education & Training Department conducted two Zoom-based Secretary-Treasurer refresher training sessions December 16-18 to help subordinate officers prepare for end-of-year requirements and to provide instruction for a new payroll application that will...
It’s on to the governor’s desk as New Jersey state legislature passes BLET-backed rail safety bill
From left: Brother Arias and Brother Vigil ____________________ A BLET-backed rail safety bill is now headed to the governor’s desk in New Jersey after an overwhelming majority of the state’s Senate and Assembly Members voted to approve the measure on the evening of...
Replacement ballots now available for BLET-NYSW contract vote
BLET members who work at the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW) are currently voting on a tentative agreement. Ballots will be counted on Monday, December 29. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the National Division to have...
Tentative National Agreement: Telephone hotline to request a replacement ballot opens on December 22
The dedicated voicemail line to request replacement ballots for voting on the tentative national agreement will open Monday morning, December 22. Eligible BLET members who have not received a ballot by Monday should request a replacement by calling the BLET National...
Division 269 honors retirees, presents Engineer of the Year award to Eric Ramos, at its 58th annual Dinner Dance
From left: LIRR General Chairman Gil Lang, Superintendent of Engine Service Kevin Flynn, Engineer of the Year Eric Ramos, and Division 269 President Karl Bischoff. ____________________ BLET Division 269 and the Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment...
Regulatory Win: The U.S. government cracks down on the cross-border operations of UP and CPKC
Today, on an issue of importance to BLET members and following direct outreach from BLET National President Mark Wallace, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration is cracking down on the cross-border train operations of both Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited. The FRA has determined that a lack of basic English language proficiency exhibited by Mexican train crews operating trains into the United States for the two railroads poses a serious safety risk.
RRB announces Tier I and Tier II tax adjustments for 2026; Also, Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles will increase
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) announced this month that the amounts of compensation subject to Railroad Retirement Tier I and Tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2026, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. The Tier I tax rate on...
