Rail Industry News
President Biden announces nearly $5 billion for major transportation projects nationwide
Funding announced today will support 37 projects across the country, including $28 million for the Elko Nevada Rail Corridor Enhancement project in Nevada. The project will make improvements on the Union Pacific Railroad at the Elko Yard. Track improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced signal infrastructure will reduce an average of 2.5 hours of delay per freight train using the corridor.
AAR: North American rail volume down through first three weeks for 2024
Through the first three weeks of 2024 (ending Jan. 20), total North American carload and intermodal traffic dipped 5.6% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported.
Amtrak Virginia reports ridership record for 2023
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced that more than 1.32 million passengers traveled on its state-supported Amtrak Virginia rail service in 2023, up 29.8% year over year.
BNSF announces 2024 capital investment plan
The largest component of this year’s capital plan, $2.88 billion, is devoted to maintaining BNSF’s core network and related assets.
A strange 21st-Century revival: The train robbery
Edward A. Hall, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, has 28 years of seniority as a locomotive engineer for Union Pacific, first in El Paso, Texas, but mostly out of Tucson, Ariz. He described what it was like to be inside a train during a heist.
Railroad safety bill introduced in the wake of multiple derailments in Colorado
A new train safety bill in the Colorado legislature, if passed, would require railroads to be equipped with more safety features, limit the length and weight of trains carrying hazardous materials and will also limit the time that trains can block major intersections while passing.
Podcast: Remembering East Palestine’s train derailment and rail safety updates
President of the Transportation Trades Department, Greg Regan, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the first anniversary of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and what political leaders are doing to create change in the industry.
DOT approves $2.5 billion in private activity bonds allocation for Brightline West project
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced the approval of $2.5 billion in private activity bonds authority allocated for the Brightline West High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail project connecting Las Vegas, Nevada, and Southern California. The 218-mile, high-speed rail line will primarily run along the I-15 median with trains capable of reaching 186 mph or more, cutting the trip to two hours – half the time to travel by car.
House T&I Committee reviews freight rail hazards
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials met on January 18 to discuss the oversight of railroad grade crossing elimination and safety issues.
STB seeks answers for delay on Gulf Coast settlement
The Surface Transportation Board has called for Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Port of Mobile, Ala., to provide “detailed information regarding the status of the implementation of the settlement agreement” agreed to in November 2022 to allow Amtrak service to begin between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. — and scheduled a February hearing to address the matter.
California high-speed rail sparks billions in economic benefit
New data released by the California High-Speed Rail Authority shows investments in this first-in-the-nation project are continuing to provide billions in economic benefit to the state.
The sad but important story of Lincoln’s funeral train procession
He was transported by train over a route that mimicked an important trip during the president’s life — his inaugural journey.
Rail CEOs believe conditions are better headed into next round of labor negotiations
A lot has happened, since Class I railroads averted a strike in 2022. CEOs and other officials at the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Winter Meeting were happy to point to progress in labor relations.
North American rail volume down through Week 2 of 2024
Through the first two weeks of 2024 (ending Jan. 13), total North American carload and intermodal traffic was down 1.5% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 17.
FRA seeks public comment on proposed autonomous railcar test program
The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking public comments on Genesee & Wyoming short lines’ request to test Parallel Systems autonomous, self-propelled battery-electric freight cars.
Podcast: STB’s Oberman takes railroads to task on service
Appropriate staffing levels will be critical for the railroad industry to make further progress at improving service levels, especially as volumes appear poised for growth this year.
How the CP-KCS merger has shaken up the industry
Last year’s merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern, the two smallest Class I systems, has turned out to be the little spark that has ignited a lot of railroad competition.
Tense moments, but no disaster, after train stalls on CPKC’s Rutledge Hill in Iowa
After a few tense minutes, the BNSF train cleared the diamond and the CPKC crew was able to bring Kansas City-St. Paul train 251 to a stop just 20 feet from the diamond.
NS trains delaying first responders in Albers, Illinois
Albers Mayor Steve Schomaker and Police Chief Brian Vielweber said that trains now take 15, 20, even 25 minutes to pass through town. First responders have to wait for them like everyone else, with potentially tragic consequences. Such a situation arose last Thursday afternoon.
Shop craft unions urge FRA, STB to improve Class I railroad safety and service
A coalition of labor unions representing railroad shop workers has asked the Federal Railroad Administration and Surface Transportation Board to take five steps to improve safety and service on the Class I railroads.
BLET News
PEB 253 recommends raises and back pay for BLET members at LIRR
On October 17, Presidential Emergency Board No. 253 (PEB) announced its recommendations in the contract dispute between the coalition of unions (including BLET) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). That PEB recommended raises with full retroactive pay for all...
Local Chairman class Q&A: Three training class participants encourage others to attend
In mid-October, the BLET Education and Training Department hosted a training class for Local Chairmen at National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Three in-person workshop participants shared their thoughts about the experience. Jeffery Green represents...
PEB 253 expected to issue recommendations today in BLET-LIRR contract dispute
The BLET presented a strong case on behalf of its members as Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 253 held formal hearings last week in the contract dispute between BLET along with several other unions and the Long Island Rail Road. It is expected that the PEB will...
Wisconsin: Lieutenant Governor joins annual BLET Team Building Session
BLET members at the Wisconsin State Legislative Board's 2025 Team Building Session. ____________________ The BLET Wisconsin State Legislative Board (WI SLB) hosted a team building session during the week of September 29. Chuck Schulz, Chairman of the WI SLB, said the...
BLET members build solidarity at state AFL-CIO convention
Officers of the BLET Nebraska SLB (front row, from left): Travis Kuenning, 1st Vice Chairman, Adam Hausman, Chairman, and Sonny Fankhauser, 2nd Vice Chairman. Back row, from left: Dustin Mintling, LR of Division 623; and Brad Gerdts Secretary-Treasurer. ...
Local Chairmen complete training workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department last week completed a hybrid training class for Local Chairmen, with over 30 members participating who represent members from eight railroads and 16 General Committees across the country. The lead instructors were BLET Vice...
Senate confirms David Fink as 16th FRA Administrator
The U.S. Senate has confirmed David Fink, the former CEO of Pan Am Railways, as the 16th Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). He was part of a block of 107 nominees who were confirmed in a 51-47 party-line vote on October 7. During his Senate...
Movement is being restricted near Santa Teresa, NM to secure the border — why should UP be allowed to operate trains with Mexican nationals there?
U.S. military personnel posting restricted access signs along the border in Santa Teresa, N.M. The area has essentially become a military base. CBS News image ____________________ Does this make any sense? This week, CBS News reported on how the border area near Santa...
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Chicago comedian asks, “Public transit can be many things — but is it funny?”
According to the Chicago Tribune, public transportation can be many things — convenient, frustrating, cost-effective and a guaranteed way to encounter a cross section of the city’s population — but is it funny? Chicago’s Second City Theater hosted an “educomedy”...
