Rail Industry News
Trump fires STB Board member Robert Primus
Primus, a Democrat, was appointed by Trump in 2020.
Citing lives at risk, BLET urges UP to allow trail to stunning waterfall in Northern California
(Source: Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2025) About 10 times each day, giant freight trains pass along a narrow section of track along the Sacramento River in far Northern California where engineers on the locomotives regularly tense up with stress. “Every single time,...
BNSF reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 5, 2025) BNSF Railway Co. recently reported second-quarter revenue of $5.7 billion, which was flat compared with second-quarter 2024’s mark. The Class I’s operating income and net income in the quarter climbed 19%...
OSHA orders UP to reinstate engineer, provide $300K in back pay
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor press release, August 6, 2025) DALLAS – A federal whistleblower investigation found that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a railroad engineer after the employee reported and sought...
Wheeling & Lake Erie sold for $1.05 billion
(Railfan & Railroad Magazine, August 7, 2025) The Wheeling & Lake Erie, the over 800-mile regional railroad that runs through Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, is being sold to FTAI Infrastructure, Inc., for $1.05 billion. Once approved by...
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announce plans to create America’s first transcontinental railroad
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 29, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced an agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad. These legendary companies will seamlessly connect over 50,000 route miles...
CPKC reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Kansas City press release, July 30, 2025) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its second-quarter results, including revenues of $3.7 billion, diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.33 and core adjusted diluted EPS1 of $1.12....
CSX reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: CSX press release, July 23, 2025) CSX Corp. announced second quarter 2025 operating income of $1.28 billion compared to $1.45 billion in the prior year period. Net income was $829 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $963 million, or $0.49 per...
Norfolk Southern reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 29, 2025) Norfolk Southern Corporation announced its second quarter 2025 financial results. For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, operating ratio was 62.2%, and diluted...
Union Pacific reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 24, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 second quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.15 per diluted share. Results compare to 2024 second quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.74 per diluted share. Second...
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern discuss merger to create transcontinental railroad, AP source says
To be approved, any major rail merger must show it will enhance competition and serve the public interest.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issues warning about end-of-train device vulnerability
The federal government cybersecurity agency has issued a warning that the EOT could be vulnerable to computer hackers, especially those seeking to take control of the train’s air brake system.
Trump administration pulls $4 billion in federal funding for California’s bullet train project
Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project’s funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state.
SEPTA board approves budget with 45% service cuts
“This budget will effectively dismantle SEPTA — leaving the City and region without the frequent, reliable transit service that has been an engine of economic growth, mobility, and opportunity,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.
BLET Auxiliary: Now available: “Taking Charge,” a survival guide for railroad families
Members of the BLET Auxiliary were busy selling raffle tickets at the Daytona Beach Regional. From left: Jodi Wallace, Chris Baldwin, Kat Bisbikis, Rachel Pharris, and Natalie Miller. ____________________ Kat Bisbikis, National President of the BLET Auxiliary,...
General President Sean O’Brien highlights list of Teamster speakers during Eastern Regional Meeting
IBT General President Sean O'Brien: “Our members are changing the game. Setting the standard. Improving the lives of their fellow Teamsters all across the country.” ____________________ Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien addressed BLET members during a rousing...
Rail unions warn DOT rollbacks could jeopardize train safety
Labor concerned about potential new power to fire FRA inspectors
June 2025 RRB Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
A new unemployment and sickness benefit year – the twelve-month period during which the RRB makes benefit payments for days of unemployment and sickness to eligible railroad employees – generally begins each July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next year.
CPKC system cutover triggers service woes in some former KCS locations
Localized congestion, delays, and shipper frustrations follow tech switchover in Louisiana, east Texas, and Mississippi
Smuggling arrest raises questions about Mexican crews moving trains into Texas
Some U.S. workers see Mexican crews bringing trains into South Texas as a threat to American jobs and border security.
BLET News
In a letter to The Washington Post, BLET National President slams attack on Vice President J.D. Vance for supporting rail safety
BLET National President Mark Wallace in a letter-to-the-editor challenged a hit piece published as a guest editorial in The Washington Post. The commentary written by an executive at the advocacy group Advancing American Freedom attacks Vice President J.D. Vance for...
Trumble reelected State Legislative Board Chairman
Seated (left to right): Rob Majchszak, Div. 850; Chris Smith, Div. 920; B.J. Trumble, Chairman; Bryan Marenger, Div. 185; and Dominic DeSanto, Div. 1. Standing (left to right): Tim Coppess, Div. 33; Ryan Morris, Div. 2; Jason Carrier, Div. 122; Lee Lovelette, Div. 19;...
Members still have time to request replacement ballots to vote on tentative agreements at Utah Central and Tacoma Rail
BLET members are continuing to vote on two tentative agreements: one with the Utah Central Railway and another with the Tacoma Municipal Belt Railway (Tacoma Rail). Eligible members who have not received a ratification packet by this time should immediately request a...
BLET holds first meeting at newly-organized Austin Western Railroad
The BLET held an inaugural meeting for its newest members at the Austin Western Railroad on March 21, less than a month after securing an organizing win at the Texas-based short line railroad. National Vice President James Logan Jr., BLET’s Director of Organizing, and...
BLET Safety Task Force: Two major Union Pacific derailments under investigation
The BLET Safety Task Force has received Party Status from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist with investigations into two Union Pacific derailments that occurred recently: one that resulted in an ethanol leak in Richmond, Texas, on March 18; and...
Keep the momentum going and tell lawmakers that rail workers deserve no tax on overtime
Last week, the BLET and Teamsters Rail Conference launched a petition in support of the No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act (H.R. 5475) with the goal of securing at least 8,000 signatures. The proposed bill would provide BLET members and all rail workers with the...
Railroad Retirement Board Q&A: The importance of a current connection
A “current connection” is the term the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) uses to describe a railroad employee’s maintenance of a relationship to the railroad industry. Basically, it is demonstrated by an employee having earned 12 months of railroad service in a 30-month...
U.S. DOT calls on Congress to pass Railway Safety Act of 2026
President Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation formally called on members of Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act of 2026, according to a report published by Bloomberg Government on March 12. A DOT spokeswoman is quoted telling Bloomberg, “President Trump...
BLET announces tentative agreements with two short line railroads, including a significant first at Utah Central
The BLET has reached tentative agreements with two short line railroads: the Utah Central Railway and the Tacoma Municipal Belt Railway (Tacoma Rail). Utah Central The Utah Central tentative agreement is significant. If ratified, it would represent a first-ever union...
Members discuss UP-NS merger at 12th annual Kansas City Hub meeting
Front row, from left: Joe Ferris, LC Div. 152; Jeff Jones, LC Div. 609; Kevin Sexton, BLET VP; Chris Mullin, LC Div. 336; Mark Wallace, National President; Dave Estes, National S-T.; Gary Best, First VP; Joey Rice, LC Div. 81; Tim Morgan, Missouri SLB Chairman; and...
