Rail Industry News
CP derailment knocks out power to Field, B.C.
(Source: CBC News, January 26, 2021) FIELD, B.C. — A train derailment near Field, B.C., has knocked out power to the village. CP Rail confirmed that a grain train derailed west of the village at 1:40 a.m. MT on Tuesday. Nobody was injured, a spokesperson said. CP said...
Biden administration vows Gulf Coast visit regarding Amtrak revival
(Source: www.al.com, January 27, 2021) MOBILE, Ala. — President Joe Biden took thousands of train trips between his Delaware home and Washington, D.C., when he was in the Senate, earning him the title “Amtrak Joe.” Full story: www.al.com
Amtrak CEO Flynn outlines railroad’s legislative priorities
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 27, 2021) Amtrak Chief Executive Officer Bill Flynn is urging Congress to support five legislative priorities that would help the national intercity passenger railroad recover from the pandemic's economic fallout and expand...
U.S. weekly coal carloads rise to six week high
(Source: S&P Global Platts, January 27, 2021) HOUSTON — U.S. coal carload originations rose to a six-week high 63,474 in the week that ended Jan. 23, up 10.1% from the 57,665 a week earlier, according to a Jan. 27 report from the Association of American Railroads....
AAR: Intermodal lifts total traffic as carloads play catch-up
(Source: Railway Age, January 27, 2021) NEW YORK — An intermodal gain approaching a whopping 20% coupled to a modest decrease in carload traffic, compared to 2020, drove a rail freight traffic increase of nearly 10% for Week 3 of 2021, the Association of American...
CP’s Q4 2020 operating ratio hits record low
(Source: Freight Waves, January 27, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Canadian Pacific reached a record low operating ratio (OR) in the fourth quarter of 2020: 53.9% compared with 57% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Investors sometimes use OR to gauge the financial health of...
CN cautious about Q1 2021, but bullish about second half of the year
(Source: Freight Waves, January 27, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Although CN is looking forward to an improved economy in the second half of 2021, uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine rollout are making the Canadian railway “cautious” about...
Norfolk Southern eyes longer, heavier trains as it pursues PSR
(Source: Freight Waves, January 27, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern has begun to focus more on lengthening trains and increasing train weights as a way to keep costs down and increase network productivity, according to executives on the company’s...
New OmniTrax CEO touts role of rail, port
(Source: Effingham Now, January 26, 2021) DENVER — The new CEO of OmniTrax says the company will bring more rail-served industry to Georgia. Full story: www.savannahnow.com
Intermodal carloads up 12% but railroads struggle with trip plan compliance
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, January 26, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroads benefited in the back half of 2020, as imports surged and retailers restocked shelves. Volume for traditional commodities, such as coal, slumped on the rail lines in 2020, but intermodal grew,...
Amtrak CEO’s letter to Congress outlines top five priorities
(Source: Global Railway Review, January 27, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bill Flynn, Amtrak CEO, has written to Congress outlining the national railroad’s top five priorities as it looks to improve and expand rail services across the U.S. Full story: Global Railway...
Rep. Payne of N.J. voted Chairman of House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials
(Source: Insider NJ, January 26, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. became the chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee today for the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. It oversees the economic...
Ice, unclear rules cited in fatal accident of rail worker in Edmundston
(Source: CBC News, January 26, 2021) MONTREAL — Rules open to interpretation and ice interfering with brakes contributed to a fatal accident at the Edmundston CN rail yard that left a an employee pinned between two rail cars. Pierre-Luc "Sune" Levesque, 33, died at...
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference statement on TSB report into death of member Pierre-Luc Levesque
(Source: Teamsters Canada Rail Conference press release, January 26, 2021) LAVAL, Quebec — On January 26, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released its report into the accident which took the life of Brother Pierre-Luc Levesque, a CN conductor/foreman trainee, in...
CN releases Q4 and full year 2020 results
(Source: CN press release, January 26, 2021) MONTREAL — CN is proud to announce that its diluted earnings per share (EPS) grew 17 per cent, and 14 per cent on an adjusted basis in the fourth quarter, while free cash flow for the full-year 2020 reached a record of over...
Norfolk Southern reports fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, January 27, 2021) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 financial results. Fourth-quarter net income was $671 million, diluted earnings per share were $2.64, and the...
Operation Lifesaver releases online train safety game for kids
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, January 25, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver Inc., (OLI), the national rail safety non-profit, today releases its first interactive online educational game to help kids make safe choices around railroad tracks...
Amtrak pledges support to Montana rail authority in quest for passenger service
(Source: Missoula Current, January 25, 2021) MISSOULA, Mont. — Amtrak will provide guidance and support to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority as it works to restore service across the southern tier of Montana, an agency representative said last week. Full story:...
Amtrak seeks contractor interest in New Carrollton project
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 25, 2021) Amtrak is accepting letters of interest from contractors until Feb. 15 for construction work at New Carrollton Station in Maryland. Full story: Progressive Railroading
New agreement allows BNSF Bismarck bridge project to move forward
(Source: Bismarck Tribune, January 25, 2021) BISMARCK, N.D. — The future of the Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge spanning the Missouri River has a clearer path forward in an agreement between parties with a stake in the structure. Full story: Bismarck Tribune
BLET News
BLET, Teamsters seek help for members impacted by Sandy
The BLET New Jersey State Legislative Board, in conjunction with Teamsters Joint Council No. 73, is soliciting donations to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Mark your calendars for 2013 BLET regional meetings
BLET members looking to combine educational opportunities with family fun should consider attending one of the Organization’s four regional meetings in 2013.
BLET Job Bank: Montana Rail Link
Montana Rail Link has contacted the BLET National Division to advise that the railroad is hiring between 15-20 certified locomotive engineers. Applications are being accepted through December 12, 2012.
Veterans Day 2012
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Earlier this year, I had the honor of attending the BLET’s Southwestern Convention Meeting in Galveston, Texas. The convention’s opening ceremony was on the 11th anniversary of 9-11, and all in attendance participated in a solemn remembrance for those innocent lives lost during the worst terrorist attack in American history.
Improved vision care plan coming for members in 2013
The BLET National Division is pleased to announce details regarding an improved vision care plan for members beginning next year.
Election Day is over, but our work has just begun
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has issued an Action Alert asking members to urge their Members of Congress to vote “no” on extending the Bush-era tax cuts.
$500 Disaster Grants available to Help Union Plus program participants impacted by Hurricane Sandy
Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help eligible participants in the Union Plus Credit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs who are facing financial hardship due to the disaster. The money does not have to be repaid. Funds are limited to the nearly $370,000 available in the Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund.
Congratulations Mr. President, and thank you Brothers and Sisters
To the BLET membership, I want to offer my most heartfelt thanks … for paying attention, for taking the time to understand the issues that impact our future, and for becoming involved.
Teamsters offer Sandy disaster relief assistance in New York, New Jersey; Revised deadline for Connecticut
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in New York and New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy caused major damage to homes and property on October 29, 2012. Also, the deadline to apply for previously-announced benefits in the state of Connecticut has been extended by 30 days.
BLET Job Bank: CN hiring qualified engineers along Illinois Central territory
CN has vacancies for qualified Locomotive Engineers at: Fulton, Ky., Memphis, Tenn., Jackson, Miss. and Baton Rouge, La.
