Rail Industry News
Why the U.S. isn’t in desperate need of the Keystone XL pipeline
(Source: CBC News, January 22, 2021) OTTAWA, Ontario — David Braziel, CEO of RBN Energy, an energy markets consultancy based in Houston, Texas, said that when the Keystone XL project was first announced, back in 2005, the U.S. was certainly in need of the additional...
Made in America executive order takes necessary steps toward strengthening economy
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, January 25, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Teamsters Union applauds President Biden’s efforts to reform and strengthen Buy American policies through the Made in America Executive Order signed today. The Made...
NTSB: Failed brake system caused 2018 fatality in Granite Canyon, Wyoming
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board press release, January 25, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board determined Monday that an airbrake failure caused the fatal, Oct. 4, 2018, collision between two Union Pacific trains in Granite...
1,500 gallons of diesel fuel spills at CSX yard in Nashville
(Source: News Channel 5, January 24, 2021) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A train's fuel tank ruptured and spilled around 1,500 gallons at a railyard Sunday afternoon. Full story: News Channel 5
6 train cars, 2 locomotives derail on bridge at CSX’s Queensgate Yard
(Source: Fox 19, January 24, 2021) CINCINNATI, Ohio — A portion of Gest Street in Queensgate remains closed after a train derailed on a CSX Railroad bridge early Sunday morning. Full story: www.fox19.com
KCS’s Q4 2020 net income rises 30%
(Source: Freight Waves, January 22, 2021) CHATTANOOG, Tenn. — Kansas City Southern’s net profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 rose 30% over a year ago despite a 5% decline in revenue. Fourth-quarter 2020 net income was $165.7 million, or $1.80 per diluted share,...
KCS eyes lower operating ratio
(Source: Freight Waves, January 23, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Kansas City Southern expects to execute the third phase of its version of precision scheduled railroading (PSR) this year in a bid to lower the company’s operating ratio (OR) to the mid-50s by 2022. Full...
KCS projecting double-digit growth in 2021
(Source: Trains.com, January 22, 2021) KANSAS CITY. Mo. — Kansas City Southern, which reported fourth-quarter and full-year earnings growth today, expects revenue to grow at least 11% this year as cross-border petroleum and intermodal traffic continue to soar. Full...
Coronavirus challenges CSX’s Q4 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, January 22, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — CSX is not only eyeing a volume recovery in 2021 but also a recovery from the coronavirus among its workforce. As COVID-19 cases spiked after Thanksgiving across the U.S., so too did the number of CSX...
Coronavirus infections hit KCS operations in Mexico
(Source: Trains.com, January 22, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The coronavirus pandemic has hit Kansas City Southern de Mexico particularly hard, with up to 15% of the railroad’s train crews out on leave due to COVID-19. On a typical day, about 5% of train crews systemwide...
Rail Labor says no carrier proposals worthy of consideration
(Source: Railway Age, January 22, 2021) NEW YORK — The rail unions comprising the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) involved in the current round of national negotiations on Jan. 22 issued a statement that the carriers “have not made any proposals worthy of...
High-speed rail in California moves along, but slowly
(Source: Cap Radio, January 21, 2021) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — While California voters approved a proposition in 2008 to fund a high-speed rail line that would connect major cities like San Francisco to Los Angeles, progress has been slow in the years since. Full story:...
What’s on rail operator KCS’s Mexico agenda
(Source: BN Americas, January 21, 2021) NEWARK, Del. — After investing US$167 million in its Mexican network last year, railway operator Kansas City Southern (KCS) will keep focusing on capacity projects this year. Full story: www.bnamericas.com
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending January 16, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, January 20, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 16, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 528,547...
Oberman to chair STB
(Source: Railway Age, January 22, 2021) NEW YORK — Martin J. Oberman was designated Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Jan. 21 by President Joe Biden. He was sworn in as an STB member on Jan. 22, 2019, and has held the Vice Chairman position since...
Deputy administrators of FRA, FTA among appointments to U.S. DOT
(Source: Trains, January 21, 2020) Amit Bose has been named deputy administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration and Nuria Fernandez the deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, part of a group of more than three dozen appointments to the...
CSX reports Q4 2020 financial results
(Source: CSX press release, January 21, 2021) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. today announced fourth quarter 2020 net earnings of $760 million, or $0.99 per share. These results include a charge of $48 million, or $0.05 per share after-tax, related to the early...
KCS to help develop Texas logistics park
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, January 20, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced today that it has entered into a joint agreement with NorthPoint Development to develop the master planned Wylie Logistics Park in Wylie, Texas,...
BNSF outlines $3 billion capital investment budget for 2021
(Source: Freight Waves, January 20, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Privately held Western U.S. railroad BNSF expects to spend $2.99 billion in 2021 for capital projects that will upgrade and maintain the company’s rail network. Full story: Freight Waves
Grain, intermodal boost U.S. weekly rail volumes
(Source: Freight Waves, January 20, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Higher intermodal and grain volumes boosted U.S. rail traffic last week, with weekly volumes rising nearly 6% compared with the same period last year. Full story: Freight Waves
BLET News
Railroad Retirement Board reaches out to railroaders affected by Sandy
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is reminding rail employees out of work due to Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath that they may qualify for unemployment benefits.
December Secretary-Treasurer workshop is full: Waiting list created for 2013 classes
The BLET Education & Training Department has announced that the final Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop of 2012 is full. It is slated for December 9-13 in Cleveland.
Unemployment benefits information for BLET members impacted by Sandy
In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the BLET’s National Division is swinging into action to assist BLET members who have been impacted by the disaster.
Express Scripts implements emergency prescription plan for Hurricane Sandy
On October 27, a State of Emergency was declared in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.
Important notice: Open enrollment for former railroad employees and/or their dependents (Group Policy GA-23111)
During the months of November and December 2012, United Healthcare will hold an open enrollment under Group Policy GA-23111. During this period, any individual who is eligible for coverage under one of the GA-23111 plans can enroll and will be accepted for coverage without any medical underwriting or requirement of good health.
Open enrollment ends November 3 for new Flexible Spending Account
Open enrollment will be ending on November 3, 2012, for the new Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan, which is available to BLET members who work at participating railroads.
President Pierce leads Get Out The Vote rally with Division 28 in Tucson
Last week, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce joined members of the BLET Advisory Board in Tucson, Ariz., for meetings and a rally to encourage members to get out the vote on November 6.
Nick Johnson reelected by acclamation to serve as Arizona SLB Chairman
Brother G.N. “Nick” Johnson was reelected by acclamation to continue serving as Chairman of the Arizona State Legislative Board at the Board””s triennial meeting in Tucson, Ariz., on October 23.
Romney is not coal’s savior
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President As you all know by now, BLET’s “Proud to be American, Proud to be Union” campaign has been part of a bigger National Division effort to increase member involvement in our union. Involvement in your union is involvement in your future and every member should take an active interest in both.
BLET mourns loss of Div. 42 President Brian Wheeler
Brian D. Wheeler, President of BLET Division 42 (St. Louis, Mo.), passed away following complications from a rare blood disorder known as myelodysplastic syndrome on Tuesday, October 16.
