Rail Industry News
Longer trains are here to stay, railroad executives say
(Source: Freight Waves, December 10, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Train lengths, e-commerce and mergers and acquisitions were among the topics discussed by four Class I railroads at the Credit Suisse 8th Annual Industrials Conference last week. Full story: Freight...
FRA updates rail equipment accident, incident reporting regs
(Source: Progressive Railroading, December 10, 2020) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has amended its accident/incident reporting regulation to modify the way the agency calculates periodic adjustments to the reporting threshold and the way it communicates...
NTSB publishes report on 2017 CSX derailment near Hyndman, Pa.
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board press release, December 10, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board issued Rail Accident Report 20/04 Thursday for its investigation of the Aug. 2, 2017, CSX Transportation, Inc. freight train...
U.S. carloads bounce back while important gains fuel intermodal
(Source: Freight Waves, December 10, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. carload volume on a weekly basis is almost at the same level as a year ago, with last week’s volumes down by only 1.4%, according to data from the Association of American Railroads. Full story:...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending December 5
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, December 9, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 5, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 542,203...
Climate change takes center stage at more U.S. oil companies
(Source: S&P Global Platts, December 9, 2020) HOUSTON — Many of the largest oil and natural gas companies in the U.S. and Canada jumped on the train to combat climate change in the second half of 2020 as they began to more fully embrace the energy transition and...
Sanctions looming, NJ Transit says it’ll meet PTC deadline
(Source: NBC Philadelphia, December 10, 2020) PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The head of New Jersey Transit said Wednesday the state-run transportation operator will meet a Dec. 31 deadline for installing a required emergency braking system, despite federal regulators’ singling...
Ag shippers feel pain from lack of ocean containers
(Source: Freight Waves, December 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A perfect storm of container unavailability, labor shortages and lack of chassis and warehouse space is wreaking havoc for U.S. agricultural shippers this fall, according to panelists participating in the...
New York MTA hosts virtual rally for federal relief
(Source: MTA press release, December 9, 2020) NEW YORK — The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), today held a virtual rally with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA), Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), Indianapolis Public...
Three rail switching-related fatalities prompt warning
(Source: Freight Waves, December 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Working Group issued a warning in its November safety alert asking workers to be vigilant during switching operations. The group determined that three...
AAR: Another double-digit gain for intermodal
(Source: Railway Age, December 9, 2020) NEW YORK — For the week ending Dec. 5, 2020, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 542,203 carloads and intermodal units—up 4.8% from the same period last year—based on a double-digit intermodal gain, according to an Association of...
Amtrak adds new digital payment options
(Source: Amtrak press release, December 8, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — To enhance the customer experience, Amtrak is now offering new digital payment options on the Amtrak mobile app and Amtrak.com, including Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. “We know every minute counts...
R.J. Corman acquires short lines, transload service provider
(Source: Progressive Railroading, December 8, 2020) R. J. Corman Railroad Group LLC announced Dec. 4 that it has completed its anticipated acquisition of the Owego and Harford Railway, Lehigh Railway and Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway. Full story: Progressive...
Alpenglow, USA Rail open newest terminal in Texas
(Source: Progressive Railroading, December 8, 2020) Alpenglow Rail and USA Rail Terminals yesterday announced the opening of a rail-car storage, switching and transloading logistics park in Port Arthur, Texas. Full story: Progressive Railroading
MBTA shows signs of softening on service cuts
(Source: WBUR, December 7, 2020) BOSTON — The package of service cuts that the MBTA's board plans to vote on next week will not be as steep as the original proposal, officials said Monday, after a wave of public feedback aimed particularly at the most drastic changes....
Oklahomans frustrated after railroad law ruled unconstitutional
(Source: KXII, December 7, 2020) DAVIS, Okla. — An Oklahoma law aimed at keeping trains from blocking roadways has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. Full story: www.kxii.com
NJ Transit reform bill moves through committee
(Source: NorthJersey.com, December 8, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Almost two years to the day since the NJ Transit reform legislation passed, the state Senate Transportation Committee voted Tuesday in favor of a bill that could help fix some of the lingering issues at the...
Amtrak completes construction of third track between Wilmington and Newark
(Source: WHYY, December 8, 2020) WILMINGTON, Del. — Amtrak has added a third track along a 1.5-mile stretch in Delaware between Wilmington and Newark, bringing to fruition a $71 million project that has been nearly two decades in the making. Full story:...
Exports boost U.S. and Canadian grain volumes
(Source: Freight Waves, December 3, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. and Canadian railroads continued to move significant amounts of grain in November as export demand boosted grain movements. Full story: Freight Waves
$100 million grant will help reduce UP train congestion through Manteca
(Source: Manteca Bulletin, December 4, 2020) MANTECA, Calif. — A $237 million rail project in Stockton that will help move commuters from Manteca to Sacramento faster and reduce the potential increase for more blocked crossings in Manteca as Union Pacific Railroad...
BLET News
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Oklahoma
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Oklahoma after wildfires caused major damage to homes and property on August 22, 2012.
BLET National Division office to upgrade email software
The BLET National Division will soon begin upgrading its online communications services with the implementation of a more powerful firewall and improved spam filter. The Information Technology Department expects everything to run smoothly, but it is possible that problems may arise with the transmission of some email attachments.
BLET opens 74th annual EUMA in Atlantic City
Preserving America’s middle class and protecting Railroad Retirement were key themes during today’s opening ceremonies of the 74th annual meeting of the BLET’s Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA).
Teamsters Rail Conference honored for California high-speed rail efforts
At the California Labor Federation’s Solidarity Awards Dinner on July 24, 2012, the Teamsters Rail Conference and 10 other honorees were recognized with the “Furthering the Vision of High Speed Rail Award.”
New BLET page spotlights Republican attack on Railroad Retirement
ue to numerous inquiries from BLET members, the National Division has prepared a new web page that consolidates news and information regarding the Ryan Budget. For more information, click on the green box above.
Galveston to host BLET for 2012 SWCM
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will convene in Galveston, Texas, for the 77th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM), September 9-13, 2012. Upcoming deadlines are Saturday, August 18 for hotel reservations and Friday, August 31 for convention registration.
Arlin Todd reelected by acclamation in Louisiana
Brother Arlin S.Todd was reelected by acclamation to the office of Chairman of the Louisiana State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in New Orleans, La., August 13, 2012.
Romney enlists Ryan to wage war on railroad workers
Less than three weeks away from formally accepting his party’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin Representative and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, the architect of a plan to gut the pension rights of railroad workers, as his running mate.
Geisler elected General Chairman of Union Pacific-Eastern District GCA
Dave L. Geisler was elected General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Eastern District General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, from August 6-9, 2012.
Why Obama?
If you have been following the BLET’s publications this year, you know that our message has been consistent. We have said repeatedly that unions and their hard working members did not cause this nation’s problems. We have also said that now is the time for all union members to get involved in their union and in doing so get involved in their future. Our “Proud to be American, Proud to be Union” campaign is all part of this effort.
