Rail Industry News
Railroad crossing safety addressed in Tester bills
(Source: Billings Gazette, December 1, 2020) BILLINGS, Mont. — Last week, U.S. Sens. Jon Tester, of Montana and Deb Fischer, of Nebraska introduced a bill to improve safety at rural train crossings. Full story: Billings Gazette
Two Bellingham women suspected in terrorist attack against BNSF
(Source: Bellingham Herald, November 30, 2020) BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Two Bellingham women were charged with a terrorist attack and violence against the BNSF Railway Company after they allegedly interfered with the railroad’s safety features last weekend by placing a...
Amtrak names Stephen Gardner president
(Source: Amtrak press release, December 1, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn announced that Stephen Gardner has been appointed President, effective Dec. 1, 2020. Gardner’s appointment is part of a broader set of actions taken under Flynn’s...
CSX says it will acquire Pan Am Railways
(Source: Associated Press, November 30, 2020) OMAHA, Neb. — CSX is acquiring a regional railroad in New England to bolster its network in the northeastern United States, but a rival railroad says the deal could hurt competition. CSX said Monday it is acquiring Pan Am...
Amtrak, NJ Transit challenge North River Tunnel recommendations
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 25, 2020) Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and New Jersey officials have expressed reservations about the feasibility of proposals for the Hudson River rail tunnel project outlined in an independent report released by the Gateway...
Officials: NS derailment in SW Ohio could have been disastrous
(Source: Journal-News, November 28, 2020) MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — A 40-car train traveling from Cincinnati to Fort Wayne, Ind. was traveling at a low speed early Tuesday when 12 cars jumped the tracks and toppled into fields, shutting down part of U.S. 127 in Wayne Twp....
NS bridge collapse and derailment leads to chaos in Indiana County near Pittsburgh
(Source: KDKA, November 25, 2020) CLYMER, Pa. — Rail traffic is halted and road traffic detoured after a bridge collapse and train derailment in Indiana County Wednesday morning. Full story: KDKA
Transport Canada revises rules on worker fatigue in the rail industry
(Source: Freight Waves, November 25, 2020) CHATTANOOG, Tenn. — The federal agency announced Wednesday that the Duty/Rest Rules for Railway Operating Employees have been updated to better reflect the latest science on fatigue management. The adjustments will also help...
Weekly U.S. intermodal volumes march upward
(Source: Freight Waves, November 26, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. intermodal traffic on a weekly basis exceeded the 300,000-unit mark this week amid continued brisk import activity. Intermodal volumes for the week ending Saturday were 301,129 containers and...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending November 21, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, November 25, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 21, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was...
Transportation labor mourns the loss of TTD president Larry Willis
(Source: AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department press release, November 30, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, with his wife and daughter by his side, TTD president Larry Willis, 53, succumbed to injuries sustained on November 22 in a tragic biking accident. TTD...
Railroad retiree earnings limits set to increase in 2021
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2021 without having their benefits reduced as a result of increases in earnings limits indexed to average...
Railroad Retirement benefits will see increase in 2021
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2021 due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2019 to the...
TCI Fund Management seeks climate action from CP and CN
(Source: Freight Waves, November 23, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — CN and Canadian Pacific shareholder TCI Fund Management Ltd, has asked both railways to lay out climate action plans at their annual general meetings in 2021. TCI has a 2.93% stake in CN and is CP’s...
New York congressman asks DOT to reverse LNG by rail rule
(Source: Freight Waves, November 24, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A New York congressman for the greater Rochester area is asking the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reverse a rule that allows the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) unit trains....
Downeaster still chugging along despite low ridership
(Source: Lewiston Sun Journal, November 24, 2020) BRUNSWICK — The coronavirus pandemic has stopped the Downeaster passenger rail service’s record growth in its tracks, although Amtrak’s northern line is still chugging along. Full story: www.sunjournal.com
Brightline, Disney agree to build train station in Orlando
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 24, 2020) Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort yesterday announced they've entered into an agreement to build a train station at the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida. Full...
Santa Train keeps its annual appointment, but with some big changes
(Source: Appalachian News-Express, November 24, 2020) PIKEVILLE, Ky. — COVID-19 has canceled many events this year including the traditional CSX Santa Train. While the 78th Santa Train itself didn’t make its annual run, the Santa Train helpers made adaptations with...
D.C. Teamsters partner for food bank to help those in need
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, November 24, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the past two Saturdays, volunteers converged on Local 639 in Washington, D.C. to help distribute food to families in need as part of a charitable effort run by...
NS: More than a dozen train cars derail in Southwest Ohio
(Source: Dayton Daily News, November 24, 2020) DAYTON, Ohio — An early-morning derailment of 12 to 16 Norfolk Southern train cars caused closures to U.S. 127 in Wayne Twp. on Tuesday, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. No injuries were reported. Full...
BLET News
James Tiede elected Chairman of Kansas State Legislative Board
James (Jim) Tiede was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the Kansas State Legislative Board during the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Kansas City, Kan., July 17-18, 2012.
D.B. Kenner elected Chairman of Montana State Legislative Board
D.B. Kenner was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the Montana State Legislative Board during the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Billings, Mont., June 12-13, 2012.
BLET regional meetings update: IWC, EUMA registrations underway
Members looking to take part in training workshops, or looking to enjoy some time away from the railroad, should consider attending one of two BLET regional meetings coming up soon.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Florida
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Florida after tropical storms caused major damage to homes and prope
Jim Dayton reelected General Chairman of UP-Western Region GCA
Brother Jim L. Dayton was reelected Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Region General Committee of Adjustment during the Committee’s quadrennial convention held June 26-28, 2012, in Boise, Idaho.
BLET Safety Task Force to investigate Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio
The BLET National Division has dispatched members of its Safety Task Force to the scene of a major derailment in Columbus, Ohio.
Continuous good standing required to participate in upcoming BLET triennial elections
Triennial elections for BLET Divisions will be held later this year, with nominations being held at each Division’s first regular meeting in September of 2012.
National President’s Staff position available
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is accepting applications and resumes for a position on the National President’s Staff in the BLET’s National Division Office in Cleveland, Ohio.
Teamsters Rail Conference applauds California vote for high speed rail
The Teamsters Rail Conference applauds the July 6 vote by the California State Senate to pass legislation that will enable high speed rail construction. The new rail system would be the largest public works project in the state and could potentially employ hundreds of unionized maintenance of way workers and locomotive engineers and trainmen who are members of the Teamsters Rail Conference.
Independence Day 2012: Proud to be American, Proud to be Union
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce issued the following statement in honor of our nation’s 236th birthday.
