Rail Industry News
NTSB, FRA begin investigation into fatal accident in Alabama
(Source: Television station WALA, November 18, 2020) PRICHARD, Ala. — Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration told FOX10 News they are jointly investigating the matter. In addition, Prichard police late...
MTA’s “doomsday” budget calls for deep service cuts
(Source: www.ny1.com, November 18, 2020) NEW YORK — "Ugly” and “grim” - that’s how MTA officials described a budget that would drastically slash service and jobs - set to hit the riding public in May, unless the agency gets its federal bailout. Full story:...
MBTA employees, commuters rally against proposed service cuts
(Source: NBC Boston, November 19, 2020) BOSTON — A group of MBTA employees and commuters were scheduled to hold a rolling rally outside the agency's Boston headquarters on Thursday morning to speak out against proposed service cuts. Full story: NBC Boston
Carload volume deficit narrows as retail sales climb
(Source: Freight Waves, November 19, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. carload traffic narrowed its year-over-year deficit last week, with carloads down only 3.1% compared with the same period in 2019, according to the Association of American Railroads. U.S. carload...
More CN layoffs only if business slows dramatically during second wave of COVID, CEO says
(Source: Canadian Press, November 18, 2020) MONTREAL — CN Rail may only have to consider another painful round of layoffs if COVID-19's second wave causes shipping volumes to drop dramatically again, its chief executive said Wednesday. Full story: www.ctvnews.ca
Clock is ticking for 110-year-old Hudson River rail tunnel
(Source: Associated Press, November 19, 2020) NEW YORK — Myriad problems in the Hudson River rail tunnel must be addressed in the next few years to avoid what officials say are potentially catastrophic failures before a new tunnel is finally built, a...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending November 14
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, November 14, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 14, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was...
Teamsters mourn passing of Tom Keegel
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, November 20, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — C. Thomas “Tom” Keegel, General Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020 following a...
Containerized grain shippers feeling brunt of tight market
(Source: Freight Waves, November 18, 2020) CHATTANOOG, Tenn. — North American containerized grain shippers are feeling the effects of the tight container market and there’s no relief in sight. Full story: Freight Waves
Amtrak, northeast transit agencies launch “Mask Force”
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 18, 2020) Amtrak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey(PANYNJ), New Jersey Transit and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have joined forces to...
NY legislator calls for reversal of rule allowing LNG by rail
(Source: Rochester City Newspaper, November 18, 2020) ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rep. Joe Morelle is calling on a federal agency to reverse a new rule that allows railroad tankers carrying liquefied natural gas to roll through Monroe County. Full story: Rochester City...
AAR: Intermodal registers double-digit gains in most recent week
(Source: Railway Age, November 18, 2020) NEW YORK — For the week ending Nov. 14, 2020, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,462 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.2% compared with the same week last year, based on a double-digit intermodal gain, the Association of...
COVID cases affecting CSX employees
(Source: Jacksonville Daily Record, November 19, 2020) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After the initial COVID-19 outbreak slowed freight traffic in the spring, CSX Corp. has seen increased business on its rail lines as the economy recovers. However, the recent spike in COVID...
For House Rail Subcommittee, an earful on multiple matters at Nov. 17 hearing
(Source: Railway Age, November 19, 2020) NEW YORK — “Examining the Surface Transportation Board’s Role in Ensuring a Robust Passenger Rail System” was the topic of a virtual Nov. 17 hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and...
NJ Transit is only U.S. railroad in danger of missing PTC deadline
(Source: www.nj.com, November 18, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is the only railroad still at risk of losing the race to have a federally mandated safety system approved and in operation by a Dec. 31 deadline, a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) report released...
FRA publishes Q3 2020 PTC status report, says PTC operating on 99.6% of required route miles
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, November 18, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a quarterly status update on railroads’ self-reported progress, as of September...
SEPTA, Amtrak, PennDOT to improve signaling on Harrisburg line
(Source: Railway Age, November 17, 2020) NEW YORK — Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), in conjunction with Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will upgrade the signaling and train control system between Paoli...
BNSF addresses blocked crossings in Grand Island, but state regulators dismayed by slow response
(Source: Nebraska.tv, November 17, 2020) GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Burlington Northern Santa Fe has addressed concerns about blocked crossings in the Grand Island area, but state regulators are "dismayed" it took formal action to force the railroad to act. Full story:...
Baltimore’s inland port takes shape on e-commerce demand
(Source: Freight Waves, November 18, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Evidence of what was once the largest steel plant on the U.S. East Coast has rapidly disappeared as distribution centers begin to cover the 3,300-acre site near Baltimore. Full story: Freight Waves
New rail port to connect Texas and Mexico
(Source: Freight Waves, November 17, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The city of San Angelo, Texas, recently approved a $600,000 deal with South Plains Lamesa Railroad (SPLRR) to create a multi-commodity railroad transloading facility between central Texas and Mexico. Full...
BLET News
GC Warren Dent reelected by acclamation to serve UP-Southern Region GCA
General Chairman J. Warren Dent Jr. was reelected by acclamation to the office of General Chairman at the Union Pacific-Southern Region General Committee of Adjustment meetings in Fort Worth, Texas, from May 31-June 1, 2012.
Craddock elected CN-IC General Chairman
Clay E. Craddock of BLET Division 762 was elected Chairman of the Canadian National-Illinois Central (CN-IC) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial session in Tunica, Miss., on May 22, 2012.
Showing our pride: New BLET merchandise hits web store
To help members show their pride, the BLET National Division is making new logo gear and clothing options available on the BLET’s web store. Simply go to http://teamstersmerchandise.com/ and click on “BLET” in the far left column.
Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
Since its inception in 1868, Memorial Day has been a day set aside to specially honor and pay tribute to those who have served in the military for defending our country and our way of life.
Early registration deadline for 2012 SMA is May 31
As a reminder, May 31 is the early registration deadline for members planning to attend the BLET’s 85th annual Southeastern Meeting Association convention. The convention is slated for June 24-29 at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.
KCS General Chairman Sam Parker reelected by acclamation
General Chairman Sam W. Parker was reelected by acclamation to his fifth consecutive term of office at the Kansas City Southern General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in Shreveport, La., May 15-17, 2012.
RRB announces updated list of informational conferences for 2012
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board has announced the scheduling of additional informational conferences for the remainder of 2012. The most recent announcement includes dates and locations of meetings for the final six months of the year.
Ballots mailed in tentative Montana Rail Link agreement
A tentative agreement has been reached between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Montana Rail Link, Inc. (MRL). Ballots are being mailed today.
National Labor College announces hazardous materials instructors training
The National Labor College’s Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is offering three train-the-trainer courses this summer.
BLET members unanimously ratify contract at Eastern Idaho RR
For the second time in 2012, BLET members have unanimously approved a new contract agreement with a short line railroad.
