Rail Industry News
Updated statement from NS on Sunday night derailment in Atlanta
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, November 17, 2020) NEW YORK — It has been confirmed that a member of the train’s crew sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital. Full story: Railway Track & Structures
KCS provides downbeat revenue outlook as protests in Mexico weigh
(Source: Market Watch, November 17, 2020) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern provided Tuesday a downbeat outlook for fourth-quarter revenue, as the rail road operator said protests blocking the Caltzontzin District in Mexico are hurting its volume and revenue...
CN proud to celebrate 25th anniversary of its privatization
(Source: CN press release, November 17, 2020) MONTREAL — Exactly 25 years ago today, the Government of Canada put shares up for sale to investors; at C$2.25 billion, it was the biggest IPO in Canadian history. At the time, CN was the largest and oldest Crown...
Brightline talks continue for new Miami-Dade commuter rail service
(Source: Railway Age, November 16, 2020) NEW YORK — Florida’s Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners has agreed to continue talks with Brightline on new commuter rail service along the Brightline/Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) corridor. Full story: Railway...
Texas high-speed rail company lacks permits to build Dallas-Houston route
(Source: Texas Tribune, November 17, 2020) DALLAS — Less than two months before the Texas Legislature begins its next session, the yearslong battle over a controversial high-speed rail project is expected to spark more legislative skirmishes. Full story: Texas...
CSX, Pan Am, conversions to rail and train lengths
(Source: Freight Waves, November 16, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A CSX executive confirmed that CSX has talked with short line Pan Am Railways about a possible future involving both companies, but he declined to comment further on the issue. Full story: Freight...
1 injured when NS train derails near NW Atlanta neighborhood
(Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 16, 2020) ATLANTA, Ga. — Local authorities arrived on scene about 8:25 p.m. A Norfolk Southern crew member was taken to a hospital with injuries and has since been released, according to the railroad. Full story:...
Across the region, officials and passengers seek to put brakes on MBTA service cuts
(Source: Boston Globe, November 16, 2020) BOSTON — The MBTA’s proposed budget cuts have sparked an outcry from passengers and political leaders who say scaling back public transit will have both immediate and longer-term ramifications, hindering frontline workers...
It’s all on the line for SEPTA and its riders, from service cuts to layoffs
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, November 17, 2020) PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — While pandemic-related budget woes have spurred other transit agencies to sound alarms, SEPTA has stayed relatively mute on potential cost-saving steps that would undoubtedly impact Philadelphia’s...
Q3 rail recap: The good and the not so good
(Source: Freight Waves, November 13, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — With the railroads’ third-quarter earnings releases over and done, it’s time to take a look at who the “winners” and “laggards” were in Q3. Full story: Freight Waves
FRA publishes final rule setting Amtrak performance standards for host railroads
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, November 16, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today published a final rule setting forth metrics and a minimum standard to measure the...
CP announces 2020 “Holiday Train at Home” concert
(Source: Canadian Pacific press release, November 13, 2020) CALGARY — Serena Ryder and The Trews will headline CP's 2020 "Holiday Train at Home" concert, which will stream on CP's Facebook page on Dec. 12. The event will raise money and awareness and help local food...
Activists press NJ Transit for more assurances, access on power plant project
(Source: www.nj.com, November 13, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Last month, NJ Transit was praised by environmentalists for considering solar and renewable options for the agency’s Transitgrid back-up power plant to provide electricity to key parts of the rail system, if there...
W.Va. announces online portal to report blocked railroad crossings
(Source: The Herald-Dispatch, November 16, 2020) HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Complaints about blocked railroad crossings in West Virginia have been difficult to investigate in real time, but a new online portal could make a difference for state inspectors. Full story: The...
Pa. seeks to add Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Amtrak train
(Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, November 16, 2020) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Amtrak’s proposal to add another Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg daily round-trip train in about three years is good news to Sharon Calloway of Uniontown, a frequent traveler on the Pennsylvanian train...
What a well-funded passenger rail system could look like in the Midwest under “Amtrak Joe”
(Source: Minnpost.com, November 13, 2020) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — There’s little doubt that one of President-elect Biden’s favorite federal programs is Amtrak, America’s 50-year-old, subpar rail system. Full story: www.minnpost.com
President-elect Joe Biden expected to be a friend to Amtrak
(Source: Business Insider, November 15, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Joe Biden is no stranger to America's rail system. Having used Amtrak to commute between Washington, DC and his home in Delaware for decades during his time as a US senator, the frequent...
Part 2: The ICC and the railroads
(Source: Freight Waves, November 14, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Interstate Commerce Act was passed in 1887 in response to rising public concern with the growing power and wealth of corporations, particularly railroads, during the late 19th century. At that time,...
Part 1: The rise and fall of the Interstate Commerce Commission
(Source: Freight Waves, November 13, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was the first independent regulatory agency in the United States, and was created in 1887 when Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act. During its tenure the...
Bridge repairs continue at site of NS train crash in Roanoke County
(Source: Roanoke Times, November 12, 2020) ROANOKE, Va. — Minor flooding has temporarily slowed repair of a rail crossing over the Roanoke River in Glenvar where a coal train derailed and a bridge dropped two weeks ago. Full story: Roanoke Times
BLET News
NS-Southern Lines GCA: Mark Wallace elected General Chairman by acclamation
Mark L. Wallace was elected by acclamation to serve as General Chairman of the Norfolk Southern – Southern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at its quadrennial meeting in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 8.
Deadline approaching for 2012 SMA in Orlando, Fla.
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.
BLET members ratify new contract at Great Western Rwy. of Colorado
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR).
FRA issues Safety Advisory 2012-02 regarding restricted speed
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published Safety Advisory 2012-02 on April 25 to remind railroads and their employees of the importance of complying with restricted speed operating rules.
NTSB cites fatigue in fatal 2011 rear-end collision
The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that crew member fatigue was a major cause of a fatal rear-end collision involving a BNSF coal train and a standing maintenance of way equipment train in Red Oak, Iowa, that occurred on April 17, 2011.
BLET marks 149th anniversary today; prepares for 150th in 2013
As the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) marks its 149th anniversary today, National President Dennis R. Pierce announced the formation of a special committee to help the Organization celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2013.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET-GTW agreement
A tentative agreement has been reached between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Grand Trunk Western Railroad subsidiary of Canadian National Railway (CN-GTW). Ballots will be mailed this week to active members of the BLET employed by CN-GTW who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET launches new and improved membership card program
As part of its “Proud to be American, Proud to be Union” campaign, the National Division of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has launched a major overhaul of its membership card program. Active and retired members will begin receiving new, union-made membership identification cards at their homes in the coming weeks.
CSX Eastern Lines: GC Tony Smith reelected by acclamation to sixth term
General Chairman Tony Smith was reelected by acclamation to his sixth consecutive term of office at the fifth quadrennial meeting of the CSX Eastern Lines General Committee of Adjustment in Troy, Ala., on April 24.
Medco Health Solutions, Express Scripts announce merger
Express Scripts recently finalized its merger with Medco Health Solutions, the prescription drug provider to many BLET members.
