Rail Industry News
Cleveland-Cliffs to acquire six short line railroads
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 9, 2020) Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. last week notified the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that the mining company intends to acquire control of six short lines owned by ArcelorMittal USA LLC. Full story: Progressive...
Record-breaking Mexican rail blockade costs $81 million
(Source: Freight Waves, November 8, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Rail lines from Mexico’s Port of Lázaro Cárdenas have been blocked for almost 40 days, upending freight flows across several key trade routes. Protesters are blocking rail lines operated by Kansas City...
APTA congratulates President-Elect Biden, VP-Elect Harris
(Source: American Public Transportation Association press release, November 7, 2020) WASHIINGTON, D.C. — “On behalf of the more than 1,500 members of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the tens of millions of public transit riders, we welcome...
CSX wants to buy Pan Am Railways; NS says “not so fast”
(Source: Railway Age, November 9, 2020) NEW YORK — Shades of the battle between CSX and Norfolk Southern that occurred some 25 years ago over Conrail, but on a smaller scale: CSX is in negotiations to acquire Pan Am Railways, the 1,700-mile Class II previously known...
BNSF Q3 2020 revenue and operating ratio both down
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, November 9, 2020) NEW YORK — BNSF recently reported its financial results for Q3 2020. Revenue was down 14.4 percent compared to Q3 2019 (bad) and the operating ratio was down to 59.7 percent compared to 62.6 percent in Q3 2019...
Crude by rail poses higher social than financial risk: report
(Source: Mining.com, November 9, 2020) VANCOUVER, B.C. — Shipments of crude oil by rail in Canada in 2021 are expected to remain below the peaks of the beginning of 2020, according to a new report by Moody’s Investor’s Service. But reputational and social risks...
Tracking the speed, dwell time and cars of Class I railroads
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, November 9, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Understanding how a rail shipment moves through the tracks and hump yards across the country relies on a few key metrics. Three of the main key performance indicators that railroads use to communicate...
AAR reports rail traffic for October and the week ending October 31, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, November 4, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 31, 2020, as well as volumes for October 2020. U.S. railroads...
Rail industry ready to work with President-Elect Joe Biden
(Source: Railway Age, November 9, 2020) NEW YORK — With Joe Biden preparing to take the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Amtrak and the American Public Transportation Association...
NJ’s Payne will seek chairmanship of key transportation subcommittee
(Source: New Jersey Globe, November 5, 2020) TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey congressman is seeking the chairmanship of a powerful House subcommittee with jurisdiction over rail transportation, including Amtrak. Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) has put his name in to...
Union Pacific recalls 125 employees to De Soto car shops
(Source: Leader Publications, November 6, 2020) FESTUS, Mo. — The Union Pacific railroad has recalled 125 employees to return to work at its car shops in De Soto. Full story: www.myleaderpaper.com
Coal, petroleum and sand drive BNSF’s operating revenues lower in Q3 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, November 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Slumping revenues for coal and energy products put pressure on BNSF’s profits in the third quarter, according to parent company Berkshire Hathaway. Third-quarter operating revenue was $5 billion, down...
U.S. Class I railroads prioritize PSR, efficiency at the expense of service
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, November 4, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroad executives used words such as "surreal," "unprecedented" and "roller coaster" to describe 2020 on Q3 earnings calls. Full story: Supply Chain Dive
Statement from Amtrak President & CEO Bill Flynn on Biden Administration
(Source: Amtrak press release, November 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Amtrak looks forward to working with President-elect Biden and Congress. To get the economy moving and help Amtrak and our employees through this unprecedented situation, Congress must act now on...
Amtrak, automakers vow to work with future Biden administration
(Source: Reuters, November 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak and American automakers on Saturday pledged to work with the incoming administration of Democrat Joe Biden, who wants to boost mass transit and green vehicles. Full story: Reuters
Teamsters: Biden-Harris victory is a win for workers in 2020 election
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, November 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local election officials are continuing to do the very important work of counting every vote so that the intention of every American voter is heard in this election....
“Amtrak Joe:” Biden elected next President of the United States
(Source: Mass Transit Magazine, November 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have secured enough electoral votes to be named the next President and Vice President of the United States. During his career in the Senate, Biden became well-known for...
City of Salem tests drinking water after NS coal train derails into Roanoke River
(Source: Associated Press, November 2, 2020) SALEM, Va. — A city in southwestern Virginia is testing its drinking water from the Roanoke River after a coal train derailed into the waterway. Full story: Virginian-Pilot
STB: CN can’t unilaterally designate CP interchange at Clearing Yard
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 3, 2020) CN's Wisconsin Central Ltd. cannot unilaterally designate the Belt Railway Co. of Chicago's (BRC) Clearing Yard as the location where it will receive traffic in interchange with Canadian Pacific's Soo Line Railroad...
CN, CP set grain movement records in October
(Source: Canadian Press, November 3, 2020) CALGARY — Canada's two largest railways transported a record monthly total of 6.3 million tons of Canadian grain in October. Montreal-based CN Rail ended the month moving 3.27 million tons while Canadian Pacific Railway...
BLET News
Peek reelected NS-Eastern Lines General Chairman
Kevin S. Peek was reelected to his first full term as General Chairman of the Norfolk Southern – Eastern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the Committee’s quadrennial meeting in Roanoke, Va., March 17-22, 2012.
National Division challenges invasive BNSF medical reporting policy
The National Division of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has filed a Charge of Discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against BNSF Railway over the carrier’s new requirement that its workers must provide information pertaining to off-duty medical procedures and non-work-related medical issues.
Ballots to be mailed in tentative BLET-Union Pacific agreement
Ballots will be mailed on Monday, March 26 to members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen employed by Union Pacific Railroad regarding the tentative on-property agreement with that carrier.
Rail Conference urges Obama to reconsider coal regulations
The Teamsters Rail Conference is urging the Obama Administration to reconsider tough new environmental regulations for coal-fired power plants that could negatively impact railroad workers.
BLET Boston Division 57 joins in groundbreaking safety study
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen in Division 57 (Boston, Mass) are working in conjunction with researchers at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Center on a groundbreaking rail safety study to examine the issue of distraction among commuter rail locomotive engineers.
Condolences for families of fallen Brothers at VIA Rail
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce has extended condolences to the families of the three VIA Rail locomotive engineers who were killed in the line of duty on February 26, 2012.
BLET members join major pro-worker rally in Phoenix
More than 50 BLET members, led by Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman, joined over 1,000 of their fellow union members at a pro-worker rally in Phoenix, Ariz., as part the Arizona AFL-CIO’s Day of Action on March 1, 2012.
Health care mobile phone apps now available for rail workers
If you are an employee covered under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan or the National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union Health and Welfare Plan (“National Railroad Plans”), your health information is now always accessible with mobile solutions.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Indiana
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Indiana after severe storms caused major damage to homes and property from February 29 to March 3, 2012.
Lauzon reelected Massachusetts State Legislative Board Chairman
Daniel J. Lauzon was reelected by acclamation to his first full term as Chairman of the BLET Massachusetts State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Boston on February 23.
