General Information
New Progressive Rail short line to operate BNSF lines in Washington state
(Source: Progressive Railroading 12/10/2018) Progressive Rail Inc. has filed a notice of exemption with the Surface Transportation Board to assume operations of about 83 miles of track owned by BNSF Railway Co. in Washington. The lines originate in Chewelah and extend to Kettle Falls, where they diverge into two branches. The west branch runs northwest from Kettle Falls to West Kettle…
Read MoreOutlook 2019: Class I CEOs predict rail traffic growth
(Source: Progressive Railroading, December 2018 issue) Good momentum. Optimism about the healthy economy. A very rosy outlook. Those are some ways the Class I chief executive officers are describing 2018’s mostly sunny business climate or their anticipation for a favorable coming year. Full story: Progressive Railroading Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Read MoreNTSB says broken rail probable cause of 2017 UP ethanol train derailment in Graettinger, Iowa
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board press release, November 27, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 10, 2017, about 12:50 a.m., Central Standard Time, eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit ethanol train, UEGKOT-09, with 3 locomotives, 98 loaded tank cars, and 2 buffer cars filled with sand derailed near milepost 56.8 at a timber railroad bridge near Graettinger,…
Read MoreUP cuts about 200 jobs in another round of layoffs
(Source: Television station Fox 16, November 26, 2018) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Around 200 positions are being cut in a second wave of layoffs at Union Pacific. In October, Union Pacific announced a workforce reduction of approximately 475 employees occurring in the fourth quarter. Additionally, approximately 200 contract positions will be eliminated. Full story: www.fox16.com Tuesday,…
Read MoreQ&A: Buyouts and Railroad Retirement benefits
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, November 9, 2018) CHICAGO — Railroad employees frequently ask the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) how the acceptance of a buyout from a railroad employer affects their future eligibility for benefits under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts. The following questions and answers provide information on this subject. 1.…
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