General Information
President Pierce urges aid for Amtrak/commuters, condemns PSR at Senate hearing
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 21 — BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation at a hearing titled, “Passenger and Freight Rail: The Current Status of the Rail Network and the Track Ahead.” The hearing examined the current state of America’s passenger and freight rail network,…
Read MoreCDC recommends riders, operators wear masks on trains
(Source: Progressive Railroading 10/20/20) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday issued an interim guidance strongly recommending passenger train and subway riders, operators and other crew members wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The guidance recommends people wear masks while waiting for trains or working at stations, and while traveling on trains. The guidance also…
Read MoreOn the 40th anniversary of the Staggers Act, Congress should consider the collateral damage to the rail industry, and how to fix it
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 19 — Over the last several years, railroad industry stakeholders have become increasingly troubled by the effects of the new business model adopted by the Class I railroads. This so-called “precision scheduled railroading” focuses extensively on cost-cutting as a primary objective. Rail shippers complain of a deterioration of service and “de-marketing” of…
Read MorePrivate investors propose Mexico-U.S.-Canada rail link
(Source: Progressive Railroading 10/19/2020) Mexican conglomerate Caxxor Group is proposing a private-sector initiative to begin construction of a North American rail corridor that would link the Sinaloa state in Mexico with Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada via the United States. The project would establish two logistics points — one in Winnipeg and the other near the Port of…
Read MoreWeekly U.S. coal train loadings rise to seven-week high: STB
(Source: S&P Global Platts, October 16, 2020) HOUSTON — U.S. coal train loadings rose to a seven-week high in the week ended Oct. 9, as loadings from all four major basins increased on the week, Surface Transportation Board data showed Oct. 16. Full story: S&P Global Platts Monday, October 19, 2020
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