SMART UnionJACKSONVILLE, Fla. — President Barack Obama in a speech in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday urged Congress to pass a bill to fund infrastructure projects and investments.
Obama delivered the speech, his third consecutive talk on the economy, at the Port Terminal Building at Jacksonville Port, home to two projects the administration expedited — a container terminal and a rail yard, The Hill reported.
Read the complete story at UPI.com.
GALVA, Kansas — The crew of a passing freight train is getting the credit for spotting an overnight fire that damaged a middle school in central Kansas.
Authorities believe lightning started the fire at Canton-Galva Middle School. Damage was confined to the gymnasium, where flames left a large hole in the roof while charring the walls and floor.
Read the complete story at The Republic.
Crashes are traumatic for both victims and the railroad employees who witness the tragedies unfold.
An average freight train has 100 cars and at least two engines, a total package weighing as much as 6,000 tons. Traveling at 55 mph, such a train takes at least a mile to come to a stop, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data.
Read the complete story at the Des Moines Register.
Local 202, Denver, Colo.
The members of this local are asking for donations to assist the family of 40-year member John D. Velasquez, whose wife, Louise, is in need of liver and kidney transplants. She is suffering from non-alcoholic, fatty liver disease. “John was planning on retiring this spring, but expenses may prevent that from happening,” said Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith. Donations may be made by contacting Westminster Federal Credit Union at (303) 427-6466, or mailing them to Louise Velasquez Benefit – WFCU, 9053 Harlan St., Ste. 10, Westminster, CO 80031. Visit https://www.facebook.com/LiveLoveIlluminate?ref=hl on Facebook for more information.
Local 204, Pueblo, Colo.
Assistant State Director and UTUIA Field Supervisor Charlie Skidmore and his wife, Elaine, were among a group of nearly 50 train enthusiasts and local leaders who showed their support on National Train Day for maintaining Amtrak’s Southwest Chief service between Chicago and Los Angeles. The group met the train in Trinidad, Colo., cheering and waving signs. A delegation then boarded the train and traveled over Raton Pass to New Mexico, where they met with other individuals and officials to discuss the future of the rail line. The event was sponsored by the Colorado Rail Passenger Association. Pictured, from left, are Skidmore, Colorado State Sen. Angela Giron, Colorail President Jim Souby, Las Vegas Mayor Alfonso Ortiz, Pueblo City Council President Steve Nawrocki, Colorado State Rep. Leroy Garcia and his wife, Michelle.
Local 243, Fort Worth, Texas
Secretary & Treasurer Cameron Callum reports that this Union Pacific local has already donated $500 dollars to the Tornado Relief Fund established by Local 1188 in Oklahoma City, Okla., to assist members who suffered losses in and around Moore, Okla. “The money will go directly to our affected brothers and sisters. I hope the international gets something put out to publicize this fund,” Callum said.
Local 544, Havre, Mont.
The local is sponsoring a three-day event in the beautiful Bears Paw Mountains consisting of camping, entertainment and a fantastic barbecue, according to Picnic Chairperson Amy Preite. “This is an ideal time for our members, new and old, to come together with their families and friends. Three days will allow all to attend without missing work,” Preite said. Donations from designated legal counsel and businesses within the community will be used for prize giveaways. Planned events include meals, music, a 50-50 duck race and kids’ day. Attendees are asked to bring salads and desserts to help defray costs. Email Preite at Amy.Preite@bnsf.com for the event schedule.
Local 866, Rawlins, Wyo.
David Throgmorton, Ph.D. and director of the Carbon County Higher Education Center in Rawlins, right, is presented with a $1,000 check from the members of this Union Pacific local by Local President James J. Spencer, left, and Legislative Rep. Vern Whitfield. The donation from the Wyoming State Legislative Board and Local 866 for the Rochester Institute of Technology scholarships will help Rawlins high school graduates pursue careers in the engineering field, Local Chairperson Ron Sjogren said. The credit hours from the center are transferable to other universities.
Local 662, Richmond, Va.
Following a special election held in April, Jamie Rainier has been elected local secretary and Cecil Pinner has been elected local treasurer, former Secretary & Treasurer Jimmy Galbraith reports. In April, Pinner attended the local treasurer’s workshop held at the International in North Olmsted, Ohio, and received valuable training for the position. In other news, Galbraith noted the retirement of member and General Chairperson Jim Townsend (GO 201) after 30 years of service and the death of retired member Troy E. Ball in February. He also praised the work of members Everette J. Ready (Afghanistan), Edward Chappell and David Grizzard, who are serving on active duty in the National Guard.
Local 1000, Minneapolis, Minn.
UTU Local 1000 officers represented the SMART Transportation Division April 4 at a public-comment open house for the proposed Northern Lights Express (NLX) passenger rail service connecting the Twin Cities and Twin Port via BNSF Railway. Environmental review studies have been completed and the project is moving into the design phase. “It’s always great to see UTU members attend local government affairs and political events to advance our industry. The members’ appearance before NLX helped UTU move and pass a NLX board resolution in support of union-run, -operated and -maintained passenger services,” State Legislative Director Phillip Qualy said. Pictured, from left, are Local President John Haggerty, Qualy, Local Chairperson Kevin Amoriello and Vice Local Chairperson Eric Carlson.
Local 1043, Sparks, Nev.
Former retired Local Chairperson Lee Wilkes reports that his friend and mentor, Alumni Association member and former Local Chairperson Robert C. Patterson, 79, died April 11. He was buried with military honors.
Local 1608, Chatsworth, Calif.
The members of this Los Angeles Metro bus local are mourning the sudden death of fellow member Shenita Coleman May 5, Local Secretary Jack Dedrick reports. Coleman worked for Los Angeles MTA as a bus driver for 17 years and is survived by her husband, Harvey, son Raphael, and daughters Ranita and Tamara.
Local 1892, Houston, Texas
This Union Pacific local has amended its bylaws, effective in May, and all members should be receiving copies with a return receipt mailed to the secretary & treasurer. Local Chairperson Dan Holak reports. The local has also produced a “welcome booklet” for new members explaining unions, the SMART TD’s structure, grievances, representation rights and other important information. Holak said that the local has a “time claims information” help sheet explaining how to file non-service time claims. Members who have not received this information should contact him at (832) 795-3827, or Secretary & Treasurer Keith Green at (832) 969-2252, for a copy.
At least 78 people have been killed in the passenger train derailment in northwestern Spain on July 24.
More than 140 were hurt, 36 seriously, after all eight carriages of the Madrid to Ferrol train came off the tracks near Santiago de Compostela.
Read the complete story at British Broadcasting Corporation.
OTTAWA — Transport Canada July 23 announced an emergency directive pursuant to section 33 of the Railway Safety Act to increase rail safety, banning one-man crews on trains hauling one or more cars loaded with hazardous materials.
Although the cause of the accident in Lac-Mégantic remains unknown at this time, Transport Canada is moving forward to build upon the safety advisories received last Friday from the Transportation Safety Board and further enhance existing safe railway operations and the security of railway transportation.
Effective immediately, the emergency directive requires all rail operators to:
Ensure that no locomotive attached to one or more loaded tank cars transporting dangerous goods is operated with fewer than two qualified persons on a main track or sidings;
Ensure that no locomotive attached to one or more loaded tank cars transporting dangerous goods is left unattended on a main track;
Ensure, within five days of the issuance of the directive, that all unattended controlling locomotives on a main track and sidings are protected from unauthorized entry into the cab;
Ensure the directional controls, commonly known as reversers, are removed from any unattended locomotives, preventing them from moving forward or backward, on a main track or sidings;
Ensure that their company’s special instructions on hand brakes are applied to any locomotive attached to one or more cars that is left unattended for more than one hour on a main track or sidings;
Ensure that, in addition to complying with their company’s special instructions on hand brakes referred to in the item immediately above, the automatic brake is set in full service position and the independent brake is fully applied for any locomotive attached to one or more cars that are left unattended for one hour or less on a main track or sidings.
The safety of Canadians is Transport Canada’s top priority. The department is committed to working with the rail industry to examining any other means of improving rail safety.
Transport Canada has been in contact with the railway industry, and in particular with CN, CP and the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), to work together to promote the continued safety of Canada’s rail system.
The majority of railways maintain a culture of safety and security, as shown by the notable decline in derailments and train accidents over the past few years.
Transport Canada inspectors will continue to work in cooperation with the Transportation Safety Board as it conducts its investigation.
Transport Canada inspectors are at Lac-Mégantic determining whether there has been non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Railway safety regulations exist to ensure the safety and protection of the public. If these regulations were not followed, the department will not hesitate to take action.
Transport Canada is responsible for transportation policies and programs. It promotes safe, secure, efficient and environmentally-responsible transportation. Transport Canada reports to Parliament and Canadians through the minister of Transport. It works with its portfolio partners, other government departments and jurisdictions, and industry to ensure that all parts of Canada’s transportation system work well.
The complete release, along with Related Items, can be found here.
CHEYENNE, Wyo.—Union Pacific Railroad says it will try to restore one of the largest steam locomotives ever built to operating condition.
The railroad said July 23 it reached an agreement to acquire a “Big Boy” locomotive from the RailGiants Train Museum at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds.
Read the complete story at San Jose Mercury News.
DENVER – A train of tanker cars rammed through the back of a building Tuesday morning in a Denver rail yard.
The mishap unfolded about 7 a.m. July 24 near East 44th Avenue and Sherman Street.
Read the complete story at The Denver Post.
CSX Corporation announced July 16 second quarter net earnings of $535 million or $0.52 per share. For the second quarter of 2012, CSX earned $512 or $0.49 per share. According to these figures, CSX is up a profit of $23 million over last year’s earnings for the same quarter.
CSX attributes these profits to overall revenue growth, service and efficiency results, and other items such as tax and real estate. Revenue for the second quarter 2013 was a total of almost $3.1 billion. CSX was at an operating income of $963 million and an operating ratio of 68.6% for the quarter.
Operating ratio is a railroad’s operating expenses expressed as a percentage of operating revenue, and is considered by economists to be the basic measure of carrier profitability. The lower the operating ratio, the more efficient the railroad.
CSX is up from last quarter, having reported a net income of $459 million or $0.45 per share. Revenue for the first quarter was at $2.96 billion, quite a bit less than this quarter’s reported $3.1 billion.
Union Pacific Corporation announced July 18 that performance for the second quarter 2013 was the best they have ever reported at a net income of $1.1 billion or $2.37 per diluted share, an increase of five percent over last year’s second quarter earnings. Earnings for the same quarter last year were only $1 billion or $2.10 per diluted share.
UP saw an increase of operating revenue to $5.5 billion, while last year’s operating revenue for the same quarter was only $5.2 billion. The freight revenue was also at a five percent increase and their operating ratio of 65.7 percent was the best ever recorded at 1.3 points higher than the second quarter last year; and 0.9 points better than the previous best-ever record which was set in the third quarter of 2012.
Second quarter earnings are also up from the first quarter of this year. UP reported increased revenue of $5.29 billion for the first quarter, a great deal less than this quarter’s reported $5.5 billion.
Kansas City Southern (KCS) reported July 19 record revenues as well as record carloads for the second quarter 2013. KCS announced that the second quarter was up six percent over the second quarter 2012 with $579 million in revenues. Carloads saw an increase of three percent over last year as well.
The railroad saw an operating income of $179 million, 12 percent higher than the same quarter of the previous year and an operating ratio of 69.0 percent, a 1.5-point improvement.
Revenue growth for the second quarter was led by a 26 percent increase in Energy, a 20 percent increase in Automotive and a 13 percent increase in Intermodal revenues over last year. Revenues from Chemicals & Petroleum and Industrial & Consumer grew by 11 percent and four percent respectively over last year’s second quarter.
KCS saw a decrease in revenues from Agriculture and Minerals, which decline by 18 percent, due to droughts and a decrease in grain volumes.
Canadian National Railway (CN) announced July 22 that profits are up for the second quarter 2013 over the same quarter of 2012. Net income for the second quarter was C$717 million or C$1.69 per diluted share. Net income for the same quarter last year was only C$631 million or C$1.44 per diluted share.
CN reported a net gain of C$13 million that resulted from a gain on a non-monetary transaction with another railway. Excluding this transaction, it’s reported that CN saw an increase of diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 11 percent to C$1.66 for the second quarter. The same quarter last year was at C$1.50.
Revenues saw an increase of five percent to C$2,666 million that was reportedly driven by a five percent increase in revenue ton-miles and a two percent increase in carloadings.
CN reported that operating income increased six percent to C$1,042 million with an operating ratio (defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenue) improvement of 0.4 of a point to 60.9 percent.
“We executed strongly during the second quarter, with service and operating metrics on a steady improvement trend. This performance underscores our agenda of Operational and Service Excellence, which is key to achieve solid revenue growth at low incremental cost. … Despite slower volume growth than anticipated, the CN team will maintain a keen focus on growing revenues faster than the overall economy as well as on tightly managing costs to meet our full-year financial outlook,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Claude Mongeau.
Norfolk Southern (NS) announced Tuesday, July 23 an 11 percent decrease in income for the second quarter 2013. Income was at $465 million for the second quarter of 2013 whereas they were at $524 million for the same quarter of 2012.
Diluted earnings per share were at $1.46, nine percent lower than they were in 2012 at $1.60 per diluted share.
The operating revenues for the railroad came in at $2.8 billion, three percent lower than in 2012. However, the operating ratio came in at 70.2 percent, which is four percent higher than the ratio reported for the second quarter of 2012.
Fuel surcharges came in at $306 million, $59 million less than last year’s reported amounts. General merchandise revenues rose to two percent to $1.6 billion. Coal revenues fell 17 percent to $626 million due to lower average revenue per unit and a four percent decline in volumes. NS reported that Intermodal revenues increased four percent to $588 million and volumes increased five percent due to continued domestic and international growth.
“In the second quarter, Norfolk Southern delivered solid results, supported by growth in our chemicals, intermodal, and automotive businesses, despite continuing weakness in the coal markets,” CEO Wick Moorman state. “We continue to focus on service efficiency and velocity, which is enabling us to control operating expenses and deliver superior performance to our customers.”
Canadian Pacific (CP) reports record highs in operating ratio Wednesday, July 24. The operating ratio came in at 71.9 percent, a 1,060 basis-point improvement and an all-time quarterly record for the railroad.
Operating income came in at C$420 million, an increase over the second quarter of last year by 76 percent.
Total revenues for CP were C$1.5 billion, an increase of ten percent; also a quarterly record. Operating expenses were low at C$1.1 billion, a decrease of four percent. CP reported a net income of C$252 million or C$1.43 per diluted share.
The second quarter of 2012 had a net income of only C$103 million or C$0.60 per share. The second quarter of 2013 had a 138 percent improvement in year-over-year earnings per share.
Canadian transportation authorities banned one-man crews for trains with dangerous goods Tuesday, responding to calls for tougher regulations after an oil train derailment in Quebec killed 47 people.
Transport Canada also said trains with dangerous goods will not be allowed to be left unattended on a main track. Hand brakes must be applied to trains left one hour or more.
Read the complete story a the Bismarck Tribune.