CSX conductors and Local 600 members Jake LaFave and Stephen Deal lost their lives June 27 when they stepped off a CSX locomotive to check an alert and were hit by an Amtrak train.
Jake J. LaFave
LaFave LaFave, 25, enjoyed spending time with loved ones, working on electronics, playing video and card games, and going on road trips. A newly wed, LaFave married his wife, Caitlin in March 2017. A Pinckney High School, (Pinckney, Mich.) 2011 graduate, LaFave continued his education at Washtenaw Community College, in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he studied Computer Systems and Networking. He is survived by his wife, Caitlin (Blough) LaFave; parents James and Kathy LaFave; sister, Shae LaFave; grandparents, Bud and Beverly Mancuso, and James and Marcia LaFave; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. A public memorial service will be held at the Blough Residence on July 8 at 7 p.m. at 9833 Turkey Creek Rd., Easton, MD 21601. Family and friends are also invited to LaFave’s home at 12922 N. Cresap St., Cumberland, MD 21502, July 11 from 2 – 8 p.m. to share stories and offer condolences. Click here to leave condolences online.
Stephen Wayne Deal
Deal Deal, 20, was a 2014 graduate of Meyersdale Area High School, Meyersdale, Pa. He attended the Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church and was a member of the FFA, where he received the Keystone and American Degrees. Before coming to work for CSX, Deal was employed as a farm hand and as a temporary PennDOT worker. Deal enjoyed riding his motorcycle and ATV, farming, hunting and spending time with his family. He is survived by his parents, Donald S. and Loretta (Hetz) Deal; sister, Aleigha (Walt) Oakes; nephew, Wyatt Austin Oakes; grandmothers, Wilda Deal and Judy Hetz; great-grandmother, Thelma Durst; aunts and uncles, Rhonda (Charles) Teets, Monica (George) Porter, Teresa (Gary) Haer, Harrison (Kim) Hetz, and Jesse (Melissa) Hetz; and numerous cousins and friends. Deal was preceded in death by his pappys, Donald W. Deal and Harrison F. “Cork” Hetz Jr. Click here to leave condolences for the family.
Two employees of CSX Transportation were struck and killed, Tuesday, June 27, as an Amtrak train approached Union Station in Washington, D.C. The victims were aboard a CSX freight train approaching the station when an alert instructed the crew to stop and check part of the train, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) official said. The two CSX employees were then struck by the Amtrak train after getting off of their freight train. Of the 121 passengers aboard Amtrak Train 175, no one was hurt. The identities of the two victims has not yet been released out of respect for the families. The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the accident. Read more from NBC 4 Washington.
A collective of rail unions and Michigan citizens lobbied the FRA to deny a CSX request that would discontinue use of vital safety signals along a busy freight rail line in Michigan – and won. SMART Transportation Division, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Brotherhood of Maintenance Way Employees and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen successfully rallied the FRA to block CSX’s bid to discontinue the traffic control system (TCS) along the Michigan rail line that connects Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit. Click here to read FRA’s letter of denial to CSX.
BILOXI, Miss. – An eastbound CSX train hit a packed charter bus that was stuck on the tracks at approx. 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 7. Four fatalities have been reported and several people were airlifted from the scene. Nearly all of the 50 people aboard the bus were injured, several critically. Click here to see video and read more from CNN.com.
De Genova Richard P. “DG” De Genova, 67, died Tuesday, February 14 surrounded by his family. De Genova hired out with the Youngstown and Southern (Y&S) Railway while attending Youngstown State University (YSU). After receiving his BA in History/Secondary Education in 1972, he was a substitute teacher for the Struthers, Lowellville and Campbell, Ohio, high schools. De Genova realized that his true passion was the railroad and hired out as a brakeman with the then B&O Railroad (now CSX) in August of 1973. Throughout his career, he held the positions of brakeman, road conductor and yardmaster. A member of Local 1948 in Youngstown, Ohio, De Genova served the union as general chairperson for CSX B&O Yardmasters (GCA 247) for 24 years. He settled countless claims for the membership and worked tirelessly to defend the rights of the membership. In his free time, De Genova was a history buff who enjoyed reading historical books and watching documentaries. He was also a fan of the Cleveland Indians and other local baseball teams. De Genova is survived by his wife of 38 years, Phyllis (Gallas); two daughters, Angela (Jonathan) Bellack and Natalie De Genova; parents, Mary K. and Joseph De Genova; and sister, Barb (Gary) Roberts. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Patrick. Visiting hours are Friday, Feb. 17 from 5-8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, 2726 Center Rd., Poland, OH 44514. A prayer service will be held Saturday, Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. A mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Parish, 2729 Center Rd., Youngstown, OH 44514. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beatitude House, 238 Tod Lane, Youngstown, OH 44504-1714, or online at www.beatitudehouse.com. Click here to read De Genova’s official obituary and to leave condolences. SMART TD extends their condolences to the De Genova family, friends and all who knew De Genova.
Net Earnings: $458 million or $0.49 per share, up from $466 million or $0.48 per share in 2015’s 4th quarter Revenue: Increased by 9 percent to $3,037 billion Operating Income: Increased to $1 billion over last year’s $791 million Operating Ratio: 67 percent, an improvement over last year’s 71.6 percent
2016 Annual Earnings
Net Earnings: Decreased to $1.7 billion or $1.81 earnings per share, down from $1.96 billion or $2.00 per share in 2015 Revenue: Decreased to $11.1 billion from $11.8 billion in 2015 Operating Income: Decreased $3.4 billion from $3.6 billion in 2015 Operating Ratio: 69.4 percent Click here to read CSX’s full earnings report
4th Quarter 2016
Net Earnings: Net income increased by 20 percent to C$3.84 million; diluted earnings per share increased 25 percent to C$2.61 from fourth quarter 2015’s reported C$2.08 Revenue: Decreased 3 percent to C$1.64 billion from C$1.69 billion Operating Income: Increased 6 percent to C$717 million over fourth quarter 2015’s C$677 million Operating Ratio: 56.2 percent, a record low
2016 Annual Earnings
Net Earnings: Net income increased by 18 percent to C$1.6 billion from C$1.4 billion; diluted earnings per share increased 27 percent to C$10.63 from C$8.40 Revenue: Decreased 7 percent to C$6.23 billion from 2015’s reported C$6.71 billion Operating Income: Decreased 4 percent from 2015’s C$2.7 billion to C$2.6 billion Operating Ratio: 58.6 percent, a record low Click here to read CP’s full earnings report
4th Quarter 2016
Net Earnings: $1.1 billion or $1.39 per diluted share, an increase of 6 percent Revenue: Down 1 percent to $5.2 billion Operating Income: Up 2 percent to $2.0 billion Operating Ratio: Improved by 1.2 points to 62.0 percent
2016 Annual Earnings
Net Earnings: Decreased by 11 percent to $4.2 billion or 8 percent to $5.07 per diluted share, down from 2015’s reported $4.8 billion or $5.49 per diluted share Revenue: Decreased to $19.9 billion from $21.8 billion Operating Income: Decreased by 10 percent to $7.3 billion Operating Ratio: Increased 0.4 points to 63.5 percent Click here to read UP’s full earnings report
4th Quarter 2016
Net Earnings: Decreased by 5 percent to $130 million or $1.21 earnings per share Revenue: Static at $599 million Operating Income: Decreased by 4 percent to $211 million Operating Ratio: 64.8 percent, a 1.4 point increase from 2015’s 4th quarter report of 63.4 percent
2016 Annual Earnings
Net Earnings: $480 million or $4.43 per share, down from 2015’s reported $485 million or $4.40 per share Revenue: Down 3 percent to $2.3 billion Operating Income: Increased by 2 percent to $819 million Operating Ratio: 64.9 percent, a 1.9 point improvement over 2015 Click here to read KCS’s full earnings report
4th Quarter 2016
Net Earnings: Increased 8 percent to C$1,018 million; diluted earnings per share increased 12 percent to C$1.32 Revenue: Increased by 2 percent to C$3,217 million Operating Income: Increased by 3 percent to C$1,395 million Operating Ratio: 56.6 percent, an improvement of 0.6 points
2016 Annual Earnings
Net Earnings: Increased 3 percent to C$3,640 million; diluted earnings per share rose 6 percent to C$4.67 Revenue: Decreased by 5 percent to C$12,037 million Operating Income: Increased 1 percent to C$5,312 million Operating Ratio: Improved 2.3 points to 55.9 percent Click here to read CN’s full earnings report
4th Quarter 2016
Net Earnings: Increased 15 percent to $416 million; diluted earnings per share increased 18 percent to $1.42 Revenue: Decreased 1 percent to $2.5 billion Operating Income: Increased 19 percent to $761 million Operating Ratio: 69.4 percent, a 510 point improvement over 74.5 percent reported for the fourth quarter of 2015
2016 Annual Earnings
Net Earnings: Increased 7 percent to $1.7 billion; diluted earnings per share increased 10 percent to $5.62 Revenue: Decreased by 6 percent to $9.9 billion Operating Income: Increased 7 percent to $3.1 billion Operating Ratio: Improved 370 points to 68.9 percent as compared to 2015’s reported 72.6 percent Click here to read NS’s full earnings report
Note: 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.
Two CSX trains collided in Marion County, Fla. in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 16, causing approximately 20 train cars to derail. Two members of the train crews were treated for injuries and released without hospitalization. An estimated 15,000 gallons of fuel was spilled. Click here to read more from Florida Today.
Net Earnings: $455 million or $0.48 per share; down from $507 million or $0.52 per share Revenue: Declined 8 percent Operating Income: Declined 10 percent to $841 million Operating Ratio: Increased 70 basis points to 69.0 percent Click here to read CSX’s full earnings report
Net Earnings: $121 million or $1.12 per diluted share; down from $132 million or $1.20 per diluted share Revenue: Decreased 4 percent to $605 million Operating Income: Decreased 9 percent to $200 million Operating Ratio: Increased to 66.9 percent Click here to read Kansas City Southern’s full earnings report
Net Earnings: C$347 million (7 percent increase) or C$2.34 diluted earnings per share (a 15 percent increase); up from C$323 million or C$2.04 diluted earnings per share Revenue: Decrease of 9 percent to C$1.55 billion Operating Income: C$657 million, a decrease of 13 percent Operating Ratio: 57.7 percent, lowest ever reported Click here to read Canadian Pacific’s full earnings report
Net Earnings: $1.1 billion or $1.36 per diluted share (9 percent decline); down from $1.3 billion or $1.50 per diluted share Revenue: $5.2 billion, down 7 percent Operating Income: Declined 11 percent to $2.0 billion Operating Ratio: 62.1 percent, up 1.8 points Click here to read Union Pacific’s full earnings report
Net Earnings: C$972 million or C$1.25 per diluted share, as compared to 2015 3rd quarter of C$1,007 million or C$1.26 per diluted share Revenue: Decreased 6 percent to C$3,014 million Operating Income: Declined 5 percent to C$1,407 million Operating Ratio: A record 53.3 percent, a 0.5-point improvement Click here to read Canadian National’s full earnings report
Net Earnings: $460 million (2 percent increase) or $1.55 diluted earnings per share (4 percent increase); up from $452 million or $1.49 diluted earnings per share Revenue: Declined 7 percent to $2.5 billion Operating Income: Stayed at a steady $820 million Operating Ratio: 67.5 percent, a 220 basis point improvement over 2015’s reported 69.7 percent in the third quarter Click here to read Norfolk Southern’s full earnings report
Note: 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.
On Friday, October 14, 2016, SMART Union united with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), in a joint statement to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that voiced their collective opposition to a recent CSX petition requesting permission from the FRA to remove approximately 125 signals from a stretch of track in Michigan. Citing reasons of crew safety and public safety, SMART Transportation Division (SMART TD) President, John Previsich and SMART TD Michigan State Legislative Director, Jerry Gibson, worked with SMART and SMART TD’s legislative offices and and leaders from the BLET, BWED and BRS in requesting that the FRA deny CSX’s request. “Considering the number of residents, homes, schools and churches along this line, and the safety risk involved if these signals are removed, we oppose this request and ask the FRA to deny this wavier,” stated SMART Transportation Division President, John Previsich. Gibson emphasized safety concerns and also connected the dots between the outcome of the presidential election and future decisions made by the FRA and other president-appointed federal industry boards. “The SMART TD Michigan State Legislative Board opposition is based on the reason signal systems are put into place: Employee and public safety. As a former qualified engineer and conductor on this line, the territory has a winding path with poor long distance sightlines, making the operable signal system that is currently in place critical to crew and public safety. “While many may not see the direct correlation between this issue and voting for those candidates endorsed by the SMART TD National Legislative office and State boards, it is a great example. The President of the United States appoints the Director of the Federal Railroad Administration, Surface Transportation Board, Railroad Retirement Board, Department of Labor, and Department of Transportation, to name a few – all of which have the power to determine if these requests are approved or denied,” he stated. Gibson also added: “If we cast our vote in the wrong direction, the outcome of many issues that directly affect rail labor and their families with be compromised,” To read the joint labor statement to the FRA, please click here.
Net Earnings: $445 million or $0.47 per share; down from $533 million or $0.56 per share Revenue: Down 12 percent Operating Income: Down 17 percent to $840 million Operating Ratio: Increased 210 basis points to 68.9 percent Click here to read CSX’s full earnings report.
Net earnings: $120 million or $1.11 diluted earnings per share, a 10 percent increase Revenue: $569 million, a decrease of 3 percent Operating Income: $220 million, an 18 percent increase Operating Ratio: 61.3 percent, improvement of 6.8 points Click here to read Kansas City Southern’s full earnings report.
Net Earnings: C$328 million or C$2.15 per share, a decline of 16 percent Revenue: C$1.45 billion, a decrease of 12 percent Operating Income: C$551 million, a decrease of C$95 million Operating Ratio: 62 percent, an increase of 110 basis points Click here to read Canadian Pacific’s full earnings report.
Net Earnings: $1.0 billion or $1.17 per diluted share, a decline of 15 percent Revenue: $4.8 billion, down 12 percent Operating Income: $1.7 billion, down 15 percent Operating Ratio: 65.2 percent, an increase of 1.1 points Click here to read Union Pacific’s full earnings report.
Net Earnings: Decreased to C$858 million or C$1.10 per diluted share Revenue: Decreased to C$2,842 million, a 9 percent decrease Operating Income: C$1,549 million, a 12 percent decline Operating Ratio: Second quarter record of 54.5 percent, an improvement of 1.9 points Click here to read Canadian National’s full second quarter earnings report.
Net Earnings: $405 million or $1.36 diluted earnings per share, a decline in net earnings and a 4 percent decline in earnings per share. Revenue: $2.5 billion, down 10 percent Operating Income: $770 million, a 5 percent decrease Operating Ratio: Improved to 68.6 percent, a 140 basis point improvement or 11 percent reduction Click here to read Norfolk Southern’s full second quarter earnings report.
Note: 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.
