Information of interest to operating railroad and transportation employees

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SAN RAFEAL, Calif. – At a recent meeting held for Burlington Northern Santa Fe employees, the head of the railroad was asked by a Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) official to help defeat the United Transportation Union’s initiative before the National Mediation Board (NMB).

Robert Krebs, BNSF CEO, was asked by a BLE local chairman to "stand in support with our organization (BLE) in our fight against the UTU."

To his credit, according to persons in attendance at the meeting held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, Krebs said BNSF would stay "neutral" in union activities. Krebs revealed that BLE President Clarence Monin along with other BLE officials paid a personal visit to "elicit support" to stop the UTU. Krebs said he declined help at that time, too.

"We applaud Mr. Krebs for his wisdom in staying neutral," said UTU International Assistant President Byron Boyd. "This is a strictly a union matter and Mr. Krebs knows the carrier shouldn’t get caught in the middle. However, it is unprecedented for a rail union president to beg a carrier to help stop a legitimate union initiative protected under the Railway Labor Act."

Wisconsin Governor announces new Amtrak service to Watertown

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. – Gov. Tommy Thompson today announced the extension of Amtrak rail service to Watertown in an effort to help relieve traffic congestion during the resurfacing on I-94 in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

The extension of Amtrak’s Hiawatha line from Chicago to Milwaukee will include stops in Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Brookfield and Wauwatosa. The four daily round trips will begin April 13 and run through July 11. Amtrak will provide the service on track owned by the CP railroad.

Trains killed 539 pedestrians in 1997

WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration reported that 539 pedestrians were killed in 1997, an increase of 14% over the previous year. Trains injured another 510 persons last year.

Railroads blame pedestrians, and railroad critics say that railroads are increasing train speed through many towns to try to boost freight service.

Amtrak to spend $26 million to improve passenger cars

CHICAGO – Amtrak has approved $26.6 million to improve passenger cars used on trains between Chicago and the west and south, along with the Chicago-Washington and Chicago-Toronto service.

Under the plan, bi-level Superliner cars will be overhauled more frequently and an extensive upgrade program will be carried our in order to provide a customer service level more comparable to new cars, including new seats, fabrics and interior décor.

Also, 31 passenger cars will be restored to service and overhauled over the next 13 months in order to provide additional capacity. Amtrak estimates that its overall federal capital needs total more than $4 billion over the next 5 years.

Rail problems disrupt marketing flows in western U.S.

WASHINGTON – During the second half of 1997, rail congestion in the western U.S. on the Union Pacific Railroad and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe lines snarled traffic and at time brought freight shipments in some areas to a complete halt, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In the fourth quarter of 1997, grain car loadings dropped 6% on BSNF and 28% on UP from a year earlier.