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Indiana lawmakers continue to oppose Conrail carve-up

WASHINGTON – Northern Indiana politicians are still opposed to the Conrail acquisition by Norfolk Southern and CSX, but say there is now nothing much they can do.

"There’s not much we can do," said Gary (Ind.) Mayor Scott King. "This is a federal issue."

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) okayed $10 billion plan on Monday. CSX and NS say they plan to spend $1 billion in the next few years to expand tracks, terminals and equipment in the region.

The board has until July 23 to file its written decision and definitive rulings.

BMWE attacks STB Conrail decision

DETROIT – The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes called the STB’s decision to divide Conrail between the NS and CSX "an outrageous subversion of the purpose of the Interstate Commerce Act made by people not competent, legally, ethically or substantively, to make such a decision."

BMWE also said that the STB’s "failure to condition their approval on guaranteeing that the railroads cannot break or alter collective bargaining agreements without Railway Labor Act negotiations means that a government agency is attacking the sanctity of contracts between private parties."

BMWE called the merger "especially despicable" given the makeup of the current board.

Taylor retires as CSX rail operations chief

JACKSONVILLE – Carl N. Taylor, CSX executive vice president of operations, retired yesterday after 23 years in the railroad business.

Ronald J. Conway, who is currently senior vice president of operations at Conrail, will replace him. Conway, 54, has been with Conrail and its predecessors since 1969 holding a variety of senior operating, field and marketing positions.

New Jersey big mass transit winner in transit bill

TRENTON – New Jersey is a big winner in the transit bill signed by President Clinton on Tuesday picking up more than a 50% increase in mass transit funds over the next 6 years.

The $1.6 billion in mass transit funds will fund a light-rail transit system along the Hudson River to a new train station in the Meadowlands, among other projects.

Pennsylvania also won a healthy 47% increase in its funding reflecting its position as the home state of the Republican chair of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Bud Shuster.

TWU to meet with Philly mayor

PHILADELPHIA – On Day 11 of the SEPTA strike, the Mayor of Philadelphia will meet with the TWU.

This meeting comes the day after TWU Local 234 workers where given $110,000 in checks by labor leaders, and after the city’s transit agency remains shut down.

About 1,500 persons attended a pro-TWU rally at the Franford Avenue Bus Terminal yesterday where the money was presented.

As the strike continues in its second week, the Philadelphia area is still without city trains, buses and trolleys because an impasse continues between Transportation Workers Union Local 234 and SEPTA. Last week SEPTA refused to accept binding arbitration to help settle the strike.

No new talks have been scheduled.

CN to convey track to VIA Rail

MONTREAL – Canadian National Railway said it would convey its Alexandria subdivision to VIA Rail for literally no compensation because the track needs some repair and is little used.

CN said it would maintain freight rights on this Montreal to Ottawa corridor.

Russian railroads to suspend military shipments

MOSCOW – Because of the military’s chronic failure to pay its railroad bills, Russia’s railroads will suspend shipments of military cargo beginning today, the Railways Ministry announced.

The Army owes the railroads $391 million. The suspension will not apply to "strategically important cargo."

Mexican truck drivers operating is U.S. under scrutiny

WASHINGTON – Meeting the same drug- and alcohol-testing standards that U.S. drivers must meet is now required of Mexican truck drivers operating in this country, according to an agreement signed by both countries.