Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF set vaccine mandates

UNION PACIFIC and NORFOLK SOUTHERN mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for employees in October, effective Dec. 8, citing an executive order covering federal contractors. Both railroads filed lawsuits against unions indicating opposition to the requirement, saying it should be subject to negotiation. NS contended the matter is subject to arbitration because it involves interpretation of an existing agreement. BNSF RAILWAY later added its own mandate, effective Jan. 4.

After a pandemic-spurred shutdown of more than 20 months, BRIGHTLINE resumed service between Miami and West Palm Beach, Fla., on Nov. 8, and announced it would offer door-to-door service to and from its stations. In October, the company received the first of the new SIEMENS trainsets for its coming expansion to Orlando, shown en route at Hopkinsville, Ky. Jim Pearson

A TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA investigation found no evidence railway operations caused the fire that devastated Lytton, British Columbia, in June 2021. The agency said the investigation included inspections of the last train through the area before the fire, a

CANADIAN PACIFIC coal train; lab testing of samples near the suspected ignition point; and examination of video and event recorders.

CSX TRANSPORTATION and NORFOLK SOUTHERN said AMTRAK’s plan for service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., would “devastate” freight operations in a filing with the SURFACE

TRANSPORTATION BOARD, and asked the board to deny Amtrak’s request — but said they would withdraw their objections if the passenger railroad agreed to pay for 14 infrastructure projects involving more than 23 miles of new track.