People news from Indiana Rail Road, NRC and BLET

The Indiana Rail Road Co. (INRD) has promoted Dereck McClure to director of service operations. He will lead day-to-day transportation operations. He also will coordinate strategic transportation plans with connecting railroads, freight customers and internal stakeholders, as well as help foster a culture of safety, accountability and regulatory compliance. McClure joined INRD in 2013 as a train operator. He was later promoted to train dispatcher, then assistant chief dispatcher, and ultimately, chief dispatcher. “Dereck’s operational experience, leadership, and dedication to INRD make him exceptionally well suited for this role,” said INRD President and CEO Derrick Wright in a press release. “His proven ability to navigate complex service challenges and support frontline employees will strengthen our operations and enhance the service we provide to our customers.”

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) in January installed Curtis Bilow as chairman. Bilow was elected to the NRC board in 2018 and has served on its executive committee since 2022. He will serve a two-year term as chairman of the association, which represents railway industry contractors and suppliers. Bilow joined Ames Construction in 2005 as a project engineer in the southwest and now serves as executive vice president in the corporate office.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract with Alstom for locomotive engineers who operate Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area. The tentative four-year contract covers Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027, and addresses work rule improvements, health and welfare benefits. It also calls for general wage increases throughout the agreement: 3.25% for 2024, 3% in 2025, 4% in 2026 and 3% in 2027. Members governed by this tentative pact belong to BLET Division 97 in Baltimore and the CSXT-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration and operated under contract by Alstom and Amtrak. The tracks are owned by CSX and Amtrak.