Hurricane Harvey: RRB reminds rail workers of unemployment benefits

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) last week notified rail employees who are out of work due to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath that they may qualify for unemployment benefits.

To determine eligibility or file claims for benefits, affected railroaders can call RRB's telephone number or visit its website.

Railroad unemployment benefits normally are paid for four or more days without work in 14-day registration periods, RRB officials said in a press release.

Meanwhile, railroads in the Houston area are continuing to make repairs and resume service where possible. Union Pacific Railroad yesterday announced that its Baytown, Coleto Creek and Strang subdivisions have resumed service.

The Class I's primary focus yesterday was working to open lines between Houston and Beaumont, Texas. Once that portion of track is opened, UP will be able to operate traffic directly from Livonia and Avondale, Louisiana, to Houston without the need to run trains through Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Houston METRO yesterday resumed regular service on all three of its light-rail lines. The agency last week restored limited service on its Red Line rail route.