Watco Completes Major Projects in 2024
Last year, Watco partnered with government agencies, customers, and others to maintain infrastructure and grow freight opportunities across its network.
Author: Carolina Worrell
CHSRA Provides 2025 Project Update Report
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on March 1 submitted its 2025 Project Update Report (download below) to the California Legislature, fulfilling its requirement to provide biennial updates on the development and implementation of intercity high-speed rail service.
Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN, CSX
BNSF makes “significant progress” in its recovery efforts in the Class I’s Northern Corridor. Also, CN partner Crowley will launch its Mexico Gulf Express service in May; and CSX begins its 2025 Responder Incident Training in Baldwin, Fla.
Transport Canada Establishes Supply Chain Advisory Council
Canada’s Minister of Transport Anita Anand and Internal Trade on Feb. 28 announced the establishment of the Supply Chain Advisory Council, comprised of experts and senior leaders in their fields.
People News: BRC, STV
Jerry Peck is selected to lead The Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC). Also, Allison Dane Camden joins STV as Vice President and Pacific Northwest Area Manager within the firm’s Transportation West group.
New AAR Study Underscores ‘Substantial’ Economic Impact of U.S. Rail Transportation Industry
A new study by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) underscores the “substantial” economic impact of the rail transportation industry in the U.S. In 2023, the rail transportation sector contributed $233.4 billion in total economic output, supporting nearly 749,000 jobs across various industries.
Transit Briefs: CTA, Metro-North, Caltrain, BART, NJ Transit
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) unveils final designs for blocks under new Red Line tracks. Also, Metro-North Railroad unveils the sixth wrapped locomotive from its Heritage Series; a new poll shows strong regional approval for Caltrain; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) customer satisfaction rate hits its highest mark in 10 years; and NJ Transit announces new customer experience enhancements at key transit hubs.
NYMTA, Google Public Sector Announce Preventive Track Maintenance Pilot Program
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Feb. 27 announced a pilot program in partnership with Google Public Sector, “building on the success of its proven TrackInspect prototype, to proactively detect potential track defects before they escalate into operational issues that disrupt service to customers.”
Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP, CPKC
BNSF responds to winter weather challenges in the north. Also, Union Pacific (UP) celebrates the first day of construction of Viterra’s new state-of-the-art grain facility in Dalhart, Texas; and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announces that the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has accepted its new share repurchase program.
Report: Quebec Court of Appeal Upholds Ruling That CP Was ‘Not Liable’ for Lac-Mégantic Disaster
Quebec’s Court of Appeal has upheld a 2022 lower court ruling that found Canadian Pacific (CP) “did not have legal liability” for the derailment of a crude-oil unit train at Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, that killed 47 people on July 6, 2013, according to a report by The Canadian Press.