Author: Marybeth Luczak

(Union Pacific Photograph)

North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 41: AAR

Total North American carload and intermodal traffic rose 2.4% through the first 41 weeks of 2024 compared with the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Oct. 16. The United States, Canada and Mexico all saw gains through the week ending Oct. 12, 2024.

CSX on Oct. 15 released a video on social media congratulating its Frontier Yard team in Buffalo, N.Y., for more than 2,000 injury-free days. (Screen Grab From CSX Video)

Class I Briefs: CSX, NS, UP

One of CSX’s New York-based teams achieves more than 2,000 days of injury-free service. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) commits $856,800 in grants to combat food insecurity, finalizes its East Palestine, Ohio, field office, and participates in the 2024 Virginia Maritime Association International Trade Symposium; and Union Pacific’s (UP) United Way campaign raises $860,000.

“The drop in criminal activity on BART is happening as we have been going all out to implement our Safe and Clean Plan,” BART General Manager Bob Powers said in reference to the agency’s commitment to boost rider safety and provide clean service. “Our riders have been loud and clear that they want us to step our game up when it comes to their safety and the cleanliness of our system.” (BART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: BART, LACMTA, MDOT

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) experiences a double-digit drop in crime. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) logs its 22nd consecutive month of year-over-year ridership growth; and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) launches a strategic plan for development around MARC commuter rail stations.

(Port NOLA Photograph)

For Port NOLA, a $1MM FEMA Security Grant

The Port of New Orleans, La., (Port NOLA) will use a $1,040,583 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to make physical and technology upgrades that will improve the Harbor Police Department’s surveillance

(Image Courtesy of Alstom)

Alstom, Centech to Pursue Rail Transport ‘Innovations’

Mobility solutions provider Alstom on Oct. 16 reported formalizing a two-year partnership with Montreal-based technology incubator Centech to “accelerate the development of innovative and sustainable rail solutions by working with promising start-ups in

“Hey, Virginia and Rail Enthusiasts everywhere! We've officially broken ground on the Long Bridge Rail Project,” the U.S. Department of Transportation reported via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Oct. 15. (Image Courtesy of USDOT)
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Long Bridge Construction Kicks Off

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 15 for the $2.3 billion Long Bridge Project, which is slated to boost passenger rail capacity over the Potomac River between Arlington, Va., and Washington, D.C.,

CPKC on Oct. 11 officially opened its new Operations Center at Knoche Yard in Kansas City, Mo. (pictured). CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas were among those attending a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Screen Grab from CPKC Video)

Class I Briefs: CPKC, CSX, NS

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) celebrates the opening of its new U.S. Operations Center. Also, CSX releases video highlights of its 33rd annual short line conference; and Norfolk Southern (NS) donates another $400,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.