(UP Photograph)

For UP, a ‘Record-Breaking Year’ (UPDATED With TD Cowen Commentary, 1/28)

With an STB merger refiling for the acquisition of Norfolk Southern anticipated “in the coming weeks,” Union Pacific (UP) posted “a record-breaking year and delivered best-ever safety, service, and operating results in

The Amsted Digital Solutions Inc. IQ device mounted on a freight car truck. (Courtesy of GBXLE and Amsted Digital)

GBXLE, Amsted Team on Condition-Based Maintenance Initiative

Greenbrier Leasing Europe (GBXLE) on Jan. 27 reported partnering with Chicago-based Amsted Digital Solutions SAS (Amsted Digital) to launch a freight-car truck monitoring initiative “aimed at advancing condition-based maintenance across the European rail freight sector.”

(Courtesy of BNSF)

For BNSF, a $3.6B Capital Plan

BNSF on Jan. 26 announced a $3.6 billion capital plan for 2026 that devotes $2.8 billion to maintenance and $358 million to “expansion and efficiency” projects.

NS is the highest-ranked railroad in the Trucking, Transportation, and Logistics category of Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. (NS Photograph)

Class I Briefs: NS, UP

Norfolk Southern (NS) earns a spot on Fortune magazine’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) Trenton, Mo., Engineering team marks a safety milestone.

Los Angeles is one step closer to a direct rail connection that is slated to make travel faster and easier through the Sepulveda Pass. The LACMTA Board has selected “an underground heavy rail option” (Modified Alternative 5) for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, which will link the Van Nuys Metrolink Station to the Metro E Line. (Map Courtesy of LACMTA)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, DART, Denver RTD

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board selects rapid transit for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) kicks off a transit-oriented development project near SMU/Mockingbird Station; and Denver Regional Transit District (RTD) in Colorado is increasing rail system fare checks.

Josie Curtis (Courtesy of Patriot Rail Company)

Curtis to Lead ‘People Strategy’ at Patriot Rail

Josie Curtis is joining Patriot Rail Company as Vice President of People Strategy. She will provide leadership across talent acquisition and development, employee relations, compliance, compensation and benefits, performance management, and the

Pictured Standing (Left to Right): Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation for the Province of Manitoba; Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency; and Nick Hays, President and CEO of the Winnipeg Airports Authority. Pictured Sitting (Left to Right): Chris Avery, President and CEO of the Arctic Gateway Group; and Carly Edmundson, President and CEO of CentrePort Canada. (Courtesy AGG)

‘Ports of Manitoba Project’ to Boost Trade in Manitoba

Together with Prairies Economic Development Canada and the Province of Manitoba, the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA), and CentrePort Canada Inc. on Jan. 20 reported signing a Memorandum of

NS on Jan. 22 reported via Facebook: “Chicago [to] New England, now 10 hours faster. East Edge is our newest double-stack intermodal service, replacing a slower, single-stack operation with a modern, high-efficiency connection between Chicago and Ayer, Mass. Built for faster transit times, added capacity, and long-term growth for our customers. Did you catch the first train last week? Our D&H and Conrail heritage units led the way—history pulling the future forward!” (Screen Grab from NS Video)

NS: East Edge Double-Stack Service ‘Built for Growth’

Norfolk Southern (NS) on Jan. 21 reported launching East Edge, a newly cleared double-stack intermodal corridor connecting Chicago and New England. It replaces a single-stack route, reducing transit times by up to

(Courtesy of MDOT)

MDOT Issues $22.1B, Six-Year Capital Budget

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) on Jan. 21 released its $22.1 billion Final Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2026 to 2031.

The Federal Transit Administration has issued a Record of Decision for Austin Light Rail’s Final Environmental Impact Statement. (Rendering Courtesy of Austin Transit Partnership)

Transit Briefs: ATP, BART, Denver RTD, Alto

Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) marks a milestone in the Austin, Tex., light rail project’s federal funding process. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) teams with Uber Transit on first mile/last mile planning and payment; Denver (Colo.) Regional Transit District (RTD) earns “stable outlook” from three credit agencies; and Canada’s planned Alto high-speed rail project could include tunnels in Montreal and Toronto.

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