U.S. rail traffic was up slightly for the second week of the year* (ending Jan. 17), the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 21. Volume came in at 505,385 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.1% from the same week in 2025, with carload gains partially offset by intermodal losses.
Port of Long Beach, Calif., (POLB) sets a cargo record in 2025 and expects 2026 to be “another busy year shaped by changes in trade policies, tariff normalization and shifts in manufacturing sourcing.” Also, South Carolina Ports’ (SC Ports) Inland Port Dillon posts record rail moves in 2025.
Downers Grove, Ill.-based AllTranstek LLC has acquired the assets of Darien, Ill.-based RAS Data Services (RAS), following its identification last month as the prevailing auction bidder. AllTranstek, in a Jan. 16 announcement,
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) appoints Mariia Zimmerman as Director. Also, the League of Railway Women (LRW) recognizes Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Dianne Barnett as 2025 Railway Woman of the Year; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Ports of Indiana, Trinity Metro in Texas, and HNTB Corporation hire executive leaders.
BNSF provides an operational performance update. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) generates record scrap metal revenue; and CN’s Material Planning team reaches 1,000-plus days “injury-free.”
ITS Logistics issues its U.S. Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index for January. Also, CN sends a “Supply Chain Salute” to the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columba, which it serves exclusively and handled 26.3 million tons of cargo in 2025, up 14% from 2024.
Sixteen collective bargaining agreements have been ratified and two tentative agreements have been reached at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) in the United States. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) surpasses its locomotive “Fly Rate” goal in 2025.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has awarded approximately $97 million to ten rail-related projects that it said prioritize public transit in communities most affected by pollution. They will be funded by
Brightline Trains appoints Nicolas Petrovic as CEO of Brightline Holdings LLC and Mauricio Anderson as Chief Financial Officer of Brightline Holdings and its subsidiaries (other than Brightline West). Also, Paul Ray joins Utah Transit Authority (UTA) as Government Relations Director; Adrienne L. Johnson transitions to Deputy Chief People Officer at North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) in California; and Jamie Snook rises to Executive Director of Capital Project Delivery at Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet).
POTUS 47 appoints a second Presidential Advisory Board (PEB) to help settle an ongoing contract dispute at MTA Long Island Rail Road in New York. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) advances an Innovation Studio pilot project; and Trinity Metro’s TEXRail breaks a ridership record in December.