Now On Line: Railway Age February 2024 Digital Edition

The February 2024 issue of Railway Age is now available digitally, covering the freight rail policy outlook and showcasing our 25 Under 40 “Fast Tracker” honorees.

UP has capitalized on population boom along the Gulf Coast to meet growing construction needs. (UP Photograph)

Class I Briefs: UP, CSX

Union Pacific (UP) reports having a “rocking good year” in 2023—literally. Also, CSX earns an Anthem Award for its “Pride in Service” community investment initiative.

STB Extends Employment-Data Reporting for ‘Big Four’

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Jan. 31 extended its temporary employment-data reporting period for the “Big Four” Class I railroads—BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS) and Union Pacific (UP)—to Dec. 31, 2024,

Among the potential seating options for CHSRA trainset interiors are premium “cocoon”-style seats. (Rendering Courtesy of CHSRA, Subject to Change)

Watch: CHSRA Releases Renderings, Mock-Ups of Potential Train Interiors

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) last month hosted what it called “preliminary” mock-up tours of its trainset interiors for state and local leaders and other stakeholders, and released potential interior renderings.

(ARH Photograph)

ARH Explores Rail Shuttle-Inland Port Concept

Chicago-based Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) on Jan. 31 released two new reports examining the feasibility and benefits of rail service operating to an inland port for intermodal containers destined within 150 miles

(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: Carloads Down, Intermodal Up for Week 4

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jan. 27, 2024 (Week 4) was virtually flat with the prior-year period, as carload losses offset intermodal gains, according to the Association of American Railroads’ latest report.

“Amtrak is working on two overarching objectives in 2024—improving passenger train service for our customers efficiently and effectively and carrying out a massive major infrastructure capital program aimed to modernize and upgrade our infrastructure, stations, fleet and technology,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said on Jan. 31. “As both a passenger rail service provider and a major construction company, we are quickly growing and evolving to deliver on both.”

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, VPRA, WMATA

Amtrak will advance several initiatives this year as part of its goal to double annual ridership to 66 million by Fiscal Year 2040. Also, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) details three proposed Christiansburg-area station alternatives, as part of the Amtrak New River Valley Project; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Office of Inspector General introduces a Whistleblower Award Program.

(GPA Photograph)

For GPA, Container Volume Down in December, ‘Renewed Strength’ Expected in 2024

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) handled 422,300 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in December 2023, down 4% or nearly 18,500 TEUs from the prior-year period, the Port reported Jan. 30. Its Port of

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s SEBconnect online portal and app connects small and emerging business owners in real-time with available contracting, purchasing and new business opportunities at the Convention Center, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and the Port of New Orleans.

Small-Road Briefs: NOPB/Port NOLA, SMART

New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) and the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) join New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s online portal and app that connects small and emerging businesses with available contracting and purchasing opportunities. Also, SMART Freight in California mulls a return to storing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank cars.

Bunge Joins RailPulse™ Coalition

Agribusiness company Bunge has signed on as the first railcar-owning shipper of RailPulse™, the coalition established in late 2020 to “facilitate and accelerate the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology across

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