“As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence in 2026, we’re proud to unveil a locomotive that reflects not only the stars and stripes—but also pride, precision, and craftsmanship from the people who make the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway a special place,” W&LE recently reported via social media. (Photograph Courtesy of W&LE)

Small-Road Briefs: W&LE, KRR

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company (W&LE), a two-time Railway Age Regional Railroad of the Year recipient, unveils “patriotic powerhouse” No. 1776, plus a specially painted hopper car in honor of Breast

The new ES43ACi features blue and turquoise-colored livery of La Compagnie de TransGuinéen, the joint venture company that will operate the Simandou Railway. (Wabtec Photograph)

First Look: Wabtec ES43ACi for Guinea Iron-Ore Project (UPDATED 6/23)

The first Evolution Series ES43ACi locomotive for TransGuinéen Railway was unveiled May 26 by Wabtec Corporation and Rio Tinto SimFer, a joint venture (JV) of the government of the Republic of Guinea in West Africa, Rio Tinto, and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings. On June 20, India Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi flagged off the first units for delivery from Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited’s Marhowra plant, an Indian Railways-Wabtec JV.

(Logo Courtesy of STB)

STB: Rail Cost Adjustment Factor Set for 3Q25

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for third-quarter 2025 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), which is defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”

CSX Total Distribution Services’s autonomous electric shuttle in action at Selkirk Auto Terminal in New York. (Screen Grab from CSX Video)

Class I Briefs: CSX, CN, NS, B&O Railroad Museum

CSX subsidiary Total Distribution Services Inc. (TDSI) rolls out an autonomous electric shuttle. Also, CN’s Symington Car team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, advances its “air buggy”; Norfolk Southern (NS) awards more than 100 scholarships to its railroaders’ children; and the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of railroading kicks off with an official website.

The Reliable Rail Service Act has been reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kans.). The original debuted in September 2022 and was reintroduced in June 2023 but did not move forward. (Photographs Courtesy of the U.S. Government)

Bipartisan ‘Reliable Rail Service Act’ Returns

U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kans.) on June 18 reintroduced the Reliable Rail Service Act to clarify the railroads’ common carrier obligation and to establish specific criteria for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to consider when evaluating whether that obligation is being met. They said it would “give shippers much-needed certainty that is currently lacking.” The Association of American Railroads (AAR) weighs in.

(Screen Grab from Federal Register Document)

USDOT Eyes Procedural Reforms; ASLRRA Responds

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) earlier this month responded to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that addressed procedural reforms, and “applaud[ed] DOT’s efforts.” Among the

(MTA Photograph)

MTA 2025–2029 Capital Plan Gets Greenlight (Updated 6/20)

Following passage of funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan in the New York State budget, the MTA on May 28 reported that its Board has approved a proposed plan

(Metra Photograph)

Metra Awarded $104MM for Station Upgrades, Switchers

More than $104 million in grants from Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program have been allocated to Metra commuter railroad in Chicago.

(Photograph Courtesy of Watco)

Watco Receives $600MM Infusion From Duration

Pittsburg, Kans.-based Watco Companies LLC (Watco) on June 17 reported receiving a “minor equity investment” of more than $600 million from Duration Capital Partners (Duration), a private investment firm that in 2024

Marty Neese, incoming President and CEO (left), and Randall MacEwen, outgoing President and CEO, at Ballard. (Ballard Photographs)

For Ballard, Changes at the Top

Vancouver, B.C.-based Ballard Power Systems on June 16 reported that Randy MacEwen will step down as President and CEO. Following a succession planning process, the Board of Directors has appointed Marty Neese to

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