Jefferies to Oberman: Allow Me to Remind You—Again

Continual reiteration of statistical data and talking points is a necessary but often tiring aspect of being an industry trade association. The Association of American Railroads, one of the principal voices of the railroads, has over many years been presenting arguments supporting railroad economic, social and environmental benefits, and pushing back against those who would undermine “sound public policy and balanced regulation.” Now, AAR’s advocacy has encountered a different type of potential “adversary”—activist Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman, who has been voicing strong opinions in public forums, most notably, shipper conferences.

Wabtec Clearing the Air in Paris

In Paris, the City of Lights, if you want those lights to shine brightly and clearly, you’ll need to ensure the air is free of dust (particulate matter, PM). One way is to cut down on the amount of PM produced by rail vehicle friction braking.

Commentary

BOOK REVIEW: The Steam Locomotive Energy Story

THE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ENERGY STORY: How These Locomotives Used Energy and What Was Done to Make Them More Efficient. By Walter Simpson. The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society, Inc. Hardcover, 144 pages, $44.95. Available from

TCI Fires Back at CN, at Length

The battle for boardroom and C-suite control between CN and TCI Fund Management Ltd. continues to escalate. On Oct. 6, TCI responded to CN’s Oct. 4 press release with one of its own. In a largely repetitive 2,100-word tome, TCI (which consists of CIFF Capital UK LP, The Children’s Investment Master Fund and TCI Fund Management Limited) said it “reiterates the need for Board and CEO change at CN; emphasizes the qualifications of four independent, highly-skilled Director candidates; and sets the record straight on inaccurate claims from CN’s Board.”

Gil Lamphere and Henry Chidgey Talk PSR, and Growing the Top and Bottom Lines: RAIL GROUP ON AIR PODCAST

Everything you need to know about Precision Scheduled Railroading—how it got started, who started it and why, its promises and principles, and what it has become, for better or for worse—is here

Quasar Platform Improves Rail Capabilities

Quasar Platform, an end-to-end supply chain visibility platform developed by Calgary, Alberta-based Cando Rail & Terminals, has added new features to its Shipment Management application that “significantly improve industrial shippers’ ability to

POWERRAIL Launches Engine Systems Division

Duryea, Pa.-based PowerRail, Inc. has formed PowerRail Engine Systems, described as “a full-service engine company offering a complete line of new and remanufactured engines and engine components.”

Next-Gen Train Control and Rail Insights USMCA: Two Not-to-be-Missed Railway Age Conferences

Over the next two months, Railway Age will be presenting two important conferences: Next-Generation Train Control (NGTC) on Oct. 20-21, and Rail Insights USMCA on Nov. 11. Both events are virtual and feature speakers who are industry leaders in their respective fields.

CN/TCI Showdown Set for March 22, 2022

CN on Oct. 4 announced that has scheduled a Special Meeting of Shareholders “in response to a requisition by CIFF Capital and TCI Fund Management Ltd. (collectively, TCI)” for 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. TCI and CN “have mutually agreed to the date of the Special Meeting,” CN noted, adding that “the proxy contest initiated by TCI is misguided, costly and not in the best interest of CN’s shareholders or its other stakeholders.”

STB Reaffirms CP-KCS Voting Trust—With One Dissent

The Surface Transportation Board on Sept. 30 issued a decision essentially reaffirming that the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern voting trust, which it approved on May 6, 2021, still stands. STB’s decision was not unanimous, however, with Member Robert Primus voicing the lone dissent.

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