Commentary

“Saving America”

A Union Pacific locomotive engineer based in the Pacific Northwest who had just received his notice of exemption from travel restrictions proudly told Railway Age Contributing Editor Bruce Kelly, “We’ve gone from building America to saving it.” This UP field employee in Train & Engine Service has embraced his railroad’s slogan, “Building America,” and his heartfelt statement takes it to a higher level—from motto to mantra.

Rail Group On Air Podcast: Interview With Union Pacific COO Jim Vena

Listen to Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono’s March 2020 interview with Union Pacific Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena on Unified Plan 2020, UP’s version of PSR, Precision Scheduled Railroading, and how

NEW FROM GREENBRIER: VIRTUAL SAMPLE RAILCAR™

The Greenbrier Companies has developed an innovative new way for railcar customers to inspect build quality: Virtual Sample Railcar™ (VSR), which remotely brings customers into the Greenbrier plant from the convenience of a conference room or home office.

TekTracking Debuts GLM on CP

Railroad asset management technology development company TekTracking LLC has installed its first Gate Light Monitor (GLM) system at a Canadian Pacific Railway highway-rail grade crossing.

Takeaways from REF 2020: Cowen

Cowen and Co. analyst Matt Elkott participated in the 2020 Rail Equipment Finance Conference (REF) in La Quinta, Calif., the largest annual gathering dedicated to North American freight railcars and locomotives. He offers the following observations:

Ron Sucik at REF 2020: “The Fog of Intermodal”

RAILWAY AGE AT RAIL EQUIPMENT FINANCE 2020, LA QUINTA, CALIF: Did anyone “get it right” on 2019 intermodal traffic? What can be said about 2020? The industry needs to understand how the events of 2019 affected traffic volumes, and then consider the uncertainties of 2020—for example, the impact of the Coronavirus on world trade—to try and forecast what will happen this year. RSE Consulting President Ron Sucik, who retired from TTX following a long and distinguished career, offered his observations at REF 2020.

REF 2020: “Stark” Contrasts in the Global Supply Chain

RAILWAY AGE AT REF 2020, LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA: FTR Associates President and CEO Eric Starks provided his usual high-energy observations on the global supply chain, the uncertainties of the current market and their implications for the North American rail industry. Following are key takeaways from Starks’ presentation on the near-term future for loadings, railroad growth and car demand.

RECo Marks 40th Anniversary

Railway Equipment Company (RECo) in 2020 is marking 40 years in business. “Since our humble beginnings in 1980 developing switch heaters for local Minneapolis railroads to innovating crossing gate arms and lamps for the industry, RECo has lead the charge in developing new technology,” Chief Operating Officer Russ Gehl notes.

REF 2020: UCLA Prof Stresses the Positives

RAILWAY AGE AT REF 2020, LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA: Lee Ohanian, Professor of Economics at UCLA, gave a cautiously optimistic keynote address to the 350-plus attendees at the 34th annual Rail Equipment Finance Conference. Following are several key takeaways:

Transportation Veteran Flynn to Succeed Anderson at Amtrak

William J. Flynn will become Amtrak’s next Chief Executive Officer and President on April 15, 2020, succeeding Richard Anderson. Flynn’s appointment follows “a planned executive succession process undertaken by the Board of Directors,” Chairman Anthony Coscia said.

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