AAR: Carloads, Intermodal Up in Week 43
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Oct. 26, 2024 (Week 43) came in at 519,415 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.2% from the same week last year, based on 228,829 carloads—up
news
CSX: Bringing Double-Stack Service to the Port of Baltimore
CSX double-stack service to and from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore launched Oct. 28 as part of the $500 million Howard Street Tunnel Project. The project is improving clearance at
PHL Advances Zero-Emission Operations, Receives ASLRRA Safety Awards
Pacific Harbor Line (PHL), together with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), has received partial funding for five new Progress Rail battery-electric locomotives and two battery chargers through the Federal Railroad Administration’s
17 Shippers Earn BNSF Sustainability Awards
BNSF is honoring 17 companies with sustainability awards in recognition of their “significant achievement in one of several categories, including: investments in sustainable infrastructure, supply chain efficiencies, sustainable technology implementation, sustainability leadership
IANA: Intermodal ‘Pushes Ahead’ in 3Q24
Total intermodal volume rose 9.8% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2024, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) latest report. International containers added 15.4%, domestic containers improved 6.0%, while trailers fell 11.0%.
NTSB Determines Probable Cause for September 2023 CSX Employee Fatality
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Oct. 29 released the final report for its investigation of the Sept. 17, 2023, accident involving a CSX mechanical department employee who was struck and killed by a
FTA Issues New Rule to Protect Rail Transit Workers
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced that it is issuing a regulation to make transit workers safer, nationwide, by mandating standards to protect them while working on transit railways.
AAR Releases Inaugural Jobs Report
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Oct. 29 released the “Rail Jobs Report: The Value and Opportunities in Railroading,” which provides a comprehensive review of the benefits and opportunities that come with freight rail careers.
FRA NPRMs Target Automated Track Inspection, Defect Remediation and Waivers
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Oct. 23 and 24 published two successive, related Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) the agency says will enhance railroad track safety by requiring railroads to include,
GATX Earns CIAC Responsible Care® Award
The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) earlier this month presented GATX Corporation and eight other organizations and individuals with Responsible Care Awards for 2023. The CIAC’s Responsible Care Program has been
People News: Trinity Metro, NRLC
Trinity Metro names Annette Landeros Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). Also, the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) appoints Jeffrey F. Rodgers as Chairman.
Transit Briefs: LA Metro, Denver RTD
LA Metro launches Transit Watch 3.0. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) lifts speed restrictions between Englewood and Oxford-City of Sheridan stations.
NS: Boosting Safety, Honoring Predecessors, Supporting Community
Norfolk Southern (NS) reports that “collaboration, communication, and a renewed focus on efficiency” have helped drive safety and operational performance improvements across the Northern Region, from Massachusetts to Illinois. Also, the Class
Commentary
‘Second Battle of Mobile’ Ends at STB
The long-fought conflict between Amtrak on one side and CSX, Norfolk Southern and the Port of Mobile on the other has ended. The final move on Amtrak’s part was to move to
FRA Awards $2.4B for Rail Improvement Projects
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Oct. 29 reported that 122 freight and passenger rail improvement projects—including 81 at short lines—across 41 states will share more than $2.4 billion in grant funding
Commentary
Union Pacific Enhances Cargo Security on Numerous Fronts
Amid ever-changing challenges to supply chain security, Union Pacific has undertaken aggressive steps to safeguard its customers’ cargo, including strengthening its infrastructure and deploying technology to surveil its tracks and rail yards.
Unifor Opens Bargaining With VIA Rail
Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 representing more than 2,500 workers at VIA Rail have opened negotiations focusing on key issues affecting the workplace, the union announced Oct. 28.
FTA: $5.1MM for University of Cincinnati to ‘Improve, Accelerate’ Transit Construction Projects
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Oct. 28 announced that the University of Cincinnati will receive approximately $5.1 million to promote the adoption of digital platforms that “speed up and improve the delivery of transit construction projects while reducing costs.”
FRA NPRM Seeks to Clarify Petition Process
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Oct. 28 published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that “seeks to bring clarity, transparency, and consistency to the petition process to help ensure that petitions seeking regulatory relief align with the agency’s safety and public interest priorities.”
Posner Supports NRRHF Capital Campaign
The National Railroad Hall of Fame has received a $200,000 capital campaign gift from Henry I. Posner, III for the organization’s visitor attraction in Galesburg. Posner, Chairman of Railroad Development Corporation, chairs