CSX wraps up a hump lead extension project at Avon Yard in Indianapolis, Ind. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) appoints industry veteran Gordon Trafton as Board Vice Chair, and is recognized as a top Alberta employer for 2026.
The Phoenix City Council approves a new expansion of Valley Metro’s light rail system to west Phoenix. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) readies to move record crowds to Super Bowl LX; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces that subway customer satisfaction is at an all-time high and sets a record with $15.8 billion in capital investments in 2025.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule concerning reflectorization of rail freight rolling stock. The rule, 49 CFR Part 224, which went into effect on Jan. 27, “codifies waivers and removed an outdated implementation schedule.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final report for its investigation of the Nov. 4, 2024, accident involving a BNSF maintenance-of-way (m/w) employee who was fatally struck by a BNSF freight train while driving a welding truck across a highway/rail grade crossing near New Rockford, N.Dak.
In reporting fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Jan. 28, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) President and CEO Keith Creel said, “Despite macroeconomic and trade policy headwinds in 2025, our Precision Scheduled Railroading model again enabled us to control costs and deliver a record core adjusted operating ratio while capitalizing on our unique growth opportunities.”
![“We are honored that VRE has once again placed its trust in Keolis,” Keolis President and CEO Brad Thomas said. “This [contract] renewal underscores the operational excellence our teams deliver each day, and we remain committed to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer service as we support the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia] region’s mobility needs.” (VRE Photograph)](https://www.old.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/vre-1-315x168.png)
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) renews its contract with Keolis North America (Keolis). Also, construction is under way on Metrolinx’s Bowmanville Extension project that will bring the Lakeshore East GO line into the Durham Region of Southern Ontario, Canada.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) hires David Dech as its next President. Also, Kimberly Lesay joins HNTB as Transportation Planning Practice Consultant; and GoRail remembers Michael Gaynor, who assumed the role of President in 2025.
When Winter Storm Fern tore through most of the eastern half of the country, freight trains kept moving, but not at the same rate everywhere, according to real-time network visibility provider RailState, whose sensors across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana show “markedly different patterns,” in train volumes and lengths on the network it monitors.
Norfolk Southern (NS) on Jan. 27 released its 2025 Report on Safety Accomplishments and Ongoing Initiatives, which it said details year-over-year progress, including a 31% reduction in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-reportable train accident rate (the railroad’s “best in more than a decade”) and a 15% reduction in FRA-reportable injury rate, plus 1 million manhours “injury free.”
Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak on Oct. 20 announced that New York State has secured a series of improvements to rail service on the Empire State Corridor between Albany and New York City.
Total U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jan. 24, 2026 (Week 3) was up 6.0% from the prior-year period, with gains in both carloads and intermodal volume, according to the Association of American Railroad’s (AAR) latest report.
Construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP), a key component of the Gateway Program, will “pause if disbursements of federal funds do not resume in the coming days,” the Gateway Development Commission
With an STB merger refiling for the acquisition of Norfolk Southern anticipated “in the coming weeks,” Union Pacific (UP) posted “a record-breaking year and delivered best-ever safety, service, and operating results in
Greenbrier Leasing Europe (GBXLE) on Jan. 27 reported partnering with Chicago-based Amsted Digital Solutions SAS (Amsted Digital) to launch a freight-car truck monitoring initiative “aimed at advancing condition-based maintenance across the European rail freight sector.”
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) receives its second Gold Standard Award for Transit Security Excellence. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) celebrates the opening of the first transit-oriented development (TOD) housing to open in more than 20 years.
Union Pacific (UP) is joining in the celebration of 250 years of American independence and innovation this year with its first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour led by Big Boy No. 4014. The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will be joined by two commemorative locomotives, including the railroad’s newest locomotive: No. 1776 – America250.
BNSF on Jan. 26 announced a $3.6 billion capital plan for 2026 that devotes $2.8 billion to maintenance and $358 million to “expansion and efficiency” projects.
OmniTRAX announced Jan. 27 that Ryan Dreier has been named Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Dreier joined OmniTRAX as Executive Vice President in 2025, following an extensive career at BNSF Railway. In his
Norfolk Southern (NS) earns a spot on Fortune magazine’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) Trenton, Mo., Engineering team marks a safety milestone.
HDR promotes Brian Buchanan to Transit Program Management Lead. Also, North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) promotes Ioni Tcholakova to Director of Service Planning.
