RapidSOS Preps First Responders on Major Derailments
A partnership of first responders and Norfolk Southern via the RapidSOS platform provides train consist information to in the event of a major derailment.
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Commentary
EC Investigation Follows U.S. Attention to Chinese SOE Threat
The European Commission’s (EC) first-ever in-depth investigation under its new Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) has been heard worldwide. Predictably, this high-profile, anticompetitive case was directed at China. CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.),
Commentary
Passenger Trains That Might Never Leave the Station
The FRA recently came out with an interim report in its Long-Distance Rail Study, which was commissioned by Congress in §22214 of the Infrastructure Innovation and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as
Commentary
Are You Ready for 2024?
Rail Equipment Finance 2024: Does anyone remember the saying “In Like a Lion—Out Like a Lamb”? Intermodal loadings ended 2023 on a strong note and started out 2024 positive as well. The
Commentary
‘Dear Mr. Tilley’
I am responding on behalf of Anthony Coscia, Amtrak’s Chairman, to your Feb. 13 letter regarding Amtrak’s long-distance fleet. Since I already addressed many of your assertions (in bold italics below) in
Commentary
Adapt or Decline
Growth has yet to materialize for the rail industry. What is holding this industry back? Can railroads grow again? If so, how? 2023 saw yet another decline in rail traffic volumes, continuing this industry’s decades-long gradual trend. What philosophy is leading to this outcome?
People News: SEPTA, Wabtec
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) appoints Elisa Cunningham as Chief Technology Officer. Also, Wabtec Corporation elevates Kyra Yates to Vice President of Investor Relations.
Transit Briefs: DART, Metro-North, NJT, TriMet
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) offers a sneak peek of its new LRV seats. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad debuts its fourth heritage locomotive; New Jersey Transit (NJT) advances a mixed-use, multi-phase Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project near Hoboken Terminal, where it is also working on resiliency upgrades; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) proposes a $1.75 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.
Supply Side: Wabtec, Cummins, VLI/Progress Rail, Parsons, Alstom
Wabtec signs its first locomotive deal with Grupo RAS in Uruguay and offers a behind-the-scenes look at its brake pad manufacturing plant in Germany. Also, Accelera™ by Cummins commissions its first fuel-cell powered locomotive for Austria’s HY2RAIL project; VLI signs a contract to acquire eight EMD® locomotives from Progress Rail; Parsons wins position on a $1 billion contract to support Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) projects; and a new report highlights the influence of Alstom’s more than 170 years of work across the nation.
Class I Briefs: UP, NS
Union Pacific (UP) announces new intermodal service, honors employees for outstanding public safety commitment, and is named Railroad Carrier of the Year by MODE Global. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) is honored with the Outstanding Corporate Partner Award by Georgia Southern University (GSU) and recognizes Billy Garris for 51 years of safe service.
AAR: Carloads Down, Intermodal Up for Week 10
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 9, 2024 (Week 10) was up 5% from the prior-year period, as intermodal gains more than offset carload losses, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest report.
Biden’s FY25 Budget Request: Increased Funding for Public Transit, Passenger Rail
President Joe Biden on March 11 released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget request, outlining his Administration’s priorities for the next year. It proposes increased funding for public transit and passenger rail,
Reading & Northern Provides Updates on Nesquehoning Campus
Since acquiring the former KME properties in Nesquehoning, Pa., in 2022, the Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN) says it has made “great progress in shaping the campus as its own.”
Commentary
Greenbrier Group Meeting Takeaways From TD Cowen
We hosted a virtual group meeting with Justin Roberts, VP, Corporate Finance & Treasurer, The Greenbrier Companies. Mr. Roberts remains confident in GBX’s long-term operational plan, launched in April at the company’s first-ever investor day. Inquiry and order activity has been solid in recent weeks. He expects stable industry builds at or modestly above replacement for the next few years.
Transport Canada: C$9.8MM for Rail Safety in Quebec
Transport Canada on March 13 announced that it has prioritized investments of C$9.8 million for more than 70 projects across Quebec through the Rail Safety Improvement Program, including a C$472,679 project in Saint-Lazare for fencing off a section of rail in the Legault Road area.
Reports: NS to Cover East Palestine Cleanup, Face Residents’ Lawsuits
Following the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern (NS) derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, judges have found the Class I “alone will be responsible for paying for the cleanup,” according to the Associated
And the Winner is…Stuart! (Updated)
Brightline made the official announcement on Monday. The site for the railroad’s new “Treasure Coast station” will be Stuart, a town located about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach.
Dreier Appointed to STB’s RSTAC
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on March 12 announced that it has appointed Ryan Dreier to its Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC) as a large railroad representative.
NYMTA: ‘Best Ever’ February Performance for MNR, LIRR
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on March 11 announced that a record number of Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad (MNR) trains operated on time in February.
Watch: Caltrain Marks EMU Testing Milestone
Caltrain has conducted testing of its Stadler-built KISS bilevel EMUs between Redwood City and Mountain View, Calif., marking a new milestone in the electrification of the system, due to launch this fall.