The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for first-quarter 2026 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), which is defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”
The Senate Dec. 18 voted 53-43, along party lines, to confirm STB member Michelle A. Schultz to a second two-year term on the five-member agency.
The level of granularity in evaluating thousands of pages of a merger application prompted William H. Tucker, when a member of Surface Transportation Board (STB) predecessor Interstate Commerce Commission in 1967, to equate the regulatory process with “a trial for first degree homicide.”
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces major congestion pricing-funded subway improvement projects moving forward. Also, Canada and TransLink invest in traction power upgrades across Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain network; and KC Streetcar’s Riverfront Extension officially enters the testing phase.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), representing 53% of the unionized workforce at Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS), on Dec. 17 announced their opposition to the $85 billion plan to merge the two Class I railroads. On Dec. 22, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) also reported opposing the UP-NS combination.
Association of American Railroads (AAR) subsidiary Railinc teams with NC State University on a “modal rebalancing” study. Also, commercial rail transport management and consulting firm AllTranstek, LLC (AllTranstek) is the prevailing bidder for RAS Data Services’ (RAS) assets.
My report on the Dec. 4 Amtrak Board meeting in New Orleans included a proposal by Scott R. Spencer, Chief Operating Officer of AmeriStarRail, who proposed rebranding the new NextGen Acela as
Denver, Colo.-based Alpenglow Rail and partner Toronto, Canada-based Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure (CC&L Infrastructure) on Dec. 17 reported closing “an inaugural private placement financing” that raised C$280 million-plus, a transaction described as “oversubscribed” and receiving an “investment grade rating.”
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) names its 2024 Safe Shipper Award honorees. Also, Union Pacific (UP) is developing a 2,040-acre industrial park just outside Houston, Tex.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has named Matt Carne, Senior Manager, Safety & Training, Modesto & Empire Traction Company, as its 2026 Safety Professional of the Year, and
Alstom will supply 47 DMUs for the government’s passenger revival program.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Dec. 16 signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, SB2111, into law, “marking a landmark action in modernizing Illinois’ transit system.” The law creates a new regional authority to oversee the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace, “while delivering significant investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state—all without raising statewide taxes.”
Total U.S. carload and intermodal traffic for the week ending Dec. 13, 2025, dipped 1.4% from the same point last year, marking the 10th consecutive week of fall offs, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest report, released Dec. 17.
VIA Rail President and CEO Mario Péloquin will retire after a 41-year career. Also, HDR promotes Miloš Vasiljević to Transportation Program Management Director; and STV bolsters its Florida Transportation Leadership with three strategic promotions.
CSX on Dec. 16 announced its collaboration with Southern Coil Solutions (SCS-02), celebrating the official launch of their advanced rail-served warehouse for aluminum and steel coil storage and distribution in Bowling Green, Ky.
Trinity Metro partners with the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) to allow free rides for high school students. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ridership continues its upward trend in November; Sound Transit selects a developer for Federal Way transit-oriented development (TOD) sites; and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) brings the holiday season to life with themed light rail wraps.
BNSF celebrates Darigold’s new facility at its Certified Site in Pasco, Wash., and officially closes its 7,000th highway/rail grade crossing. Also, Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Safety Train marks 10 years of first-responder education.
The Amtrak Board of Directors held its year-end 2025 meeting earlier this month in New Orleans, the site of a celebration held three-and-a-half months ago for the inauguration of Mardi Gras Service
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 15 announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) through Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants for Fiscal Year 2026 that makes $1.5 billion available for infrastructure projects across the country.
Sierra Northern Railway’s (SNR) Ventura Division and Operation Toy Train kick off the holiday season in Southern California. Also, Union Pacific (UP) and potential merger partner Norfolk Southern (NS) celebrate in Houston,
