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While SC Ports enjoyed significant accomplishments in 2025, there are still challenges to navigate, President and CEO Micah Mallace acknowledged during his first State of the Port address. (Photo Courtesy of English Hurteau)

Intermodal Briefs: Lowndes County PA, SC Ports

Lowndes County Port Authority (PA) and Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) advance a $14.1 million rail spur project in Mississippi. Also, South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) President and CEO Micah Mallace details a growth plan in his first State of the Port address.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, STM, RTA

LA Metro’s ridership holds strong amid regional challenges. Also, Société de transport de Montréal’s (STM) strike could be the first test of a new Quebec labor law; and the Regional Transportation Authority (Chicago, Ill.) walks back 2026 fare increases for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra.

Commentary

A Grandfather’s Influence, a Railroader’s Journey

Jacob Elium, VP of Financial Planning and Analysis, didn’t just choose a career in railroading; he followed a path carved decades earlier by his grandfather, Robert “Bob” Elium. His grandfather’s career was one of determination, pride, and decades of hands-on experience.

Commentary

Metro-North to Albany a Big Deal?

Starting next spring, on a date not yet announced, trains will again run on a regularly scheduled basis between New York City’s Grand Central Terminal (GCT) and Amtrak’s Albany-Rensselaer station. While track

(Courtesy of Railway Age)
  • News

Railway Age November 2025 Digital Edition Spotlights Women in Rail Awards

Railway Age’s ninth annual Women in Rail program recognizes women in the North American freight, passenger, and supply sectors who are paving the way for the next generation. These 25 trailblazers—plus five earning Honorable Mention—are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for women in an industry typically dominated by men.

Class I Briefs: UP, NS

Students from The Rail Academy of Central California (TRACC) get a hands-on experience at Union Pacific’s (UP) Stockton Yard. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) partners with the Atlanta Falcons and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for STEAM Day 2025.

SFMTA is saying “farewell” to an icon of San Francisco transit: Muni’s Breda-built LRVs. (Courtesy of SFMTA)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, NJT, SJJPA, DART, Caltrain, Denver RTD, Alstom

After three decades of service and more than 10 million trips, the Breda light rail vehicles at San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) are being retired. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) marks a renovation milestone at Mahwah Station; San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) rebrands the Amtrak San Joaquins service in California; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) extends discounted fare card benefits amid the government shutdown; California’s Caltrain releases its customer satisfaction survey results; Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) is developing a comprehensive plan for additional, dedicated event service; and Alstom will hire more than 100 employees at its Plattsburgh, N.Y., plant to meet increased railcar demand.

(Photograph Courtesy of NRLC)

NCCC, BLET Reach Tentative National Agreement

The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) on Nov. 3 reported reaching a tentative national agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), which covers more than 11,000 members at 10 railroads.

Pictured are BNSF Locomotive Engineer Buddy Hall (right) and Conductor Ioannis Kalogiros on the first train to operate in Canada under Positive Train Control (PTC) protection. (BNSF Photograph)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CSX, NS

BNSF expands its Positive Train Control footprint and reaches a safety milestone. Also, CSX ranks on Florida’s Best Employers list by Forbes; and Norfolk Southern (NS) is donating $1 million to support Hampton Roads, Va., nonprofits, earns a sustainability award, and marks safety records.

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Tri-Rail, DC Streetcar, Denver RTD, MDOT, SacRT, PANYNJ, TransLink

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will modernize its entire fare collection system. Also, Tri-Rail will end $5 rideshare voucher program; DC Streetcar service will end on March 31, 2026; the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) restricts advertisements on train windows; the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) launches a new transit incentive to encourage Baltimore-area commuters to try transit; the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) invests $1 million in its safety and security program; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) PATH commuter rail achieves its second-busiest month since the pandemic; and TransLink celebrates 30 years of the West Coast Express.

Report: Ill. Lawmakers Approve $1.5B Mass Transit Bill

Illinois lawmakers recently approved $1.5 billion in new funding for public transportation agencies “without large statewide tax increases previously proposed,” according to a Capitol News Illinois report. According to the report, the

(BNSF Photograph)

BNSF 3Q25: Revenue, Volume Up, OR Down

BNSF’s third-quarter and first nine months of 2025 financials saw the Berkshire Hathaway-owned Class I railroad post total revenue and volume gains, as well as operating ratio (OR) declines. The OR for