‘Force Multipliers’
RAILWAY AGE, SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE: Drones are helping railroaders assess risk, reduce dwell, and boost efficiency and safety.
news
STB Grants Metra’s ‘Terminal Trackage Rights’ Application
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Sept. 2 granted Metra’s application for terminal trackage rights to continue commuter rail service over three lines in the Chicago metropolitan area owned by host freight railroad Union Pacific, and it denied UP’s motion to dismiss that application.
Watco Logistics Acquires Colossal Transport Solutions
Watco Logistics announced Sept. 2 that it has acquired Colossal Transport Solutions, a provider of logistics for over-dimensional and heavy-haul cargo in a move that the company says will “enhance its multimodal project cargo capabilities and reinforcing its commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and turnkey logistics solutions.”
2025 Light Rail Conference Focus: CONOPS, Service Delivery
This year, Railway Age and RT&S are pleased to venture to Pittsburgh on Oct. 1-2 for the much-anticipated 2025 Light Rail Conference, featuring a packed lineup of LRT (light rail transit) professionals
Now On Line: Railway Age September 2025 Digital Edition
The September 2025 issue of Railway Age is now available digitally, with deep dives into autonomous trains and drones, plus an inside look at Norfolk Southern’s Juniata Locomotive Shop, a 21st century facility that builds on its 19th century roots.
Transit Briefs: MDOT, BART, Denver RTD, Caltrain, LIRR
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) releases its $21.5 billion draft six-year capital budget. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) unveils its Cab Cam series, showcasing the agency’s entire system in 4K; Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) transit police uses virtual reality technology to build upon real world technical skills; Caltrain installs digital displays at South Santa Clara County stations; and Gatekeeper announces a C$27 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) transit video project with New York Metropolitan Authority’s (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Remains Flat in Week 35
Total U.S. weekly rail traffic for the week ending Aug. 30, 2025 (Week 35) came in at 521,502 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.9%—virtually flat from the same week in 2024, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Sept. 3.
People News: IANA, Port of LA, Rajant
The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) hires Lucille Marvin for the newly created role of Vice President for Government Affairs. Also, Melanie Roberts joins the Port of Los Angeles as Human Resources Director; and Cris Boyd signs on as Chief Growth Officer at Rajant Corporation (Rajant), a network technology company with customers in the rail, ports, mining, military, energy, manufacturing and logistics, municipalities, and agriculture sectors.
SMART-MD Ratifies Agreement With UP
Members of the International Association of Sheet, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD) have ratified an agreement with Union Pacific (UP). The American Arbitration Association finalized the vote
FTA: Nominations Welcome for TRACS
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking nominations for TRACS (Transit Advisory Committee for Safety) membership. Qualified individuals, including past members, may apply and self-nominations are accepted. The deadline is Oct. 2,
Commentary
Is Shipper Salvation Performance Standards?
WATCHING WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE: One’s eyes are wide shut not to acknowledge a polarizing dispute ensnaring railroads and their captive shippers—those lacking effective transportation alternatives—in a muddy morass as to whether
Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN, NS
BNSF provides customers with an intermodal network update. Also, CN partners with Autism Canada; and Norfolk Southern (NS) contributes $50,000 to Rebuilding Together New Orleans.
Commentary
Merger Dialogue: Shades of ‘Pride and Prejudice’
FINANCIAL EDGE, RAILWAY AGE SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE: The North American rail media sphere has been dominated by the Union Pacific+Norfolk Southern merger/acquisition and by the inevitable fallout about what will happen next:
Transit Briefs: LACMTA, HART, MBTA, TriMet
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects FlatironDragados to build two key rail projects. Also, Segment 2 trial operations are under way for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) Skyline project; installation of new Commuter Rail fare gates is starting at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Station; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s (TriMet) Transit Police Division welcomes back the Portland Police Bureau.
Commentary
POTUS 47 Turmoil Reaches STB
Disruption at the Surface Transportation Board: One of the attributes of the freight transportation sector we’ve always liked has been its low politicization. People in and around the industry care about stuff
Commentary
SEPTA: Drastic Service Cuts Begin, Deeper Cuts Planned for 2026 (UPDATED, 9/2)
Philadelphia has been able to boast many “firsts” in its history, including being the place where the United States was founded almost 250 years ago. Effective Aug. 24 and continuing on Sept.
Commentary
One Merger at a Time, Please
FROM THE EDITOR, RAILWAY AGE SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE: As I write this, it’s the late afternoon of Friday, Aug. 29, the end of one of the strangest weeks I’ve ever encountered in
Watco Adding GLC to Small-Road Portfolio
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has granted authority for Watco Holdings, Inc. to acquire control of the 379.2-mile Class III Great Lakes Central Railroad, Inc., subject to certain conditions. The acquisition will
Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Infrastructure Ontario/Metrolinx
Sound Transit’s Link 1 Line to Federal Way will begin on Dec. 6. Also, Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx select Trillium Rail Partners (TRP) to deliver the Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS) package for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.
IntelliTrans Opens New Atlanta Headquarters
Global multimodal transportation management software provider IntelliTrans on Aug. 28 announced the official opening of its new corporate headquarters in Atlanta.