news

OIG recommends that Amtrak "develop an overarching strategy and analyze the data necessary to measure its service quality."

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Amtrak OIG, SEPTA, Caltrans

Amtrak celebrates the state-sponsored Borealis trains reaching a quarter-million riders. Also, the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) identifies opportunities where the company can improve its service to passengers with disabilities; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) releases its crime report for the first half of 2025; and Caltrans awards the Fresno Council of Governments $700,000 for the “Fresno Metropolitan Light Rail Feasibility Study.”

(Norfolk Southern Photograph)

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 28

North American carload and intermodal traffic for the first 28 weeks of 2025 (ending July 12) was up 2.9% from the prior-year period, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest rail traffic report. While the United States and Canada both saw gains, Mexico experienced a loss.

NTSB Determines Probable Cause for NS Conductor Injury

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final report for its investigation of the Aug. 27, 2024, Norfolk Southern (NS) conductor who was seriously injured while coupling coal railcars at the Class I’s Empty Yard in Lambert’s Point Yard, Norfolk, Va.

(Screen Grab of The Ocean train from VIA Rail Canada Video)

VIA Rail Marks Milestones

VIA Rail Canada on July 15 celebrated the completion of its Halifax Station renovation project, part of a C$80 million investment to upgrade four “heritage” stations. Canada’s national passenger railroad marked another

BNSF Launches Expedited LA to Houston Intermodal Service

BNSF on July 15 announced the launch of a new, expedited third-day rail service from Los Angeles to Houston, “marking a significant advancement in BNSF’s ability to deliver fast, consistent and reliable transportation solutions, further expanding its reach into the dynamic and growing Houston market.”

  • News

NS’s Adams Tops 2025 Women in Rail Lineup

Topping the list of reasons to attend the much-anticipated 2025 Women in Rail Conference is kick-off speaker Annie Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer at Norfolk Southern (NS). Railway Age and RT&S are

A map of the proposed route for Northlander passenger rail service showing stops at Union Station (Toronto), Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, North Bay, Temagami, Timiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, and Timmins (South Porcupine), with a rail connection to Cochrane. (Courtesy of Ontario Government)

Transit Briefs: Northlander, NYMTA, APTA

Construction is under way at the Timmins-Porcupine Station in Ontario, Canada, part of the Northlander passenger-rail revival project. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) posts ridership, performance and safety improvements in first-half 2025; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes two members’ outstanding sustainability achievements.

(CISA Logo)

CISA Issues EoT, HoT Device Advisory

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released an Industrial Control Systems (ICS) advisory regarding End-of-Train (EoT) and Head-of-Train (HoT) devices.

  • News

STV Promotes O’Reilly to Vice President

STV announced July 10 that Megan O’Reilly has been promoted to Vice President. In this role, she will lead the firm’s new national outreach and engagement strategies practice.

“The strength of our transload network lies in partnerships—whether it’s third-party operators or short line railroads,” says Helen Quirke, Vice President, Supply Chain and Business Development at CN. “When we align our capabilities, we open up new markets, simplify logistics, and create real value for customers.” (CN Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CN, UP, CSX

CN eyes a transload network expansion with its Top-Tier Transload Partner Program. Also, Union Pacific (UP) replaces all rail infrastructure—inside a tunnel—in less than 24 hours on the Black Butte Subdivision, and opens applications for its third-annual Sustainability Partner Award program; and CSX’s Waycross, Ga., yard team marks a safety milestone.

Port Muskogee South (formerly Frontier Terminal) at 4511 Callery Drive, Muskogee, Oka. (Courtesy of Port Muskogee)

Port Muskogee Expands South With 125-Acre Site

The Muskogee City-County Port Authority (Port Muskogee) in Oklahoma has acquired 125.49 acres, with direct access to the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS), which the Port said will create “significant multimodal freight opportunities by river, rail and road.”

(Source: CPKC and Loop Capital)
Commentary

State of the Rails: Fourth of July Effect, Part 1

Given the Fourth of July effect in the most recent weekly data, we’ll give Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) a break from our weekly critique as it continues to try to restore fluidity after the May 3 U.S. IT cutover from
the old Kansas City Southern (KCS) Management Control System (MCS) to Canadian Pacific’s (CP) “TYES” system. Just kidding.

Commentary

Heartland Flyer Gets a Lifeline

Our friends at Texas Rail Advocates (led by our own Chair Emeritus Peter LeCody) reported July 10 that the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council has come up with

Paul J. Wiedefeld, outgoing MDOT Secretary (left), and Subash Iyer of Kaplan Kirsch LLP. (Photographs courtesy of MDOT and Kaplan Kirsch, respectively)
  • News

People News: MDOT, Kaplan Kirsch

Paul J. Wiedefeld is stepping down as Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary. Also, Kaplan Kirsch LLP grows its legal bench with the addition of former U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Acting General Counsel Subash Iyer.