When you’re carrying the world’s freight, it can be hard to change direction. It’s a challenge that every railroad and railroad customer faces. But rail is an industry that’s known for doing the impossible: learning from mistakes, adapting to become smarter, and evolving to do a big job even better.
WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE, MARCH 2025 ISSUE: Amidst the societal chaos midst the societal chaos unleashed on official Washington by POTUS 47, a point of light is his choice of six-year STB veteran Patrick J. Fuchs, age 37, to chair the independent (from Executive Branch) Surface Transportation Board (STB), whose five members are Senate confirmed with the President selecting one to control the docket.
Newly released 2024 data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) confirms that “continued investment in innovation, infrastructure, and workforce expertise are making rail transportation even safer,” the Association of American Railroads (AAR)
The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission (HCPHC) announced March 6 the completion of the Port Bienville Railroad Storage Yard in Bay St. Louis, Miss. This $6 million investment, funded by the
Wabtec Corporation on March 6 announced that it has secured approval as a RailPulse Certified Telematics Vendor, “marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to improving the safety and productivity of rail shipments through its advanced railcar telematics platform.”
Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) on March 5 announced the appointment of Michael Naatz as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Dick Davidson looks back on his life with a touch of amazement and a hefty helping of gratitude. At age 83, he still marvels at its trajectory: a Kansas boy raised by a single mother on a farm without indoor plumbing who joined the railroad as a brakeman to help pay for college and, after graduation, stayed to become chairman and CEO of Union Pacific Railroad.
Elon Musk, POTUS 47’s First Pal and sometimes favorite Elmo when not mistaken for the real POTUS, suggested March 5 that Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) be privatized.
The announcement of DavRail Inc.’s partnership with Affective Rail & Plant allows DavRail the distribution rights to Affective Rail & Plant’s rail handling and logistics equipment in North and South America.
More critical minerals will be shipped from the Port of Churchill. Also, the Port of Long Beach advances hydrogen projects and a new rating system is proposed for California port-related emissions.
For the first nine weeks of the year, ending March 1, 2025, North American carload and intermodal traffic increased 2.3% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported March 5. The United States saw a gain, while Canada and Mexico experienced losses.
![“Between improved reliability, safety enhancements, and amenities, R211 cars will make a world of difference for G train riders,” MTA NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow said March 4. “The R211 [rapid transit] cars are state of the art and less prone to breakdowns, which means smoother trips and more reliable service for decades to come.” The cars operate with an open gangway; NYCT debuted them on the C line in 2024. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)](https://www.old.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/nymta2-315x168.png)
The first set of Kawasaki-built open-gangway rapid transit cars is now running on MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) crosstown G line. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) is speeding up efforts to replace windows on all Multilevel commuter railcars in revenue service; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is expanding a pilot program that screens riders for weapons; South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter rail system may face a $90 million annual deficit; and Fort Worth, Tex., eyes a downtown rail system.
5V, a newly formed partnership between Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC and Viserion Grain, LLC, will develop a new Union Pacific (UP)-served facility in Dalhart, Tex. Also, Frontier Lithium has closed on the acquisition of a Thunder Bay, Ontario-based industrial site, with access to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) service.
HNTB welcomes JR Hudnall as Project Controls Director in Denver. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) interim General Manager Scott Sauer honors regional rail conductors.
Genesee & Wyoming’s (G&W) First Coast Railroad (FCRD) celebrates 20 years. Also, 14 Watco teams achieve safety milestones in February.
Railway Age’s Short Line and Regional of the Year program recognizes two Honorees and four Honorable Mentions for outstanding achievement—from ingenuity in dealing with the unexpected, safety improvements, and community initiatives to
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) seeks the public’s input on proposed 2026 less-than-inflation fare increase. Also, Valley Metro begins two-line rail system testing in downtown Phoenix to prepare for the opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub; the Honolulu City Auditor releases a new audit on Skyline; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) launches a locomotive engineer program in northern Manitoba.
France-based VINCI Energies and its subsidiary TCI+ of Quebec, Canada, acquire railway signaling design, installation and maintenance company X-Rail Signalisation Inc. (X-Rail). Also, RayHawk Technologies Inc. (RayHawk) receives funding from the government of Canada to commercialize its railcar loading/unloading technology.
Norfolk Southern (NS) achieves a milestone with its Digital Train Inspection Portal and launches an employee-focused branding campaign. Also, Union Pacific (UP) supports an Illinois nonprofit that empowers U.S. veterans.
Cargo theft cost Class I railroads more than $100 million in 2024, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), which is calling for government support to combat it.
