So Long, Heavy Rulebooks
RAILWAY AGE JULY 20224 ISSUE: Handheld devices are here to stay.
Association of American Railroads
AAR Launches ‘Rail Industry Overview’
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Policy and Economics Department on July 8 released Rail Industry Overview, a new complimentary monthly report that the association said offers “quick insights into what rail traffic says about today’s economy and where the data suggest it could be headed.”
AAR: Rail Traffic ‘Balanced’ Through June; New Report Launching July 8
“June rail traffic continued the trends we’ve seen throughout the first half of 2024, with coal shipments declining and pulling total carloads below 2023 levels,” AAR Chief Economist Rand Ghayad reported July 3. “However, this decline is balanced by growth in other sectors, including chemicals, motor vehicles and intermodal shipments.”
People News: ASLRRA, MBTA
Sarah Yurasko, Senior Vice President, Law and General Counsel for the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), has been admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. Also, WTS International and its Boston Chapter have selected as member of the year Katie Kalugin, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Deputy Director of Administration.
AAR: Carloads Down, Intermodal Up in Week 25
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 22, 2024 (Week 25) was up 3.6% from the prior-year period, as intermodal gains more than offset carload losses, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest report.
People News: ACTA, STV, AAR, NTSB
The Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) elects Tim McOsker as Board Chair. Also, STV elevates senior transportation leaders to support the growing Texas/Mountain Region; Union Pacific’s (UP) Sanjay Verna becomes the new Chairperson of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee; and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member J. Todd Inman welcomes a new team to his staff.
CN Eyes Expansion of ‘In-Train Wheelset Replacement Program’
CN subsidiary Illinois Central (IC) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance to add a new location to its “in-train wheelset replacement program,” according to an FRA notice in the Federal Register’s June 25 edition. The program currently operates under a waiver at a facility in Fulton, Ky., and has been “a resounding success,” the railroad told FRA.
STB Sets 3Q24 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for third-quarter 2024 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”
Commentary
How Freight Rail Sets the Benchmark for Safety Standards, Performance
Innovation and a strong culture are driving a safer future for freight rail.
AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 24
Through the first 24 weeks of 2024 (ending June 15), total North American carload and intermodal traffic rose 2.0% from the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The U.S., Canada and Mexico all experienced gains.