(BNSF Photograph)

U.S. Rail Traffic Remains Flat in Week 20, AAR

For the week ending May 18, 2024 (Week 20), total U.S. rail traffic came in at 474,886 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.9%—virtually flat—vs. the same week last year, according to a May 22 Association of American Railroads (AAR) report. It is the fourth consecutive week that carloads and intermodal containers and trailers combined were comparable to the prior-year periods.

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 19

Through the first 19 weeks of 2024 (ending May 11), total North American carload and intermodal traffic rose 2.0% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported May 8. The U.S., Canada and Mexico all experienced gains.

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill Recap

More than 300 participants from Class I and short line freight railroads, along with representatives from suppliers and supporting associations, visited more than 270 bipartisan offices on May 8 for Railroad Day on Capitol Hill.

(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 18

Through the first 18 weeks of 2024 (ending May 4), total North American carload and intermodal traffic rose 2.1% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported May 8. The U.S., Canada and Mexico all experienced gains.

The automotive transload facilities operated by CSX Total Distribution Services Inc. earned high marks on two recent Destination Quality Reviews conducted by the Association of American Railroads. (CSX Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CSX, NS, UP

CSX hosts a drone training session for the Wounded Warrior Project, and CSX Total Distribution Services Inc. receives top marks on quality reviews. Also, Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Lamberts Point ramps up coal dumping and Juniata Locomotive Shop restores the Lackawanna heritage locomotive; and Union Pacific (UP) celebrates the expansion of Southwest Texas Junior College’s Diesel Technology Program.

CN photo

AAR: Decreased Coal Shipments Cause U.S. Rail Declines in April

“U.S. Rail carloads declined in April primarily due to decreased coal shipments,” said Association of American Railroads (AAR) Chief Economist Rand Ghayad.

Nine Trade Associations Ask EPA to Meet November Deadline for 2026 RFS Volumes

Nine trade associations, including the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR), on April 29 sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator

Jason Reiling, MxV Rail (Left; Photograph Courtesy of MxV Rail); and Jeff Hall, HNTB (Photograph Courtesy of HNTB).

People News: MxV Rail, HNTB

MxV Rail (formerly TTCI) appoints Jason Reiling as Senior Assistant Vice President Business Development. Also, Jeff Hall joins infrastructure solutions firm HNTB as Project Controls Director based in Nashville, Tenn.

(SMART-TD Photograph)

Missouri Rep. Burlison Eyes Nullification of FRA Crew Size Rule

Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) on April 19 introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval that seeks nullification of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) final rule, 49 CFR Part 218 [Docket No. FRA-2021-0032, Notice No. 5], RIN 2130-AC88, Train Crew Size Safety Requirements, “establishing minimum safety requirements for the size of train crews.”

(Union Pacific Photograph)

AAR: Total Carload, Intermodal Volume Flat for Week 16

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 20, 2024 (Week 16), came in at 474,544 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.8%—virtually flat—compared with the same week last year, based on 216,945 carloads—down 6.7% from 2023—and intermodal volume of 257,599 containers and trailers—up 8.2%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported April 24.

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