People News: WTS International, FTA
WTS International appoints Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins as CEO. Also, Marcus J. Molinaro is confirmed as the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 16th Administrator.
Breaking News
FRA Cancels $26MM in Funds for DC-Baltimore SCMAGLEV Project
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Aug. 1 announced that it will cancel two grants totaling more than $26 million for the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMAGLEV) Project, due to what U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy calls the project’s “poor planning, significant community opposition, and tremendous cost overruns.”
First Patriot Rail Locomotive Arrives at Rocky Mountain Rail Park
Patriot Rail recently announced via a LinkedIn post that the first locomotive at the Rocky Mountain Rail Park on its Front Range Railroad (FRRR) has arrived, “marking a significant milestone” in the
Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach Seek Short Line Operator (UPDATED, 8/4)
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on May 20 announced that they are accepting proposals from prospective short line railroad operators interested in providing railroad operating and maintenance services within
BNSF 2Q25, 1H25: Revenue Essentially Flat, Operating Income Up, OR Down
BNSF’s second-quarter and first-half 2025 financials saw the Berkshire Hathaway-owned Class I post healthy operating income gains and operating ratio and operating expense decreases, with essentially flat revenues and modest volume gains.
CPKC Releases Sustainability Data Report
CPKC has published its latest sustainability data report, which comprises environmental, social and governance data for the 2024 calendar year.
DOT Roundup: Michigan, North Carolina, Connecticut
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are seeking public input on a draft 2026-2030 transportation program and on projects to include in the 2028-2037 transportation plan, respectively. Also, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has released its second-annual Customer Experience Action Plan Progress Report.
Hitachi Rail Acquires Omnicom (UPDATED 8/1)
Hitachi Rail announced Jan. 17 that it had agreed to acquire Omnicom, a digital rail monitoring business, from Balfour Beatty, “marking a key strategic pillar for Hitachi Rail’s new digital asset management
Report: LA Metro Settles Lawsuit, Moves Forward With Hyundai Contract
LA Metro recently agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a lawsuit over alleged violations of state and federal law and its own manufacturing policy related to a multi-million-dollar contract with South Korean
IANA: Intermodal ‘Stays Strong’ in 2Q25
The Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) latest report finds that total intermodal volume in second-quarter 2025 was up 2.4% from the same quarter last year—part of a “strong” first half of 2025, which was “backed by a rush to move as much freight as possible before tariffs go into effect.”