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.