32 Companies Earn BNSF Sustainability Awards

BNSF is honoring 32 companies with sustainability awards in recognition of their “significant achievement in one of several categories, including: investments in sustainable infrastructure, supply chain efficiencies, sustainable technology implementation, sustainability leadership and partnership with other like-minded organizations.”

(Courtesy of American Seating)

GR Seating Acquiring American Seating Assets

NFI Group and GILLIG on Oct. 22 reported forming a 50/50 joint venture, GR Seating, LLC, to acquire the assets of Michigan-based American Seating Inc., a producer of seats for rail and

(Screen grabs from ASLRRA videos)

Call for Nominations: ASLRRA’s Safety Person, Safety Professional of the Year Awards

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is accepting nominations for its annual Safety Person of the Year and Safety Professional of the Year awards. The deadline has been extended

RUN 2025 Fall Conference Preview

At its fall online conference on Friday, Nov. 14, the Rail Users’ Network (RUN) will observe 25 years of advocating for an improved Amtrak, more rail transi, and better connections between the

Ryan Ratledge of Pinsly and Anna Lynn Smith of HDR. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: Pinsly/STB, HDR, OLI

Pinsly Railroad Company President and CEO Ryan Ratledge joins the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC). Also, Anna Lynn Smith rejoins HDR as Intercity and High-Speed Rail Lead; and Operation Lifesaver, Inc., (OLI) welcomes four new state coordinators.

The CapMetro Board of Directors on Oct. 20 approved Transit Plan 2035, which is described as “a blueprint that will guide how the agency’s system grows, adapts and serves central Texas over the next decade and beyond.” (Courtesy of CapMetro)

Transit Briefs: Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail, CapMetro

HNTB Corporation will study the feasibility of connecting Austin and San Antonio, Tex., via commuter rail. Also, CapMetro’s Transit Plan 2035 for central Texas is approved.

Class I Briefs: NS, UP, CSX

Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Bellevue Yard raises the bar on safety and service. Also, NS commits $2 million to a safer Atlanta; Union Pacific (UP) earns Gold in Shell Chemicals’ MVP Awards; and CSX’s REDI Center celebrates 20 years of workforce development.

Calif. Invests Nearly $5B in Local Transportation Projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on Oct. 20 approved $4.9 billion to improve safety and mobility on local streets and state highways, as well as fund new alternative transportation options and zero emissions projects.

(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Down for Week 42

While U.S. rail traffic dipped 2.6% for the week ending Oct. 18, 2025, vs. the same week last year, it saw a modest gain through the first 42 weeks of 2025, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Oct. 22.

Wabtec 3Q25: ‘Continued Growth in Backlog, Sales, Margin and Earnings’

“The Wabtec team delivered a very strong quarter, evidenced by continued growth in our backlog, sales, margin, and earnings,” President and CEO Rafael Santana said Oct. 22 in a third-quarter 2025 financial report.

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