NTSB Issues Preliminary Report for NS July 18 Derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of the July 18, 2025, Norfolk Southern (NS) derailment with subsequent collision and hazardous materials release near Browns, Ill.

Prendergast Keynoting Next-Gen Rail Systems Conference

Rail industry icon Thomas F. Prendergast, CEO of Gateway Development Commission, leads off  Next-Gen Rail Systems, the communications, signaling and advanced technology conference presented by Railway Age, and formerly known as Next-Gen Train

OmniTRAX has been named the exclusive rail partner for WE Soda’s largest U.S. mine, Westvaco in Green River, Wyo. (Photograph Courtesy of OmniTRAX)

For OmniTRAX, Another Wyoming Mining Partnership

OmniTRAX on Aug. 14 reported signing an agreement with a second soda ash producer to provide exclusive third-party rail switching in Green River, Wyo. In addition to serving the Tata Chemical Soda

Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, Santa Clara VTA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signs off on Metro’s Transit Blue Line Extension environmental review. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors votes to join the California Senate Bill 63 endorsement and sticks with a single-bore tunnel for the final phase of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Extension.

Small-Road Briefs: New York & Atlantic Railway, R.J. Corman, Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET) members ratify a two-year agreement with the New York & Atlantic Railway (NY&A). Also, R.J. Corman Signaling Manager Shane Burks II joins the 2025-26 Leadership Lexington Program; and Charlotte Pipe and Foundry opens a new facility in Maize, Kans., which has premier access to Watco’s Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad.

“Shippers have been frontloading their cargo for months to get ahead of tariffs and recent activity at America’s top port really tells that story,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said Aug. 13 (Port of LA Photograph)

For Ports of LA, Long Beach, ‘Record’ July Cargo

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach reported setting July cargo records, handling 1,019,837 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) and 944,232 TEUs, respectively, as retailers and manufacturers brought in goods at an elevated pace due to concerns of higher tariffs later this year.

(Image Courtesy of NS)

Class I Briefs: NS, CSX

Norfolk Southern (NS) introduces the Community Impact Ambassadors team. Also, CSX partners with Sappi North America.

Industrial Development Briefs: Conagra Brands, TexAmericas Center

Conagra Brands opens its newest distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas. Also, TexAmericas Center adds locomotive power to support rail growth and tenant demand.

Virginia DRPT Breaks Record in Truck Diversion Via Freight Rail Programs

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) announced what it claims is “another record-breaking year in truck diversion” through its freight rail programs, allowing the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue

(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Up Through Week 32

U.S. rail traffic not only rose for the week ending Aug. 9, 2025, vs. the same week last year but also realized a modest gain through 2025’s first 32 weeks, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Aug. 13.

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