“Safety is the foundation of everything we do at CPKC, and our Safe Shipper Award represents that commitment—not only for our railroad but for the dedicated shippers who share our vision,” CPKC Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing Coby Bullard said during the railroad’s Dec. 17 announcement of the award honorees for 2024. (CPKC Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CPKC, UP

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) names its 2024 Safe Shipper Award honorees. Also, Union Pacific (UP) is developing a 2,040-acre industrial park just outside Houston, Tex.

BLET Teamsters at SEPTA, CPKC Soo Line Ratify New Contracts

Six-hundred locomotive engineers at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and CPKC Soo Line represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) of the Teamsters Rail Conference have voted to ratify two new collective bargaining agreements, the union announced Dec. 12.

Class I Briefs: CN, CSX, CPKC

CN reports its November grain movement and debuts a special locomotive to help spread the word about suicide prevention. Also, CSX’s Locomotive Service Team in Toledo, Ohio, achieves 11 years injury-free; and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) takes delivery of its 100th Tier 4 Wabtec Evolution Series diesel electric locomotive.

“This past weekend, the Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR) once again had the honor of delivering Santa to Boardwalk Park—a tradition our team has proudly supported for more than a decade,” GWR’s parent company, OmniTRAX, reported via social media on Dec. 9. (Courtesy of OmniTRAX)

‘Holiday Briefs’: LSRC, GWR, TXNW, CPKC

Lake State Railway (LSRC), Railway Age’s 2018 Short Line of the Year and 2021 Regional of the Year, delivers toys and “Christmas cheer” to Michigan communities. Also, OmniTRAX rail affiliate Great Western Railway

CPKC AVP of U.S. Government Affairs Larry Lloyd (far left) who traveled to Washington, D.C., with President and CEO Keith Creel (center), where they met with Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas), among others. (Courtesy of Lloyd)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CSX, CN, CPKC

BNSF provides an operational performance update and marks the 11th consecutive month of “record-breaking” terminal dwell. Also, Newsweek ranks CSX as No. 1 in the Transportation and Logistics category of its 2026 Most Responsible Companies List; CN teams with Ts’îl Kaz Koh First Nation on an emergency preparedness and spill response exercise; and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) President and CEO Keith Creel visits Capitol Hill.

Small-Road Briefs: G&W, Alaska Railroad Corporation

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) reports that overall satisfaction with its service is up for the third consecutive year and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Rochester & Southern Railroad (RSR). Also, the Alaska Railroad Corporation closes on a $112 million revenue bond for the refinancing of cruise port redevelopment.

Rob Russell: ‘Rail is a Precious Commodity’ – RAIL GROUP ON AIR

Rob Russell, Managing Partner, Russell-Kroese Partners, joins Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono for a wide-ranging discussion on the railroad industry and its future, with particular emphasis on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk

“In 2021, the MTA was looking at a $2.5 billion annual deficit, but we have been able to get back on track thanks to the amazing support from Albany,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said Nov. 19 upon release of the agency’s final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. “That support allowed us to stay afloat without cutting service, without any layoffs—and another major factor in this agency’s fiscal stability has been the cost savings that we’ve achieved in recent years.” (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, KC Streetcar, NCTD, WMATA, DART

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases its final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. Also, KC Streetcar will soon reveal plans for the new northern terminus and CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) Pavilion; North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) move forward on transit-oriented development projects; and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board approves contracts to improve security and cleanliness systemwide.

“Reaching one year without an injury is an important accomplishment,” CN reported Nov. 14. “Achieving that across four CN terminals is even more impressive.” (CN Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CN, CPKC

CN’s Taschereau Yard marks a safety milestone. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) recognizes two grain elevators for “excellence in safety and efficiency.” 

Commentary

From Class I to Short Line and Back

Since 2020, Class I railroads have acquired more than 3,000 miles of trackage from short line and regional carrier—some of which they previously owned.

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