Port NOLA’s Container Terminal Project Progresses

The Request for Proposal (RFP) process is now under way for program management/program controls services for the development of Port of New Orleans’ (Port NOLA) Louisiana International Terminal.

CSX Selects Wabtec for Power Upgrades

CSX is teaming with Wabtec to modernize locomotives across its fleet, boosting their fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.

Commentary

Balancing Public, Private Interests Before the STB

For several months, Railway Age has reported extensively on Amtrak’s efforts to begin running two daily round trips between New Orleans and Mobile, and the strong opposition to the plan voiced by CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS). The focus has been on the railroads. But there’s another vital interest at stake: that of the American people to be able to ride new services on “America’s Railroad.”

Commentary

Is Amtrak Really Coming Home to Alabama?

Is this New Orleans-to-Mobile Amtrak commuter-like train proposal “a rather complex story,” like the meaning behind the lyrics of the 1974 Lynyrd Skynyrd hit, Sweet Home Alabama?

CSX TDSI Earns AAR Awards for Terminal Quality

Two of CSX’s Total Distribution Services Inc. (TDSI)-operated facilities have received Terminal of the Year Awards from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

High Profile: CSX, NS, A. Stucki Co.

CSX has appointed Mark K. Wallace, Kevin S. Boone and Sean R. Pelkey to senior leadership roles; Norfolk Southern (NS) has promoted Jason Morris to Vice President Labor Relations; and A. Stucki Co. has named Philip F. Pietrandrea Division President of Maintenance of Way.

Commentary

Is Amtrak’s 2035 Map Riding on the Surf Board? (UPDATED)

Amtrak is looking to expand its network of passenger trains, for the first time in two decades. The proposal by “America’s Railroad” to add dozens of new corridors and state-supported trains to its network has drawn both support and criticism from advocates: support because it marks a new attitude on Amtrak’s part favoring expansion (of some sort, at least); criticism because it does not go far enough toward pushing for more long-distance trains or recognizing the contributions of the citizen-advocates who have been calling for more trains throughout almost all of Amtrak’s 50-year history.

Intermodal Roundup: Savannah (Ga.) Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor JDA; Ceres Global Ag Corp.

The state of Georgia and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority (JDA) are purchasing the 2,284-acre Bryan County Mega-Site, which is less than 30 miles from the Port of Savannah and offers direct access to Georgia Central Railway, with connections to CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS); the Ceres Global Ag Corp. will build a $350 million integrated canola processing facility in Northgate, Saskatchewan, with a direct connection to BNSF.

Amtrak Gulf Coast Service: Analyzing the Blame Game

Amtrak is attempting to start service between Mobile and New Orleans, along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) oppose Amtrak’s plan, and the issue is now before the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The issues are purportedly operational, having to do with rail capacity at the Port of Mobile, although there are also procedural issues to the controversy. There is a political dimension, too, with essentially the entire political establishment in Mississippi supporting Amtrak’s position and all of Alabama’s opposing it.

STB to Class I’s: Keep Reporting Demurrage, Accessorial Charge Revenues

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on May 28 sent identical letters to the Class I railroad CEOs—the second set of letters in as many days—requesting that they continue providing quarterly information about their revenues from demurrage and accessorial charges.

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