Water Train Inc. seeks test project partners

Water Train Inc., an operating unit of Modoc Railroad, has begun solicitations of private persons, companies and municipal governments to participate in the operation of a water test train.

Is rail doing enough to secure its future?

True success lies in the ability to predict future trends accurately and embrace them successfully rather than letting them adversely affect your business. The difficulty lies in making accurate predictions and knowing how to react, especially as the speed of change is so swift today that the future has arrived before most people have even realized it.

STB sets 2014 rail cost of capital at 10.65%

The Surface Transportation Board has set the rail industry’s 2014 after-tax cost of capital at 10.65%, some 6% lower than the 2013 figure of 11.32%.

CP set for superior grain service

Canadian Pacific says it “is well positioned to provide best-in-class service to western Canadian grain shippers during the 2015-2016 crop-year.”

West Coast CBR shipments stable, for now

There is “big potential” to expand crude by rail shipments to West Coast ports and to California, but building the infrastructure “has proven painstakingly slow,” writes RBN Energy LLC analyst Rusty Braziel.

NS’ Butler set to retire

Deborah H. Butler, Executive Vice President Planning and Chief Information Officer of Norfolk Southern (NS) will be retiring, effective Oct. 1, 2015, NS President and CEO Jim Squires announced August 4.

UP’s Fritz ascends to Chairman and CEO

Union Pacific’s board of directors elected President and Chief Operating Officer Lance Fritz Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Oct. 1, 2015. He succeeds John Koraleski as Chairman. Koraleski plans to retire Sept. 30 after a 43-year career at UP.

Is Bakken CBR fading away?

Bakken crude oil hauled in unit trains may disappear by 2017, according to an analysis conducted by RBN Energy LLC.

NS absorbs second-quarter hit

“Short-term pressure,” in the words of President and CEO Jim Squires, contributed to Norfolk Southern on July 27, 2015 posting second-quarter 2015 financials with significant declines in net income, operating revenues and earnings per share, and an operating ratio that rose 350 basis points.

CSX doubles up for Brickyard 400

The Sunday, July 26, 2015 Brickyard 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will have not one, but two CSX-primary-sponsored Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusions running: The familiar blue and gold “Play It Safe Around Railroad Tracks” No. 34, driven by 22-year-old Brett Moffitt, and the new “FFA (Future Farmers of America) + CSX Living to Serve” No. 38, with David Gilliland at the wheel.

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