Class I employment registers modest monthly gain

Figures released by the Surface Transportation Board show total Class I railroad employment as of mid-March 2014 rose 0.40%, to 162,968, from the same period in February 2014, and registered only a miniscule decrease of 0.06% from the year-earlier (March 2013) period.

For Norfolk Southern, a difficult first quarter

Coal volume and revenue that dropped 15% and 13%, respectively, in 2014’s first quarter were largely responsible for Norfolk Southern reporting lower net income and operating revenues and a slightly higher operating ratio, compared to the prior-year period.

CN toughs out a challenging first quarter

“The winter of a lifetime,” as described by CN President and CEO Claude Mongeau, bumped up CN’s first-quarter 2014 operating expenses and ratio compared to the year-ago quarter, but despite these challenges, the railroad posted gains in revenues, operating income, and net income.

For CP, a record first-quarter 2014

With net income of C$254 million or C$1.44 per diluted share, Canadian Pacific has posted “the best first quarter financial results in company history,” Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison announced April 21, 2014.

For Union Pacific, a strong first quarter

Union Pacific on April 17, 2014 reported 2014 first quarter net income of $1.1 billion, or $2.38 per diluted share, compared to $957 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, in first-quarter 2013, a 17% improvement. Operating revenues totaled $5.6 billion, up 7%; operating income totaled $1.85 billion, up 14%; the operating ratio of 67.1% improved 2.0 points, a first-quarter record.

WTS International touts 2014 Scholarship winners

WTS International, the association for the professional advancement of women in transportation, announced the selection of the winners of its seven scholarships for 2014 on Monday, April 14, 2014.

Mongeau continues assault on “intrusive re-regulation”

“Intrusive re-regulation of railways alone will not increase rail volumes of grain, now or in the future,” CN President and CEO Claude Mongeau said in an address to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. “Canada’s grain handling and transportation system can only succeed in efficiently moving more grain to market if commercial incentives align the supply chain and if all supply chain participants are held accountable for their performance.”

Intermodal leads weekly traffic gains

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on April 10, 2014 reported increased U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 5, 2014 with 296,039 total U.S. carloads, up 5.4% compared with the same week last year. Total U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 261,084 units, up 12.6% compared with the same week last year. Total combined U.S. weekly rail traffic was 557,123 carloads and intermodal units, up 8.7% compared with the same week last year.

AAR responds to service questions raised at STB hearing

Following an April 10, 2014 Surface Transportation Board hearing on railroad service issues, the Association of American Railroads issued a statement in response to questions that have been raised.

AAR announces new Silver Associate Member, Railroad Facts availability

Girard Equipment Inc. has joined the Association of American Railroads as a new Silver Associate Member.
LOAD MORE