Commentary

Flawed State Dept. report twists rail safety stats

Proponents of the Keystone XL pipeline exulted while statisticians expressed dismay at the U.S. State Department’s dramatic assertion the week of Jan. 26 that failure to approve the proposed pipeline could cause an additional six persons per year to be killed by crude oil trains.

BNSF 2014 capex: $5 billion

BNSF Railway on Feb. 4 announced a new single-year record capital commitment plan of $5 billion for 2014, approximately a $1 billion increase over its 2013 actual capital spend of $4 billion.

NYAB aids food pantry renovation

The Watertown Urban Mission Food Pantry in upstate New York will undergo a $250,000 renovation this year, thanks to a charity established by the parent company of New York Air Brake, LLC (NYAB).

Conductors union spurns CN pact

Canadian National said Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons has advised the railroad that “the tentative labor agreements negotiated with the union in October 2013 have failed to ratify.”

NS opens transfer terminal in Chesapeake

Norfolk Southern has opened a new Thoroughbred Bulk Transfer (TBT) terminal in Chesapeake, Va., to serve shippers of dry and liquid bulk commodities.
Commentary

If crude by rail, why not water?

I can’t help but watch the wildfires and water shortages taking place in California and wonder if BNSF and Union Pacific, and perhaps a few of their shippers, are able to respond to this drought with the same urgency with which they’ve answered the call for hauling crude. How many weeks, or months, would it take for BNSF and UP to corral enough tank cars together and set up locations in states with a greater abundance of water where those cars can be filled and then rushed toward California?

INRD promotes Le Dune, Jonaitis

The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) has promoted Brian Jonaitis to Director, Sales, and Shae LeDune to Executive Assistant to the President, with new supervisory and community affairs responsibilities.

CSX, David Ragan, Front Row Motorsports re-team for 2014 Sprint Cup season

After a successful season promoting public safety around railroad tracks with David Ragan in 2013, CSX will again partner with the race-winning driver and the Front Row Motorsports’ No. 34 team for the NASCAR 2014 Sprint Cup Series season. The partnership will include primary sponsorship of Ragan’s Ford Fusion for four races—at Daytona International Speedway Feb. 23, Darlington Raceway April 12, Michigan International Speedway Aug. 17, and Richmond International Raceway Sept. 6. Ragan’s car will once again sport CSX’s distinctive blue and gold locomotive colors and “Play It Safe Around Railroad Tracks” graphics.

CN, Province of New Brunswick reach accord on Newcastle Subdivision

CN and the Province of New Brunswick have reached an agreement to preserve rail freight service on two sections of the railroad’s Newcastle Subdivision in northern New Brunswick. CN had previously sought to abandon 139 miles of the Newcastle Subdivision, which it acquired as part of its takeover of Quebec Railway Corp. in November 2008.

Savage expands crude oil logistics services in Western Canada

Savage, a provider of bundled supply chain management services for electric power generation, coal production, oil and gas, refining, agriculture, chemical, mining and manufacturing, has expanded its CBR (crude by rail) and truck transportation for crude oil services in Western Canada.
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