Potash resilient after consortium break-up

One of railroading’s least-recognized commodities found itself in the global spotlight this summer. On July 30, Russian potash producer Uralkali announced it was severing ties to the Belarusian Potash Company, a joint marketing venture with rival producer Belaruskali. Uralkali’s exit was in response to Belaruskali making independent sales of potash to China.

Crude by rail: The outlook is good

“Narrowing oil price differentials are impacting carloadings in the near term, but should not deter shippers from making long-term investments in crude-by-rail, which has many inherent logistical benefits that can override price in determining a transportation mode in certain scenarios,” says Cowen and Co. Managing Director and Railway Age Contributing Editor Jason H. Seidl. “Price differentials may slow CBR but won’t stop it.”

Train and engine crew employment climbs in July

Employment figures released by the Surface Transportation Board for July 2013 show that Class I railroads employed 163,956 people, up 1.20% from July 2012, though down 0.31%, from the previous month of June 2013.

CP and UP forge Canada-to-California CBR corridor

For the past year, BNSF Railway has dominated in the shipment of crude by rail (CBR) from North America’s Bakken shale formation westward to refineries and ship terminals along America’s Pacific Coast. Now, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific are teaming up to move crude oil from Canada south into California.

Intermodal leads U.S. weekly traffic gain

The Association of American Railroads, for the week ending Aug. 10, 2013 reported intermodal volume of 257,969 units, up 6.1% compared with the same week last year, and 288,803 carloads, down 0.2% compared with the 2012 week. Total U.S. rail traffic for the week was 546,772 combined carloads and intermodal units, up 2.7% compared with last year.

KCS succession plan continues on-track

Kansas City Southern on Thursday, Aug. 8 announced, “in furtherance of its long-term succession planning,” that Michael R. Haverty will transition from his current position of Executive Chairman and employee of the company, to Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and will also become Chairman of the Executive Committee of the board effective Sept. 30, 2013.

CSX acquires Eastern Associated Terminal

CSX Corp. announced Tuesday, Aug. 7, the purchase of the Eastern Associated Terminal in Tampa, Fla. from the Ingram Barge Company. The 22-acre phosphate export facility is adjacent to CSX Transportation Inc.’s Rockport terminal on Tampa Bay, and the combined entity will be called Rockport Terminals.

Maine House rep introduces two-person-crew bill

Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Me.) on Aug. 2, 2013 introduced “The Safe Freight Act,” a bill requiring a minimum of two-person crews for freight trains. Fellow Maine Democrat Rep. Chellie Pingree is an original cosponsor of the bill.

Senate confirms third NMB Member

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 1 confirmed Nicholas Geale to serve as the third member of the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a term expiring July 1, 2016. Incumbent Member and Chairman Linda Puchala was also re-confirmed for a term expiring July 1, 2015, and Member Harry Hoglander was re-confirmed for a term expiring July 1, 2014.

Rethinking railroad safety and efficiency

An innovative project on Egyptian National Railways is an example of how small railroads can install PTC at a low cost.

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