Midyear Report: Why investors turn to rail

Union Pacific’s record $3.7 billion in capital expenditures in 2012 returned quick dividends, and resulted in the 151-year-old railroad’s best year for its investors.

CSX embarks on a July 4 track blitz

CSX m/w employees on July 1 kicked off an eight-day maintenance “jamboree” or “blitz” designed to complete work that would normally take 18 weeks under traffic. The accelerated timeline is being accomplished by shutting down and temporarily re-routing traffic on the CSX main line in portions of three southeastern states to give workers uninterrupted time for upgrades and repairs.

RRV&W reaches one million carloads

On June 22, the Red River Valley & Western Railroad Company, after 26 years in business, moved its one-millionth carload. The celebratory shipment was 110 tons of corn destined for the port of Seattle.

AAR to Congress: Freight rail strong and flexible—and the backbone of passenger rail

In two days of testimony before two separate U.S. House of Representatives transportation panels, Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger emphasized that “billions in annual privately funded rail infrastructure investments have made America’s rail network vital to U.S. competitiveness in the global supply chain,” and those investments spent on infrastructure and maintenance “provide a world-class foundation for America’s intercity passenger and commuter rail operations.”

Foxx confirmed as new DOT Secretary

The Senate unanimously confirmed former Charlotte, N.C. Mayor Anthony Foxx as the new Secretary of Transportation Thursday, June 27, 2013, succeeding Ray LaHood.

For CP, a rapid recovery from Alberta floods

Canadian Pacific said Monday, June 24 that its main line west of Calgary through the Banff-Canmore region of Alberta is now open after operations crews successfully restored segments impacted by the extreme weather the preceding week. A portion of CP track in Calgary was expected to reopen late on June 24, fully restoring the railroad’s main line. A segment of CP’s south line to Lethbridge, Alberta, was expected be fully restored by Thursday, June 27.

BNSF’s Johnson succeeds CP’s McFarlane in U.S.

Robert Johnson, who has spent 32 years with BNSF Railway and its predecessors, most recently as General Manager-Northwest Division, has been appointed Canadian Pacific Railway’s Vice President U.S. Operations. He replaces Senior Vice President U.S. Operations Doug McFarlane (pictured), who has announced his retirement after 37 years with CP in both Canada and the United States.

MARS sets summer conference agenda

The energy and housing markets will be two areas of focus at the upcoming MARS (Midwest Association of Rail Shippers) Annual Summer Meeting July 8-9 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisc. The meeting theme is “Riding the Rails to Economic Recovery,” and will include sessions on housing, retail, energy, and short line railroads, as well as an economic outlook and legislative analysis.

Obituary: Isabel H. Benham, 103

Isabel Hamilton Benham, who died May 18, 2013, at the age of 103, was a formidable and influential presence in railroad affairs on Wall Street for much of the 20th Century. She made history by becoming the first female partner in a major Wall Street firm, R. W. Pressprich & Co., Inc.

Union pickets Amtrak Board chairman’s law office

Amtrak Board Chairman Anthony Coscia’s New Brunswick, N.J., law office was targeted Tuesday morning, June 4, 2013, by the Passenger Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (PRLBC), representing Amtrak employees who PRLBC says continue to work without a contract.

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