Opinion

Commentary

The Cowen Insight: OEM Earnings, Railcar Demand

At Cowen and Company, we are revising our transportation OEM and machinery earnings estimates for fourth-quarter 2020 and 2021, and introducing our 2022 estimates; updating our North American Class 8 production forecast; and fine-tuning our railcar supply demand model. What are we seeing? Gradually improving supply-side dynamics.

Commentary
  • News

A Christmas Bell Story

From bringing families together for the Holidays to that first electric train set beneath the tree (I remember mine well, from 1963), railroads and Christmas have been linked for generations. Here’s a particularly inspiring story of kindness and caring provided to us by Elizabeth Cho, who handles public relations at Siemens Mobility.

Commentary

Greenbrier ‘Ready for a Railcar Demand Recovery’: Cowen

At Cowen and Company, we expect North American railcar demand to recover in 2021. One of the best-positioned suppliers? The Greenbrier Companies (GBX), with more than a 40% manufacturing share following the acquisition of ARI. Railcar markets in Europe and Brazil are also improving. All of this plus the cost-cutting measures GBX has taken make it our top 2021 pick.

Commentary

Make Sure the Damn Air Brakes Work

There are many things that can’t be hurried in this life, and probably shouldn’t be, like wine and bread (let beaujolais nouveau and matzoh be a warning to us all). There are other things that could use a bit of hurrying, like medical fitness for duty standards and the National Transportation Safety Board, but those two have proven themselves so resistant to urgings, proddings, cris du coeur, that they’ve almost worn me down. Almost.

Commentary
  • News

‘Character is Destiny’

FROM THE EDITOR, RAILWAY AGE DECEMBER 2020: The Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who dates to about 500 B.C., is believed to have originated the quote “character is destiny.” This quote implies that destiny, or fate, is not connected to a predetermined outside force. Rather, one’s future, or destiny, is determined by one’s inner character.

Commentary

Stop Chasing Customers Away. Or Just Get Out of the Way

I have worked in the operating and compliance departments of various short lines for more than 25 years. There have been times that the marketing and sales department has made promises or deals with customers that were unrealistic or even unattainable, but I agree that the need for “Sales Engineers” is vital to the railroad industry.

Commentary

Suds With Seidl: “Railroad Happy Hour”

We hosted rail industry experts in our third Suds with Seidl event. The overall mood was optimistic. The outlook for 2021 was strong, with one participant noting he was surprised to hear just how bullish his customers were this past week. Class I’s may be missing business opportunities, but there is still hope for greater communication via technology initiatives. We remain positive on the rail group.

Commentary

Defining Amtrak’s True Mission

It has been an honor to serve on the Amtrak Board for the past decade. I am extremely proud of the hardworking employees at Amtrak who keep America moving. Our current circumstances remind us of just how fortunate we are to have their commitment and dedication. It is because of their efforts that Amtrak began 2020 in the strongest position since we were created nearly 50 years ago. Ridership, revenue and financial performance were at record levels. With the support of our state partners, Amtrak was on track to generate revenues exceeding operating expenses for the first time ever. The company began preparing for next-generation Acela trains, and had a bold vision of expanding train service in new and existing corridors across the country.

Commentary

Smart Ticketing = Smart Cities

Smart ticketing is gaining more and more prominence lately, with the launch of innovations such as the open-loop concept, which enables passengers to simply utilize their debit or credit cards or mobile devices with payment functionalities, like wearables, for ticket payments.

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