Succession at CM&Q
Two senior executives at Central Maine & Quebec Railway—John E. Giles and Ryan Ratledge—will assume new responsibilities come Jan. 1, 2017.
Short Lines
AAR: U.S. weekly rail traffic up 2.8%
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Nov. 23 that for the week ending Nov. 19, 2016, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 547,804 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.8% compared with the same week last year.
AAR: STB should pause until Trump’s Board arrives
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) said November 17 that the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) should defer regulatory proposals, most notably forced access, until the U.S. Senate confirms a full slate of board members appointed by President-elect Donald J. Trump.
AAR: Total weekly U.S. rail traffic nearly even
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Nov. 16 that for the week ending November 12, 2016, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 541,127 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.5% compared with the same week last year.
Lawrence H Kaufman, 1936-2016
Railroad industry journalist, analyst, author and long-time Railway Age Contributing Editor Lawrence H Kaufman, 80, died on Nov. 8 in Golden, Colo., after a long illness.
ASLRRA issues post-election statement
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) issued the following statement regarding the 2016 election results:
AAR: U.S. weekly rail traffic increases for first time in months
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on November 9 that U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 5, 2016 was 543,377 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.7% compared with the same week last year.
Patriot Rail grows rail capacity 40%
Patriot Rail Services Company LLC (Patriot Rail) announced November 8 a rail infrastructure investment in its California-based subsidiary, Sacramento Valley Railroad (SAV), the railroad that serves tenants of McClellan Business Park.
Reading & Northern reports 15% growth
Despite a soft market for anthracite coal, Reading & Northern reported on November 4 that its freight traffic has grown over its record-setting 2015 base: Merchandise traffic (non-coal) is up almost 15%. Its passenger excursion business, which saw a record 100,000 visitors in 2015, is also running 15% ahead of last year’s pace.
The state of Intermodal
Coal is no longer king and will not return to the position it once held as the industry’s largest revenue stream. Crude oil might bounce back, a little. Motor vehicles are cyclical. Grain is profitable but seasonal.