Wildfires damage Northwest rail lines

A series of wildfires in central and eastern Washington state, some blazing for nearly a week, have devastated entire communities and left several sections of railway damaged.

CAGTC endorses Build America Investment Initiative

The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC), a freight transportation advocacy group, has endorsed the Obama Administration’s Build America Investment Initiative, which consists of plans to move infrastructure projects and the economy forward through a new Executive Action.

Genesee & Wyoming notches record 2Q traffic

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. said Monday, July 14, 2014 its second-quarter traffic rose 6.0% measured against the comparable quarter in 2013. Same-railroad traffic was up 5.0% for the quarter.

Indiana Rail Road touts increased train speeds

The Indiana Rail Road Co. (INRD) said Tuesday, July 8, 2014 it will increase the speed limit for trains to 30 mph for the portion of its mainline between West Street and Stop 11 Road, beginning July 15.

Met Council, Minneapolis find LRT compromise

Minneapolis and the Metropolitan Council jointly announced Tuesday, July 8, 2014, a “tentative agreement” to proceed with the planned development of the Southwest Light Rail Project, linking downtown Minneapolis and Eden Prairie, Minn.

Canadian grain broker acquires Saskatchewan short line

As part of its transformation from government marketing monopoly to privatized competitor, the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) has become the imminent owner of a work-worn 125-mile (200-km) short line connecting Saskatchewan growers and an Alberta petrochemical producer to a Canadian Pacific interchange at Swift Current.

MDDE honored by chemical customer

The Maryland & Delaware Railroad Co. (MDDE) of Federalsburg, Md., was recently honored by Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport, Tenn., with a Special Recognition award for superior service to the Eastman facility on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

OmniTRAX lands Texas short line, site work

OmniTRAX said Thursday, June 12, 2014, it will manage the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railroad, a short line railway based in Brownsville, Tex. As well, OmniTRAX will also develop a large-scale industrial park on land owned by the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) of Cameron County, the parent governmental body of the Port of Brownsville.

U.S. EIA: Rail still rules domestic coal delivery

U.S. coal use for electricity generation may be declining, and U.S. freight railroads may be delivering less coal as a result. But rail still is by far the modal choice for remaining demand, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s June 11, 2014 “Today in Energy” brief.

Greenbrier, Watco set railcar repair joint venture

The Greenbrier Cos., Inc. and Watco Companies, LLC announced early Wednesday, June 4, 2014, a new company that will create a North American network of railcar repair shops.

LOAD MORE