STB

Mike Schwark (Photograph Courtesy of Mike Schwark)
Commentary

CN-IANR Merger Proposal: ‘Value Add’ for Ag

To be competitive and profitable, agricultural producers across the country are focusing on their cost of production, managing margins, and being forward-thinking on their grain and livestock marketing. In Iowa, and most any state, a piece to the puzzle that literally links all of these is rail. 

STB: RSTAC Nominations Welcome

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking nominations to fill a small-railroad representative vacancy on its Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC).

As Oberman Steps Down, Primus Moves Up (UPDATED, 5/13)

As Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin J. Oberman’s retirement took effect May 10, the Board reported that President Joseph R. Biden Jr. intended to designate Board Member Robert E. Primus as the next STB Chairman. The STB chairmanship does not require Senate confirmation; the agency lists Primus as Chair on its website.

Pictured, left to right: Victor (Vic) Meyers of Twin Cities & Western and Red River Valley & Western (TC&W Photograph); Adrian Granda, Port of Long Beach (POLB Photograph); and William Dengler Jr., Hill International, Inc. (Hill Photograph).

People News: TC&W, POLB, Hill International, STB

Twin Cities & Western Railroad (TC&W) appoints Victor (Vic) Meyers as President. Also, Adrian Granda joins Port of Long Beach (POLB), Calif., as Director of Government Relations; William (Bill) Dengler Jr. is tapped for Chief Acquisition and Administrative Officer at New Jersey-based consultancy Hill International, Inc.; and Neil Moyer transitions to Director of the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Office of Passenger Rail.

STB Finalizes Reciprocal Switching Rule (UPDATED, 5/7)

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on April 30 reported adopting Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service, STB Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), by unanimous vote, implementing new regulations at 49 CFR part 1145, which it said “sets forth a path for shippers and receivers to petition the Board for the prescription of a reciprocal switching agreement.” The final rule “is designed to promote adequate rail service,” according to the STB. Board Member Robert Primus concurred with a separate expression, noting “I am voting for the final rule because something is better than nothing.” Frank N. Wilner, Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor, weighs in and provides a reciprocal switching “primer.”