Surface Transportation Board

Premium

• February 28, 2024
• Regulatory

Okla., BIA Petition STB to Allow Emergency Operator for Blackwell Subdivision

The State of Oklahoma, by and through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA) have petitioned the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for an emergency order allowing the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, LLC (Rock Island) to provide local rail service on the Blackwell Subdivision, 35.3 miles of rail lines owned by ODOT and BIA and leased to the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad Company (BNGR).

Premium

• February 27, 2024
• Regulatory

STB Orders New Status Report on Amtrak Gulf Coast Service

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Feb. 26 decided the Amtrak Gulf Coast Service proceeding will remain in abeyance and directed the parties to file a joint status report by March 15 covering issues raised during this month’s hearing on the slow pace of getting two Amtrak trains in each direction running between New Orleans and Mobile.

Premium

• February 16, 2024
• Regulatory

Sanimax, UP Reach Settlement; STB Dismisses Case (UPDATED 2/16)

Sanimax USA LLC and Union Pacific (UP) on Feb. 12 told the Surface Transportation Board (STB) they have settled their dispute and jointly requested that Sanimax’s common carrier complaint be dismissed with prejudice and the proceeding be dropped. STB on Feb. 15 approved.

• February 09, 2024
• Regulatory

What’s the Status of Amtrak Gulf Coast Service? (UPDATED 2/9, with Commentary)

Work is still under way on settlement terms and conditions for launching Amtrak’s Gulf Coast service between New Orleans and Mobile, “America’s Railroad,” CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS), and Alabama State Port Authority

• February 09, 2024
• Short Lines & Regionals

Mass Coastal Acquiring Bay Colony Assets

Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, LLC (Mass Coastal) is purchasing assets of Bay Colony Railroad, which serves North Dartmouth and Millis, Mass.

• February 08, 2024
• Class I

UP Appoints Brady to VP-External Relations; Bolin to Retire

Union Pacific (UP) on Feb. 8 announced that it has appointed Andrew Brady to Vice President-External Relations, following the retirement of Printz Bolin at the end of February.

• February 06, 2024
• Regulatory

STB Seeks RSTAC Nominations

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

Commentary

• February 05, 2024
• Regulatory

Pre-Pandemic Rail Is a Thing of the Past

FINANCIAL EDGE, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE: Only those people who are capable of being a soulless rake (a rake is a person prone to excess) leading a careless and superfluous life can

Commentary

• February 05, 2024
• Regulatory

Can STB Pivot to Satisfy Shippers?

WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE: Rail captive shippers—primarily of chemicals and coal—unable to utilize barge or truck alternatives and lacking two-railroad competition owing to decades of mergers are an unhappy

• February 01, 2024
• Regulatory

STB Extends Employment-Data Reporting for ‘Big Four’

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Jan. 31 extended its temporary employment-data reporting period for the “Big Four” Class I railroads—BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS) and Union Pacific (UP)—to Dec. 31, 2024,