Women in Rail Spotlight: Hydie McAlister, Sharon Beach

From the seven North American Class I’s and more than 600 short lines and regionals to the ancillary rail industry, women are making their mark. Hydie McAlister of Hempstead, Tex.-based McAlister Assets is among them. With no prior experience in the rail business, she recognized an opportunity for Class I rail-served industrial parks in her home state while meeting with an investor in 2015. And now she’s developed two with her business partner Sharon Beach.

Port NOLA’s Container Terminal Project Progresses

The Request for Proposal (RFP) process is now under way for program management/program controls services for the development of Port of New Orleans’ (Port NOLA) Louisiana International Terminal.

RAIL GROUP ON AIR: 2021 RT&S Top Projects, Part 2

RT&S Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks about how the Mondo mud spring in California created havoc for Union Pacific railroad tracks.

Commentary

Technology Has Changed Life on the Railroad

On the Union Pacific website, Vice President-Network Planning & Operations John Turner offered his thoughts on how technology impacts the role of every railroader, a topic Railway Age wanted to share with a broader audience.

First Look: UP’s ‘We are ONE’ Locomotive (Updated)

Union Pacific has designed UP No. 1979 to pay tribute to its nine Employee Resource Groups (ERG) supporting diversity and inclusion.

Big Boy 4014 Returns

One of the largest and perhaps most famous steam locomotives ever built—Union Pacific’s (UP) articulated 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” No. 4014—is heading on a month-long tour this summer to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities UP serves.

UP: Employee Engagement + Ownership = Success

“Employees who become part owners of the company they work for undergo a mindset change about their role in its success,” according to Maqui Parkerson, AVP Labor Relations at Union Pacific (UP).

STB to Class I’s: Keep Reporting Demurrage, Accessorial Charge Revenues

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on May 28 sent identical letters to the Class I railroad CEOs—the second set of letters in as many days—requesting that they continue providing quarterly information about their revenues from demurrage and accessorial charges.

STB to Class I’s: Are You Prepared?

Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin J. Oberman has called on the CEOs of the seven North American Class I’s to provide an update on their preparedness to meet service demands, particularly as railroad employment rates have fallen.

Commentary

Union Pacific’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Journey is Never Ending

A year ago, a teenager named Darnella Frazier video recorded the murder of George Floyd, which ultimately led to the conviction of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin. While witnessing the traumatic and terrifying episode, Darnella stood her ground for justice. Her courage is helping drive profound change in this country, and is a stark reminder for all of us: See something, say something, do something, because it will make a difference.

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