Class I Briefs: CN, UP
CN retrofits light trucks to run on propane and gas, as part of its transition plan to a low-carbon economy. Also, Union Pacific (UP) debuts new hazmat-response training railcars built at its De Soto, Mo., shop.
UP
MnDOT: $151.4MM Needed to Renew, Expand Minnesota’s Freight Rail System
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has released its 2023-2028 Forecast, focusing on the $151.4 million in funding required to go toward planned local projects needing state support for rail and bridge upgrades, new industrial parks and job creation.
UP, SMART-TD Reach Labor Agreement
Union Pacific (UP) on March 25 reported reaching a tentative crew-consist agreement with General 953, part of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD), in which two-person crews would be maintained.
Commentary
One Mother and Three Daughters Share a Rich Railroad Legacy at Union Pacific
MaryAnn Hennessy and her three daughters–Brandy Lloyd, Tiffany Mace, and Lindsey Stoddard have more in common than being family members and train crew professionals who work for Union Pacific Railroad. The women also share a rich railroad history that extends back through five generations of Hennessys.
UP: Paid Sick Leave Added for Six Unions
Union Pacific (UP) on March 22 reported reaching agreements with six additional labor unions to provide access to up to seven paid sick days, effective April 1.
Class I Briefs: UP, CSX, CN
Union Pacific (UP) Chief Information Officer Rahul Jalali joins the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Cybersecurity Advisory Committee (CSAC). Also, CSX launches an enhanced carbon emissions reduction calculator; and CN donates $750,000 to Sun Youth’s “Building a Brighter Future” campaign.
NS to Offer Daily Port of Virginia-Tennessee Service
The Port of Virginia is expanding its “westward reach” starting April 1 with new daily rail service between the port’s primary container terminals and Norfolk Southern’s (NS) regional intermodal terminal near Memphis,
UP Issues 2022 ‘We Are One’ Report
Union Pacific (UP) on March 7 published the second edition of its “We Are One” report, announcing the receipt of “third-party validation of pay equity for women and people of color, and that its board of directors is now majority-diverse.”
People News: RailState, New Orleans RTA, UP
Adam Nori and Nick Borders have joined RailState’s sales and business development team. Also, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) appoints Lona Edwards Hankins as permanent CEO; and Union Pacific (UP) Executive Vice President and CFO Jennifer Hamann is named a recipient of The Manufacturing Institute’s 2023 Women MAKE Awards.
Intermodal Briefs: UP, Port of Belledune, Western Intermodex
Union Pacific (UP) finalizes contracts for four hybrid cranes to test in its intermodal yards. Also, the government of Canada is investing up to C$12.5 million in an infrastructure project at the CN-served Port of Belledune in New Brunswick; and intermodal services firm Western IntermodeX acquires Quickload Logistics to boost import transload capacity in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.