A cargo ship filled with goods sails through Charleston Harbor. South Carolina now has the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. (Photo/Provided by Matthew Peacock Media)

Intermodal Briefs: SC Ports, Port Houston, Port Milwaukee

South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) finishes Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) with a strong June. Also, Port Houston reports steady volumes through the first half of the year; and Port Milwaukee celebrates the grand opening of the Agriculture Maritime Export Facility.

The new locomotive is outfitted with emblems highlighting five of the railroad's employee-focused programs.
Commentary

Union Pacific Celebrates Employee-Focused Programs with New Locomotive

Thousands of Union Pacific employees go above and beyond each year to support their fellow team members, without ever expecting a thank you. Now, in the ultimate expression of gratitude, a new locomotive celebrating their efforts has hit the rails.

(Photograph Courtesy of UP, via Twitter)

Report: UP To Run Ground-Based Conductor Pilot Program

Union Pacific (UP) this summer will test the use of ground-based conductors in western Nebraska, between North Platte and Morrill, and in Colorado and Wyoming, between Denver and Cheyenne, according to the Associated Press.

NextDecade Announces FID for Rio Grande LNG Phase 1

Texas-based energy company NextDecade Corporation (NextDecade) on July 12 announced that it has made a positive final investment decision (FID) for Phase 1 of its proposed Rio Grande liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, which consists of the construction of the first three liquefication trains, to be built at the Port of Brownsville.

Commentary

UP, CN Put Biofuels to the Test with Train-Track Treadmills

When it comes to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Union Pacific (UP) and CN are aligned.

evo-rail, Nomad Digital and Alstom will deliver core rail-5G mmWave radio technology to Caltrain, which provides commuter rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metro-North, SJRRC, VIA Rail

evo-rail teams with Alstom and Nomad Digital to bring rail-5G mmWave radio technology to Caltrain. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad train inspectors could strike this fall; San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) will receive $40 million from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for a double-tracking project that has both freight and passenger rail benefits; and VIA Rail Canada is investing more than C$25 million on London, Ontario, station upgrades.

STB Initiates ‘First of its Kind’ Investigation Into Amtrak’s Sunset Limited On-Time Performance

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on July 11 reported that the standard has been met for initiating an investigation into the on-time performance of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited long-distance service between New Orleans

BNSF’s top score places it among the leading companies dedicated to building diverse and inclusive work environments.

Amtrak, BNSF, CSX and UP Earn Spots on Disability Equality Index

Amtrak, BNSF, CSX and Union Pacific (UP) have each been recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and nonprofit Disability:IN, achieving high scores on the 2023 Disability Equality Index® (DEI).

On July 6, Metra Board Chair Romayne C. Brown and CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski joined Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Rockford, Ill., elected officials to announce that the commuter railroad will operate state-supported passenger rail service to Rockford starting in late 2027. (Photograph and Caption Details Courtesy of Metra, via Twitter)

Chicago-Rockford Passenger Rail Service Returns

Partners Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Metra and Union Pacific (UP) will restore Chicago-Rockford, Ill., passenger rail service in late 2027. The Rebuild Illinois* capital plan includes $275 million for the project,

90% of BLET Members Ratify Quality of Life Agreement With UP

The six Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) General Chairmen announced June 29 that 90% of the union’s divisions representing locomotive engineers on Union Pacific (UP) have ratified an agreement with

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