WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will nominate Patrick J. Fuchs to serve another term on the Surface Transportation Board, the White House announced this week. Fuchs joined the board in January 2019. Previously, he was a staff member for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where he worked on legislation including 2016’s first […]
ATLANTA – Norfolk Southern service and safety improved in the fourth quarter, but higher operating costs, lower revenue, and the impact of ongoing expenses related to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment dragged down earnings. “Last year was historically challenging, with a major derailment to start off the year, followed by network disruptions and compounded by […]
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa legislators are considering a bill requiring defect detectors on the state’s branch line, the latest example of state actions to regulate railroads in the wake of last year’s derailment and toxic-chemical release in East Palestine, Ohio. Senate File 512, introduced by state Sen. Tom Shipley (R-Corning, Iowa) requires defect detectors […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern told employees today that it will eliminate 7% of its management and staff positions as a cost-cutting move. The railroad is set to publicly announce the cutbacks during its fourth-quarter earnings call on Friday morning. NS is offering voluntary severance packages to eligible employees, according to people familiar with the matter. […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Railroad executives will meet with U.S. and Mexican customs officials next month to discuss how they can work together to keep vital rail border crossings open amid the surge in migrants crossing the Rio Grande. The railroad bridges linking Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, with Mexico were shut down for four […]
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration today announced a final rule requiring railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses for train crew members and other employees who could be at risk in the event of a hazardous material release — a regulation stemming from last year’s incident in East Palestine, Ohio. The rule is scheduled […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific expects muted traffic volume this year due to a combination of a slow economy, lower demand for coal, and the loss of an international intermodal contract to BNSF Railway. UP executives discussed their outlook for the year while releasing fourth-quarter financial results this morning. “The Union Pacific team is executing […]
BRUNSWICK, Maine — A proposal to use a Rail Diesel Car to offer year-round connections on a former Maine Central branch line from Rockland, Maine to a rendezvous with Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority’s Amtrak-operated Downeaster at Brunswick, Maine, is being re-evaluated after the RDC suffered a debilitating breakdown last fall. Midcoast Railservice, the carrier with […]
ATLANTA — The archives of the Southern Railway are now open to the public by appointment, the Atlanta History Center has announced, and a collection of more than 11,000 photos from the images are beginning to be made available online. The archives were donated by Norfolk Southern Railway in 2021 [see “Norfolk Southern to donate […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Premium seating with “cocoons,” as well as pods that wouldn’t be out of place in first-class on a long-distance flight. Play areas with a beach décor. And at least two concepts — “comfort” or “flex” — for conventional seating. All are contained in a series of renderings released this week by the […]
FOLLANSBEE, W.Va — Empire Diversified Energy, a holding company involved in sustainable energy and logistics, will establish a short line railroad to serve the Port of West Virginia, the company announced Wednesday. Empire River Rail intends to be a clean-energy system and is part of the effort to make the port in Follansbee, on the […]
FORT WORTH — BNSF Railway will spend $3.92 billion on capital projects this year, the railroad announced today. “This year’s capital plan reflects our continued commitment to growth, by ensuring we have the capacity and equipment needed to support our customers,” CEO Katie Farmer said in a statement. “We continue to invest in our network […]
