JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX expects to gain merchandise, intermodal, and export coal volume this year partly due to improved service, executives said today while announcing fourth-quarter financial results. “Throughout 2023, our railroad demonstrated reliable, industry-leading network performance, and the ONE CSX team delivered consistent results through a dynamic economic environment by focusing on excellent customer […]
Train Topic: Rail Industry
U.S. rail traffic declines for week ending Jan. 20
WASHINGTON — Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was down 13.2% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported today. Total carloads for the week ending Jan. 20 were down 22.4% compared with the same week in 2023, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was down 4.5% compared to 2023. […]
STB streamlines emergency service regulations
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today adopted a final rule to amend its emergency service regulations in order to provide immediate relief for shippers in certain situations. The rule, adopted unanimously, clarifies that the board may act on its own initiative to direct emergency rail service. It also establishes an accelerated process for review […]
Senate confirms three nominees for Amtrak board
WASHINGTON — For the first time in more than eight years, the Amtrak board of directors has new members. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nominations of Christopher Koos, Anthony Coscia, and Joel Szabat to serve on the board, the first time the Senate has confirmed board members since 2015. Koos, the mayor of […]
Maya Train ticket sales suspended
CANCÚN, Mexico — Ticket sales for the Maya Train passenger rail operation have been halted barely three weeks after service was inaugurated between Cancun and Palenque on Jan. 1, the Cancún Sun reports, following “significant technical issues” on Friday, Jan. 19. Operations have been stopped indefinitely while workers perform inspections to determine the cause of […]
CN revenue and profits decline in fourth quarter, but railway expects growth this year
MONTREAL – Canadian National expects traffic to bounce back this year due to a combination of an improving economy and the railway’s own growth projects, executives said today while announcing fourth-quarter results that included lower volume, revenue, and profits. “Through 2023, our team of dedicated railroaders leveraged our scheduled operating model to deliver exceptional service […]
Bison Transport to provide cross-border intermodal service via CPKC
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Bison Transport has reached an agreement with Canadian Pacific Kansas City to provide cross-border intermodal service linking Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. “Our relationship with CPKC positions Bison to be the leading multimodal freight solutions provider that can service Canada, the United States, and Mexico,” Rob Penner, Bison Transport President and CEO, […]
DOT awards Brightline West $2.5 billion in private activity bonds
WASHINGTON – The $12 billion Brightline West high-speed passenger rail project got a boost today in the form of $2.5 billion in private activity bonds, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced. Brightline West aims to build a 218-mile dedicated passenger railroad between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Trains would operate at speeds of up […]
FRA administrator stands in the way of brake safety progress: Analysis
Imagine that you’re the head of the Federal Railroad Administration. A railroad proposes inspecting brakes with wayside detectors that find 10 times more defects than carmen can see during an inspection in a yard. It’s a significant improvement in safety. Rail labor’s on board, and your own safety experts back the proposal, too. You’d give […]
Monon heritage locomotive emerges from CSX paint shop
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX has taken the wraps off of its ninth heritage locomotive at the Waycross, Ga., paint shop: No. 1897 representing the Monon. “Here is a sneak peek of our ninth ONE CSX Heritage locomotive … another great job by the team in Waycross,” CEO Joe Hinrichs wrote in a LinkedIn post today. […]
California state agency called on for leadership role of struggling Surf Line
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In the wake of a difficult 2023 for Southern California’s struggling Surf Line route, the Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN (Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo) Rail Corridor Resiliency is requesting a formal partnership and shared goals with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) in a leadership role. The […]
Two appointed to Canadian Transportation Agency
OTTAWA, Ontario — J. Mark MacKeigan has been reappointed to the Canadian Transportation Agency, while Marisa Eva Victor has been newly appointed to the regulatory body, Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced. MacKeigan was reappointed for a four-year term, effective Nov. 28, 2023. He rejoined the agency in 2018 after having previously served as a member […]