Weekly U.S. rail volume shows slight gain

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic showed a modest gain for the week ending Oct. 19, 2024. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, volume was 510,730 carloads and intermodal units, a 1.1% increase over the same week in 2023. That includes 223,278 carloads, down 4.6% from a year ago, and 287,452 containers […]

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New York MTA faces new budget shortfalls, state comptroller says

Electric multiple-unit commuter train passes through station

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which until recently said its budget was balanced through 2026, faces a budget shortfall of $211 million this year, the New York State Comptroller said in a report issued Wednesday. That would rise to $652 million by 2028, the report says, and there are variables that could make […]

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Crichlow appointed president of New York City Transit

Smiling man in suit

NEW YORK — Demetrius Crichlow, who has been serving as interim president of New York City Transit for the past four months, was appointed to the position on a permanent basis today (Wednesday, Oct. 23) by Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber. Crichlow becomes the 12th president of the MTA department overseeing New York’s subways, […]

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Stadler to build light rail trainsets for Salt Lake City

Side-view illustration of white light-rail vehicle with red and blue trim

SALT LAKE CITY — Stadler and the Utah Transit Authority have signed a contract calling for construction of up to 80 new light rail vehicles for UTA’s TRAX service in the Salt Lake City area. The contract signed today (Oct. 23, 2024) following approval by the UTA board of trustees includes an initial $129 million […]

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Mobile groundbreaking yields no news on start for Amtrak Gulf Coast service

Architectural drawings of train station platform

MOBILE, Ala. — Two ongoing questions about Amtrak’s Gulf Coast service — when it will begin and what the New Orleans-Mobile trains will be called — remained unanswered during a Tuesday, Oct. 22, groundbreaking ceremony for a station platform and layover track in Mobile. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose […]

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CSX announces tentative deals with two unions, ratification of agreement by yardmasters

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached new tentative five-year deals with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers. The railroad also announced ratification of an agreement with yardmasters represented by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD). “The new tentative agreements […]

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STB Passenger Rail Advisory Committee holds first meeting (updated)

Large group of people around conference table

WASHINGTON — Rail industry professionals from around the country assembled in the hearing room at Surface Transportation Board headquarters  last week for the first meeting of the STB’s Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. The initial session’s purpose: to get acquainted with each other, discuss goals, and meet the four STB members to whom they will report. […]

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Norfolk Southern, electrical workers announce tentative contract deal

Logo of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which includes lighting bolts held by a fist

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the railroad announced today (Tuesday, Oct. 22). The agreement, subject to ratification, means the railroad has tentative deals with approximately 67% of its union work force. “Norfolk Southern is committed to working with all of our labor unions […]

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Norfolk Southern continues gains on earnings, operating ratio

Train passing grain facility

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern delivered significant gains in earnings and operating ratio during 2024’s third quarter, with new CEO Mark George noting the railroad is “continuing to close the margin gap” with its peers. The railroad announced adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.1 billion on revenues of $3.05 billion, with an adjusted operating ratio of 63.4%. […]

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MBTA sets Red, Green line shutdowns in November

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will continue its effort to address maintenance needs on its rail transit system with a series of projects in November on the Red and Green lines, as well as on three commuter rail lines. Previously announced work on the Orange Line is already in progress and is scheduled […]

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Washout shuts down BNSF line in New Mexico

BNSF Railway logo

ROSWELL, N.M. — BNSF Railway’s Carlsbad Subdivision has been closed by a washout near Roswell that will keep the line closed for most of the week, the railroad has informed customers. An advisory on the railroad website says the washout was reported shortly after 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. After assessment by BNSF personnel, […]

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