NS, Commtrex partner to improve access to transload facilities

Norfolk Southern logo

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern and rail logistics information platform Commtrex are combining to improve customer access to transload facilities on the railroad’s network, the companies have announced. NS customers will be able to use the Commtrex database to find rail-served facilities by location, commodities handled, or other parameters. NS has 32 transload facilities in its […]

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Illinois state lawmaker files bill opposing CP-KCS merger

A Metra train approaches the Itasca station on the Milwaukee West line on March 16,2022. The commuter operator says Canadian Pacific traffic increases from the merger with KCS could increase its delays by 400%. (Trains: David Lassen)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation opposing the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, saying the merger’s projected traffic increases “presents far too many risks” to lineside communities. State Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) represents one of the eight communities in the Coalition to Stop CPKC. Those communities, along the Metra Milwaukee West route […]

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Norfolk Southern names Hudson vice president of transportation

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has promoted Floyd Hudson, general manager of the Southern Region, to vice president of transportation. “Floyd has been a leader in our work to implement Precision Scheduled Railroading and achieve continuous improvement in our operating ratio. He has played a central role in the flawless execution of our PSR-based TOP21 operating […]

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Union blames train crew shortage on cutbacks related to Precision Scheduled Railroading (updated)

Logo of SMART-TD union

WASHINGTON — Ongoing service problems related to crew shortages on the U.S. Class I railroads are entirely self-inflicted due to the implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading, the SMART Transportation Division labor union has told federal regulators. “The freight rail network is at a breaking point,” union President Jeremy Ferguson wrote in an April 1 letter […]

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Cargo thefts decline in 2021

Man in baseball cap carrying empty boxes

While thefts from Union Pacific intermodal trains in Los Angeles made national headlines early this year, overall cargo thefts last year decreased by 15% from 2020 levels, Insurance Journal reports, citing CargoNet’s annual Supply Chain Risk Trends report. The company, which provides cargo theft solutions, reported 1,285 cargo thefts in the United States and Canada, […]

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STB denies mediation request in Amtrak Gulf Coast case

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has turned down a request to order mediation in the Amtrak Gulf Coast case. CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority/Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks had requested mediation, which Amtrak had opposed. In the decision released today (Friday, April 1), the board says it “unfortunate” that […]

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CSX hires BP executive as new chief digital and technology officer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation has hired Steve Fortune, a longtime BP executive, to be its executive vice president and chief digital and technology officer. “We are pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Fortune and welcome him to CSX’s executive leadership team. CSX is focused on growing through innovation and being a leader in […]

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Service improvements are on the way, BNSF tells grain shippers

BNSF FreightCar America 5204 covered hopper.

WASHINGTON – BNSF Railway is taking several steps to improve its service to grain shippers, including boosting crew and locomotive availability, CEO Katie Farmer wrote in a letter to the National Grain and Feed Association this week. The trade group representing grain shippers complained to the Surface Transportation Board last week regarding deteriorating service from […]

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