AAR head sees ‘disconnect’ in potential rail regulations

Man with suit and red tie

LOMBARD, Ill. — Ian Jefferies, CEO of the Association of American Railroads, says he isn’t concerned by idea of a “dynamic” regulatory group at the U.S. Surface Transportation board. “The [STB] chairman, Marty Oberman, has made it clear that he has a new hearing room, and he wants to use it, and he likes open […]

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BNSF unions threaten strike over attendance policy (updated)

Logos for BLET, SMART-TD unions

CLEVELAND — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation union, who work for the BNSF Railway, initiated steps to go on strike following the railroad’s announcement of its so-called “Hi-Viz” attendance policy. Collectively, the unions represent more than […]

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BNSF and NS may seek trackage rights over KCS as part of CPKC merger

Train with two locomotives and hopper cars on track parallelling street

WASHINGTON – BNSF Railway and Norfolk Southern may both seek trackage rights over Kansas City Southern routes in order to preserve competition as part of the proposed Canadian Pacific-KCS merger. The railroads disclosed their intentions in regulatory filings posted today on the Surface Transportation Board website. The board’s deadline for such responsive applications is Feb. […]

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New NS president admits problems, promises solutions

Man speaking at conference

LOMBARD, Ill. — Alan Shaw introduced himself to the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers with a statement he clearly would have preferred to avoid. “We don’t have a good product right now,” Shaw said. “That’s unacceptable to me, that’s unacceptable for our employees, and it’s unacceptable to our customers,” continued the new president of Norfolk […]

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CP CEO makes case for intermodal service from Mexican port

Man speaking at podium

LOMBARD, Ill. — Mexico’s port of Lazaro Cardenas will become a significant option in addressing congestion at U.S. West Coast ports and a “necessary” addition to the intermodal supply chain under the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, CP CEO Keith Creel contends. Creel and KCS CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer, appearing jointly at the Midwest Association of […]

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Precision Terminal Logistics acquires firms in New Orleans, Savannah

Black and yellow logo of Precision Terminal Logistics

PITTSBURGH — Precision Terminal Logistics, a material-handling firm owned in part by Anacostia Rail Holdings, has acquired The Kearney Companies Inc. of New Orleans and Kearney Page Warehouse Services of Savannah, Ga., gaining rail-served warehouse and yard capacity. The transaction was effective Dec. 31, 2021. KPWS will be rebranded as The Kearney Companies-Savannah. David Kearney […]

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A collectible Lionel Milwaukee Road freight set

Collectible Lionel Milwaukee Road Freight set

Here’s the story behind this magnificent O gauge no. 810/2273W Lionel Milwaukee Road freight set. It was one of the finest outfits cataloged by the company for 1956. Click here for a history of the Milwaukee Road. The brand-new no. 2378P and 2378C F3 A-B locomotive combination headed the train. The powered A and unpowered […]

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Reading & Northern touts freight, excursion growth in 2021

Green and yellow locomotives on train of hopper cars

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern set records for freight revenue, freight traffic, and excursion passenger ridership in 2021, the railroad reported. Freight revenues increased by 10% over 2020 and pre-pandemic levels, boosted by increased traffic and a traffic mix with more higher-revenue moves. The company also saw significant revenue from its warehouse and […]

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Montana Rail Link to end operations, with BNSF taking over

A blue Montana Rail Link train works alongside a river with mountains in the background.

[<Trains.com members> WATCH: BIG SKIES & IRON RAILS VIDEOS] MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana Rail Link will end its long-term lease on BNSF Railway lines in its namesake state, Idaho, and Washington, with BNSF resuming operation of those routes, MRL President Derek Ollmann told employees in a memo today (Monday, Jan. 10). No timeline for the […]

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Transit agency to move ahead with Del Mar fence plans

Passenger train next to ocean

DEL MAR, Calif. — After lengthy negotiations failed to reach a resolution, the San Diego-area North County Transit District is preparing to move ahead with plans for safety fencing along its railroad right-of-way at the Del Mar Bluffs. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the district informed Del Mar officials the fencing would be on the […]

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