LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska legislation that would require two-person train crews advanced in the state’s legislature on Wednesday, with an amended version passing in the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee by a 35-8 vote. LB 31 was introduced last year by state Sen. Mike Jacobson (R-North Platte, Neb.) and establishes penalties of up to $10,000 for […]
Section: News Wire
U.S. weekly rail traffic tops 2023 level, barely
WASHINGTON — After two weeks in negative territory, U.S. weekly rail traffic barely edged into positive ground for the week ending Jan. 27, 2024. Figures from the Association of American Railroads show overall traffic of 467,222 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.7% compared with the same week a year ago. That included 208,131 carloads, down […]
Report: Activist investor group aims to oust Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw
An activist investor group has taken a $1 billion stake in Norfolk Southern and aims to wrest control of the company’s board and oust CEO Alan Shaw, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal this evening. The investor group, led by Cleveland-based Ancora Holdings, has nominated a slate of directors that includes former […]
Merger application details CN’s plans for Iowa Northern Railway
WASHINGTON — Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of the 218-mile Iowa Northern Railway will boost rail competition, divert freight off the highway, and give Iowa shippers broader access to single-line service, CN says in a merger application filed this week with the Surface Transportation Board. CN spent $230 million to acquire the Class III railroad from […]
STB extends reporting of railroad employment data for BNSF, CSX, NS, and UP
WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision that extends the temporary reporting of employment data through the end of the year and that requires certain updated information from BNSF Railway, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific. The board originally required the big four U.S. Class I railroads to submit employment information beginning […]
CPKC announces schedule for 2816’s ‘Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour’
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City will launch the “Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour,” featuring 4-6-4 No. 2816 on a Canada-to-Mexico trip to celebrate last year’s Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, on April 24 at its headquarters in Calgary. A total of 11 stops are planned for the tour, concluding June 4 in Mexico […]
Freight traffic resumes through San Clemente; passenger moves still halted
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — BNSF Railway has resumed freight operations through the location of the latest landslide on Southern California’s Surf Line, which remains closed to passenger traffic following a Jan. 24 incident near the San Clemente Pier. The Orange County Register reports BNSF began freight movements with a 10-mph speed restriction between 9 p.m. […]
Minnesota museum announces steam-up dates for 2-8-0
DULUTH, Minn. — Following successful test runs and a single excursion in autumn 2023, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-0 No. 332 will be pulling a number of trips in 2024. The museum announced the 2-8-0 will be under steam on four weekends during the upcoming season on the museum’s North […]
Ford seeks to add hotel to Michigan Central project
DETROIT — The landmark Michigan Central Station, undergoing revival by the Ford Motor Co. as a technology hub, could also become the home of a hotel, the Detroit Free Press reports. A spokesman for the Ford subsidiary overseeing the station’s redevelopment said Monday that the company is seeking a zoning change from the current heavy […]
CPKC reports higher volume, revenue, and profits for fourth quarter
CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific Kansas City bucked the industry trend by posting fourth-quarter gains in volume, operating income, and revenue. “I am proud of how our team of incredible railroaders finished this transformational year with a strong fourth quarter, allowing CPKC to deliver volume growth and best-in-class earnings growth in 2023,” CEO Keith Creel […]
Canal disruptions could help railroads gain international intermodal traffic
Will the persistent low water levels in the Panama Canal and ongoing attacks on ships bound to and from the Suez Canal wind up diverting international container traffic to West Coast ports? Railroad executives think so, although most say a shift in international intermodal volume has yet to materialize. The drought in Panama has prompted […]
STB rules against CN in Chicago interchange dispute with CP
WASHINGTON — In the latest twist in a long-running Chicago interchange dispute, federal regulators yesterday ruled that it’s unreasonable for Canadian National to unilaterally designate the Belt Railway of Chicago’s Clearing Yard as the location where it will exchange traffic with rival Canadian Pacific Kansas City. It’s the second time that the Surface Transportation Board […]
