AAR: Overall carloads are down for April NEWSWIRE

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Association of American Railoads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 27, as well as volumes for April 2019. U.S. railroads originated 1,041,544 carloads in April 2019, down 0.9 percent, or 9,130 carloads, from April 2018. U.S. railroads also originated 1,056,146 containers and trailers in […]

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Pigs over Cuesta

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A Southern Pacific piggyback train of modified conventional flatcars with company trailers negotiates Cuesta Grade above San Luis Obispo, Calif., in June 1957. Robert Hale photo […]

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Canadian development company renews push for rail line linking Alaska to the lower 48 states

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SEATTLE — Linking Alaska to the 48 contiguous U.S. is an idea that is resurfacing again with heavier Canadian support. Canadian businessman Sean McCoshen told a recent meeting of the Alaska State Senate Transportation Committee that the company he co-founded and runs, Alberta-Alaska Railway Development Corp., has been working with consultants, the Alaska Railroad, Canadian […]

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Wal-Mart, like Amazon, tests direct intermodal relationship with railroads; introduces purpose-built containers NEWSWIRE

Wal-Mart purpose-built 53-foot containers for rail intermodal service.

Wal-Mart is testing a direct intermodal relationship with U.S. railroads and now rosters a fleet of purpose-built 53-foot containers. Wal-Mart BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is expanding its use of rail intermodal and doing it with new custom containers. Walmart launched a new rail strategy in 2018 when, with its own specially-designed containers, the big retailer […]

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Closure of US-Mexico border would hurt rail traffic NEWSWIRE

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President Donald Trump The White House WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s threat to close the border with Mexico this week would quickly have an impact on railroads and wreak economic havoc on both sides of the Rio Grande. Cross-border traffic represents about 11 percent of Union Pacific’s total volume and nearly 30 percent of volume […]

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