An Iowa Northern intermodal train arrives in Manly, Iowa, on Monday for handoff to the Union Pacific, transporting agricultural products for export as part of a new service between Los Angeles and Iowa. Iowa Northern: Brad Sabin Iowa Northern has begun regular service for its new intermodal service — a partnership with Union Pacific, Denver-based […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
AAR CEO: ‘Day in and day out, railroads are working around the clock…’ NEWSWIRE
AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies recently published a new op-ed on Fox Business’ website praising railroads and their workers during this unprecedented coronavirus challenge. “Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the flow of groceries, pharmaceuticals and other essential goods is a stark reminder that transportation networks that bring those necessities to people are as vital as […]
AAR: US train traffic continues double-digit dive NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic this week for the week ending March 28, 2020, as well as volumes for March 2020. U.S. railroads originated 899,673 carloads in March 2020, down 6%, or 57,148 carloads, from March 2019. U.S. railroads also originated 935,380 containers and trailers in March 2020, […]
Details emerge on Washington state’s two-person crew law NEWSWIRE
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee has signed into law legislation mandating a minimum of two crew members on passenger and most freight trains operating in the state. The governor did veto a provision declaring the act effective immediately. “Given the complexity of this legislation, the Utilities and Transportation Commission [which has rail-safety oversight duties […]
Canada issues new rules on hazardous material trains, track safety
Canada’s Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, has announced new orders restricting speeds of trains transporting hazardous materials, and updating rules regarding track safety and inspections. The first of the three ministerial orders issued Friday replaces temporary rules issued on Feb. 6 in response to a Canadian Pacific derailment and fire [see “Canadian government orders speed […]
Bloomberg: Companies looking to tank cars for excess crude oil storage NEWSWIRE
Bloomberg is reporting that oil companies may be looking for tank cars to store an excess of crude oil in the U.S. Companies are running out of convenient places to store crude oil while prices hover just over $22 a barrel in national markets and domestic supplies remain high amid a demand slowdown during the coronavirus pandemic. […]
REMSA, executive recruiting firm offering webinar series starting April 15 NEWSWIRE
REMSA news release DALLAS — Through our joint effort — aimed at bringing benefit to those within the rail industry — The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association and Stahl Recruiting are partnering on a 2020 Webinar Series. As REMSA members account for several of Stahl Recruiting business partners, it made sense to collaborate. Join us on […]
US rail traffic plummets more than 11 percent for the last full week of March 2020; coal posts slight increase NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 28, 2020, as well as volumes for March 2020. U.S. railroads originated 899,673 carloads in March 2020, down 6%, or 57,148 carloads, from March 2019. U.S. railroads also originated 935,380 containers and trailers in […]
News Wire Digest Second Section for Saturday, March 28 NEWSWIRE
Some significant rail news for Saturday morning: — The $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by the House of Representatives and signed by President Trump on Friday includes expansion of railroad unemployment benefits, in addition to the previously reported financial aid for Amtrak and transit agencies [see “Trains News Wire Digest for Thursday, March 26”]. […]
CN moves to protect employees, cut costs and spending during pandemic downturn NEWSWIRE
A northbound Canadian National merchandise train overtakes a local near Byron, Wis., in July 2019. With carloads down 6% this year, CN has currently furloughed 7% of its workforce. TRAINS: David Lassen MONTREAL — Canadian National will cut costs as carload volume falls amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the railway expects bulk and domestic intermodal […]
News Wire Digest Second Section for Thursday, March 26 NEWSWIRE
More Thursday morning rail news: — The San Jose, Calif., area’s Valley Transportation Authority has suspended light rail service indefinitely after a VTA employee tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the East Bay Times reports. In a letter to employees posted by their union on its Facebook page, VTA general manager and CEO Nuria I. […]
Recession triggered by virus expected to take toll on rail traffic NEWSWIRE
A westbound Norfolk Southern intermodal train passes through Goshen, Ind., in March 2018. Norfolk Southern stock has dropped 45% since Feb. 19 as part of the general market selloff triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. TRAINS: David Lassen Railroads should brace for sharp traffic and revenue declines this year as the coronavirus pandemic plunges the global […]