Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 8. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 513,099 carloads and intermodal units, down 8.5% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending June 8 were 246,758 […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Dolton interlocking to benefit from $19 million CREATE grant NEWSWIRE
This 2017 view looking south at Dolton shows a northbound Hoosier State passenger train, then operated by Iowa Pacific, on the Union Pacific line. The lead locomotive is on the CSX Transportation line while the second locomotive is on the Indiana Harbor Belt line. Marshall W. Beecher CHICAGO – More than $19 million in federal […]
Squires: Three things have to happen before one-person crews NEWSWIRE
NORFOLK, Va. – While presenting to shortline and regional railroad executives at the Norfolk Southern short line marketing meeting in Norfolk on Tuesday, CEO James A. Squires says there are three things that have to happen before the rail industry can expect one-person crews. “First, the technology. The technology’s got to be there.” With positive […]
Union Pacific expands intermodal service between Denver, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles NEWSWIRE
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific, which has been pruning intermodal lanes as it shifts to a Precision Scheduled Railroading operating model, has launched more frequent intermodal service between Denver, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles. “Union Pacific is expanding the frequency of service in the Denver/Salt Lake City to Los Angeles corridor in order to […]
Class Is say a number of notes are behind the rail traffic blues NEWSWIRE
A number of factors are behind the broad decline in North American rail traffic this year, Class I railroad executives say. But they expect traffic to rebound in the second half of the year, the executives told investor conferences this week even as two railroads lowered their volume outlooks for the year. Among the factors […]
Canadian National keen on adopting new automated technology NEWSWIRE
A Canadian National inspection portal. Canadian National TORONTO — Canadian National is moving from proof-of-concept to full-scale deployment of several technology projects that aim to make the railway more reliable, safe, and efficient. “We’re done with the trying. We’re now deploying,” CEO J.J. Ruest told shareholders and analysts at the railroad’s investor day on Tuesday. […]
US rail traffic down again the week of June 1; AAR says floods and tariffs are taking a toll NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 1, as well as volumes for May 2019. U.S. railroads originated 1,291,671 carloads in May 2019, down 2.1%, or 28,065 carloads, from May 2018. U.S. railroads also originated 1,315,684 containers and trailers in May […]
Canadian National outlines plans to remain industry’s growth leader NEWSWIRE
TORONTO — Canadian National outlined its plans to remain the railroad industry’s growth leader during an investor conference today. CN pioneered scheduled railroading 15 years ago, CEO J.J. Ruest noted, and has led the big systems in growth for more than a decade. “How do we evolve the model that we have that’s produced such […]
Union Pacific modifies some charges in response to shipper complaints NEWSWIRE
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is relaxing some of its demurrage and accessorial charges in the wake of shipper complaints and scrutiny from federal regulators. UP announced in November that it would charge customers $10,000 if they cancelled a unit train less than 48 hours prior to its original release date. Effective immediately, UP has […]
North Dakota to continue state rail inspection program NEWSWIRE
BISMARCK, N.D. — The State of North Dakota will continue its 4-year-old rail safety inspection program for at least two more years, the Associated Press reports. The program was set to expire in July, but Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill extending the program through 2021, and state Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner said he […]
CSX CEO Foote expects industry to move slowly toward autonomous operations NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — Railroads need to take advantage of their investments in positive train control, but the industry likely will move slowly toward one-person crews and autonomous operations, CSX Transportation CEO Jim Foote says. Foote likens PTC to the advent of wayside detectors and end-of-train devices that allowed railroads operate more safely, while eliminating cabooses. […]
Service improvements produce merchandise volume gains at CSX, CEO Foote says NEWSWIRE
James “Jim” Foote, CSX Transportation CEO CSX Transportation NEW YORK — CSX Transportation is leading the industry in merchandise traffic growth this year due to its faster and more reliable service, CEO Jim Foote says. “We are the leader in growing that business at about 2.5% so far this year,” Foote told an investor conference […]