Intermodal strength keeps U.S. rail volume ahead of 2024 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — Carload traffic was down considerably but intermodal volume remained strong in the latest report on U.S. weekly rail traffic. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week ending Jan. 11, 2025, included 465,390 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8% from the same week in 2024. That included 199,511 […]

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Unifor members authorize strike against CPKC

Logo of Canadian union Unifor

CALGARY — Members of Canadian union Unifor have voted to authorize a strike against Canadian Pacific Kansas City if the railroad and union do not reach a new deal by Jan. 29, 2025. The union said the vote was 99% in favor of authorization by members of Local 101R, which represents more than 1,200 CPKC […]

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January 2025

The January 2025 cover of Trains magazine, which features a black and orange locomotive moving towards the photographer

In every issue News, p. 6 CSX and Norfolk Southern hit hard by Hurricane Helene Bill Stephens, p. 10  Railroads should use steam to polish their images John Hankey, p. 12  The enduring connection between Christmas and trains Great Railfan Roads, p. 44 Rail action on both banks of the upper Mississippi River Brian Solomon, […]

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Tariff uncertainty front and center at MARS conference

Two men on stage next to large "MARS" sign

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The question of the day, on the first day of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Winter Meeting, is probably one being asked in one form or another at every business in the United States — or that does business with the U.S. What about tariffs? The consensus during today’s first day […]

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STB issues decision on tank car complaint filed in 2015

Glint shot of tank cars

WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision partially granting complaints filed by the North America Freight Car Association and several other associations and individual shippers regarding Union Pacific’s charges for the movement of empty, privately owned tank cars to repair facilities. The decision clarifies UP’s obligations regarding charges moving forward and directs […]

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BNSF CEO’s talk illustrates value of data in improving service

Woman on podium

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The power of data, or more accurately, of well-used data, may not have explicitly been the topic of BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer’s presentation at the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers’ Winter Meeting. But it was a recurring theme with several subjects she touched on as part of her morning keynote address […]

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SMART-MD becomes fifth union to ratify new national contract

Commuter train at station

Members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD) have voted to ratify a new contract agreement, the National Carriers Conference Committee announced yesterday. SMART-MD is the fifth national agreement ratified, following agreements reached by the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers, Transportation Communications International Union, […]

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California gives up on zero-emissions locomotive regulation

Green and white locomotive with black stripes on nose

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board has scrapped its controversial rule that would have required the use of zero-emissions locomotives in the state beginning in 2030. The board, or CARB as it’s known, informed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week that it was withdrawing its requests to enforce zero-emissions rules covering trucks and […]

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