Weekly U.S. rail traffic remains down

Weekly table of U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus total intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — The U.S. rail traffic slump continued in the week ending March 25, with volume down 7.5% compared to the same week in 2022, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Total traffic was 469,958 carloads and intermodal units. That included 236,526 carloads, down 0.2% from the corresponding week a year ago, […]

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Del Mar Bluffs project receives state funding

Amtrak passenger train moves along tracks on coastal bluff in light fog.

DEL MAR, Calif. — The California Transportation Commission has awarded more than $37 million to the San Diego Association of Governments for its continuing project to stabilize the rail line along Del Mar Bluffs, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The next phase in the project, scheduled to begin in November, is expected to cost more […]

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Legislative compromise may save Cincinnati Southern sale

Map of rail line from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Chattanooga, Tenn.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city of Cincinnati’s plan to sell the Cincinnati Southern Railway to Norfolk Southern — which had been in jeopardy — has been revived by the state legislature. WXIX-TV reports that, after the state House and Senate passed versions of a transportation bill with conflicting language regarding the sale, a conference committee […]

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SMART union president to retire

Head shot of man in coat and tie

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joseph Sellers Jr. general president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, or SMART, will retire on May 31. Sellers announced his retirement in January, but the union publicized the news in a Tuesday press release. Sellers will be succeeded by current Assistant to the General President […]

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Judge rules BNSF oil trains violated tribal agreement

Unit oil train

ANACORTES, Wash. — BNSF Railway violated terms of an easement agreement with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community by running 100-car trains of crude oil across the Swinomish reservation in Anacortes for years, a federal judge ruled Monday. The Seattle Times reports that U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik said in a written order Monday that […]

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Canada’s Auditor General says VIA Rail, transportation agencies must do more to address barriers for those with disabilities

Mock-up of passenger car interior with wooden car seats

OTTAWA — A report from Canada’s auditor general says VIA Rail Canada and federal agencies have taken steps to address barriers by travelers with disabilities, but additional work will be required to achieve the government’s goal of barrier-free travel. “While we found progress in some areas, many barriers remained,” Auditor General Karen said in a […]

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Gulf & Atlantic buys three Midwestern short lines

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gulf & Atlantic Railways will acquire three railroads operating in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio — the Chesapeake & Indiana, Vermilion Valley and Camp Chase — from Midwest & Bluegrass rail, the company announced Monday. The railroads involved are: — The Chesapeake & Indiana (CKIN), a 28-mile line in northwest Indiana, with connections […]

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