Norfolk Southern sees earnings, volume increases in first quarter

Norfolk Southern logo

NORFOLK, Va. — Reflecting continued intermodal strength — as well cost savings resulting from the continued implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading principles — Norfolk Southern showed increases in both volume and earnings during 2021’s first quarter, as well as a new record operating-ratio figure. Quarterly revenue of $2.6 billion represented a 1% increase over the […]

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Railroads take steps to ease intermodal congestion

Two container ships at port

Pockets of congestion and overall high volumes are slowing most railroads’ intermodal networks, prompting BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern to take steps to manage capacity. BNSF, the largest intermodal carrier, announced several changes designed to ease congestion at key terminals beginning next week. BNSF will implement day-of-week in-gate windows at its Hobart terminal […]

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NS Trash Train consigned to the dumpster of history

Black locomotive pulling cars of trash through fall colors

ROANOKE, Va. — For more than a quarter century, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a Norfolk Southern crew would report in Roanoke and start train V60, commonly known as the “Star City Stinker” or “Trash Train.” No more. The Monday-through-Friday operation would start just east of Roanoke’s famed East End Shops and travel 30 miles west […]

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Digest: Federal legislators reintroduce bill supporting fare-free public transit

Train operating in the median of Interstate 90

Massachusetts legislators introduce bill to provide $5 billion annually for fare-free transit U.S. Sen Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass) have reintroduced legislation supporting state and local efforts to create fare-free public transportation. The Freedom to Move Act, originally introduced in 2020, would award $5 billion annually for a five-year period for competitive […]

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Landmark former PRR tower facing demolition

Train passing brick tower in snow

MG Tower, a landmark on the former Pennsylvania Railroad Pittsburgh Line through the Allegheny Mountains, is reportedly facing demolition by current owner Norfolk Southern 27 years after its closure. The tower was built to help the Pennsylvania deal with the increased demand to transport war materials, troops, civilian passenger trains, and regular freight shipments.  In […]

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Analysis: Amtrak’s Gulf Coast STB filing to test right of access

People boarding train

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s 826-page petition to the Surface Transportation Board, filed last week, is the latest salvo in efforts to establish passenger trains on routes of railroads not currently hosting service. The STB’s eventual decision could have a significant impact on what investment is required for service expansion. The filing argues Amtrak has made good […]

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Digest: Savannah port sees first traffic at new container terminal

Logo of Georgia Ports Authority

Savannah port sees first traffic at new container terminal; rail capacity project advances The Port of Savannah, Ga., has welcomed the first container ship to call on its Ocean Terminal, partially converted from roll-on/roll-off cargo to handle container traffic. The Savannah Morning News reports the conversion adds 210,000 twenty-foot-equaivalent units, or TEUs — the standard […]

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Digest: Delays add $300 million to cost of Gateway project

Amtrak train coming out of tunnel

Delays in start of Gateway project push cost to $11.6 billion Ongoing delays in beginning the Gateway tunnel project on the Northeast Corridor have pushed the estimated cost of tunnels under the Hudson river to $11.6 billion, a $300 million increase over the previous estimate. NJ.com reports Frank Sacr, interim executive director of the Gateway […]

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