PULLMAN, Ill. — The grand opening of the National Park Service’s Pullman National Monument and Pullman State Historic Site Factory Grounds is set for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-6. Free events will include tours, site visits, and historic tours at the community built for the Pullman Co’s factory and as a community for its workers, […]
Shipper coalition urges federal regulators to permit reciprocal switching
WASHINGTON – A coalition representing a broad range of rail shippers has asked the Surface Transportation Board to increase competition among railroads by finalizing rules that would permit reciprocal switching. “Given the dramatic concentration of market power in the railroad industry, rethinking policies designed for a different era is both timely and smart. Reciprocal switching […]
Arbitration decision will require unions to negotiate on train crew size
A federal arbitration decision has ruled that train crew size is subject to collective bargaining, a major win for railroads and loss for unions in the railroads’ effort to reduce crews to a single person. The National Railway Labor Conference — representing Class I railroads — had sought to include crew size in its current […]
Cumbres & Toltec restores full-route train ride option as of July 31
CHAMA, N.M. — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will resume full-length train rides on its 64-mile route between Chama and Antonito, Colo., as of Saturday, July 31, for the final portion of the 2021 season. For most of the season, COVID-19 restrictions have prevented the railroad from offering trips in which passengers ride the […]
Former LIRR conductor pleads guilty, pays fine for ticket scheme
NEW YORK — A former Long Island Rail Road conductor arrested earlier this year in which he allegedly pocketed tickets without punching them, then gave them to friends who used them for rides or cashed them for refunds, has pleaded guilty and paid a $1,000 fine. The New York Post reports Robert Anderson, 61, pleaded […]
Weekly traffic stats remain ahead of 2020 figures, fall slightly from previous week
WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic remains ahead of 2020 figures, although week-to-week numbers showed a slight decline, perhaps reflecting traffic disruptions by fires on the West Coast. For the week ending July 28, U.S. railroads moved 230,095 carloads (up 7.1% from the same week a year earlier), and 273,124 intermodal units (up 2.6%) for […]
Canadian Pacific reports record financial and safety results
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific set quarterly records for revenue, earnings, and adjusted operating ratio as second quarter volume bounced back from last year’s pandemic lows. “Behind those numbers obviously is a very impressive operating performance,” CEO Keith Creel says, rattling off a list of key metrics that improved, including train length and weight and […]
Norfolk Southern outlook brightens after record second quarter
NORFOLK, Va. — Buoyed by strong volume and revenue growth, Norfolk Southern lifted its outlook for the year as it reported record second-quarter financial results on Wednesday. “We are even more confident about growth for the balance of this year,” CEO Jim Squires told investors and analysts on the railroad’s earnings call. The railroad now […]
Seven passenger groups form coalition to push for Chicago-New York rail improvements
ERIE, Pa. — Seven passenger rail advocacy groups have formed a coalition to push for improved rail service between Chicago and New York City. The Erie Times-News reports the Lakeshore Rail Alliance will combine All Aboard Erie, All Aboard Ohio, the Empire State Passenger Association, the Chicago-based High-Speed Rail Alliance, the Indiana Passenger Rail Association, […]
Wildfire disruptions continue in West; Union Pacific sees earlier reopening for I-5 corridor
Union Pacific’s Feather River Canyon route in Northern California has been shut down by wildfires, but the railroad says its main north-south route on the West Coast, the I-5 corridor, could reopen sooner than original estimates. Meanwhile, BNSF’s Inside Gateway route, which makes use of use of part of the UP Feather River route, also […]
GO Transit to expand service Aug. 7
TORONTO, Ontario — GO Transit will increase service on a number of routes as of Aug. 7, restoring trains suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as offering new services. The Lakeshore East and West lines, Kitchener Line, Barrie Line, and Stouffville Line will all see additional service, and some current bus service will […]
Board approves material purchases, hoping to lower cost of South Shore Double Track project
CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has approved purchase of materials for its planned South Shore Double Track project between Gary and Michigan City, Ind., as part of its effort to lower the cost of building the commuter railroad’s second main line. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports the board on Monday […]