Worker warning system at fault in fatal SEPTA accident, NTSB says

Schematic diagram of site of railroad accident

WASHINGTON — The use of the Train Approach Warning method to warn track workers of approaching traffic — in a multiple-track location where trains could approach at full speed in either direction — led to a fatal 2019 accident involving Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority workers, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report issued […]

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New cybersecurity rules coming for railroads

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WASHINGTON — New rules from the Transportation Security Administration requiring railroads to report cybersecurity breaches and review their vulnerability to online attacks will take effect on Dec. 31. Bloomberg reports the rules will require companies to report hacking incidents within 24 hours, conduct a vulnerability assessment, develop a plan to respond to hacking, and designate […]

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Clearing Yard in Chicago as of 2016

View of large classification yard with train pushing cars upgrade in foreground.

Introduction to Clearing Yard in Chicago Clearing Yard in Chicago often operates at 1.8 mph, slower than the speed at which an average adult walks. Compound that brutally slow pace with the idea that this same portion of railroad connects six of the seven Class I carriers, and you soon get the feeling somebody has […]

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Norfolk Southern’s Shaw to succeed Squires as CEO (updated)

Two men with city in background

ATLANTA – Norfolk Southern today named Alan Shaw as its chief executive officer, effective May 1, when current CEO Jim Squires will retire. Shaw, the railroad’s chief marketing officer, was promoted to president effective today. The NS management team now reports to Shaw, who has been with the railroad for 27 years and has served […]

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Hudson Tunnel project gets federal permit

Amtrak train coming out of tunnel

The much-discussed project to build new Northeast Corridor tunnels between New York and New Jersey has received the permit allowing construction to begin once funding is secured. NJ.com reports the permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would allow construction of the Hudson River Tunnel to begin in summer 2023. Once the two new […]

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U.S. rail traffic slump continues in November

Association of American Railroads logo

WASHINGTON — A slump in rail traffic continued in November, with lagging intermodal traffic leading to a 4.5% drop in overall volume, compared to the same month in 2020. The latest statistics from the Association of American railroads show that U.S. railroads originated 1,028,039 containers and trailers in November, a 9.6% decrease from November 2020. […]

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RSI Logistics, R.J. Corman announce transload partnership

R.J. Corman Railroad Co. logo

OKEMOS, Mich. — RSI Logistics Inc. and R.J. Corman Railroad Co. have announced a partnership involving marketing and operation of R.J. Corman Transload Connect sites. RSI Logistics will promote the Transload Connect facilities as part of a marketing alliance, and will be the third-party operator at several locations in the eastern and midwestern U.S. The […]

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DeFazio, influential legislator on transportation issues, to retire

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WASHINGTON — Peter DeFazio, the Oregon Democrat who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has announced he will retire after serving 18 terms in Congress. Oregon Public Radio notes the 74-year-old DeFazio’s committee chairmanship allowed him to play a major role in shaping the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed last month. DeFazio’s announcement […]

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