Digest: Safety Commission says evidence of DC Metro train separation was tampered with

WMATA/DC Metro logo in black and white.

Wednesday morning rail news: DC Metro tampered with evidence of train separation, safety commission says Evidence relating to the separation of a moving DC Metro train earlier this month was tampered with during the investigation, according to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. The Washington Post reports that between the initial investigation incident on Oct. 9 and the […]

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Digest: NJ Transit to alter plans for power plant

njtransitlogo

Wednesday midday rail news: NJ Transit to change plans for rail power plant Bowing to a series of protests from environmental groups and neighboring communities, NJ Transit will change its plans for a power plant to provide backup power to its rail system. NJ.com reports the Transitgrid project, which was to be a natural gas plant, will […]

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CSX earnings fall, but executives praise railroad’s handling of historic swings in volume

Train crossing bridge

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation’s third-quarter earnings sagged under the weight of pandemic-related traffic and revenue declines. The railroad’s operating income fell 11%, to $1.1 billion, as revenue declined 11%, to $2.6 billion. Earnings per share slumped 11%, to 96 cents. The railroad’s operating ratio was 56.9%, a 0.1-point increase compared to the quarterly record […]

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Amtrak CEO tells hearing company projects 72% decline in ridership

WASHINGTON — Amtrak is projecting fiscal 2021 ridership of just 9 million, a 72% decline from 2019’s record 32.5 million passengers, CEO William Flynn told members of the Senate Commerce Committee, who expressed skepticism and concern over the move to three-day-a-week service for most long-distance trains. In testimony submitted Wednesday morning, Flynn qualifies his estimate […]

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Digest: FreightCar America to shift all production to Mexico

Tuesday morning rail news: FreightCar America to move production to new factory in Mexico, secures $40 million loan Rail equipment manufacturer FreightCar America will shift all manufacturing to Mexico as part of moves announced Monday. The company has completed purchase of its partner’s 50% interest and now is sole owner of its new Castanos, Mexico, […]

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Canadian Pacific executives upbeat despite down quarter

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific’s earnings slumped in the third quarter due to pandemic-related volume declines, but the railway boosted its outlook for the year and expects to set a fourth-quarter operating ratio record as traffic growth accelerates. CP on Tuesday morning reported its operating income decreased 10%, to $779 million, as revenue fell 6%, to […]

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Dead line

Various BNSF Railway yard switchers sit in storage at Galesburg, Ill., in October 2010, waiting for their next assignment. Photo by William B. Cecil […]

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Original heritage

Norfolk Southern GP59 No. 4610, the railroad’s original heritage unit, sits at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga for Railfest 2011 on Sept. 3. The locomotive has since been repainted. Photo by Bradley Bates […]

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Erie revival

Norfolk Southern SD70ACe No. 1068, the Erie-painted heritage unit, leads train No. 301 from Decatur, Ill., to St. Louis, Mo. on Feb. 12, 2014. The train is seen at Stonington, Ill., on the former Wabash main line. Photo by Bruce Bird […]

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