The $85 billion Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger agreement includes a $2.5 billion breakup fee that anticipates potential twists and turns that could play out over the next two years. The agreement has an expiration date of Jan. 28, 2028, but will be extended automatically if the Surface Transportation Board merger review process takes […]
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has reluctantly approved a 10% fare increase for Metro-North Railroad trips beginning or ending in Connecticut — an increase requested by that state’s Department of Transportation to address an $11 million shortfall in the budget passed in June. The same increase — 5% effective Sept. 1, 2025, […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) are urging the Surface Transportation Board to “keep the best interests of rail shippers and consumers in mind” during the board’s upcoming review of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, expressing concerns about the merger’s impact in a letter to board members. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s two […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass) and Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) have reintroduced a bill that would devote $200 billion over a five-year period for rail projects including high speed rail and electrification of some lines. The All Aboard Act, announced by Markey on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) revives legislation introduced late in 2024 […]
STRASBURG, Pa. — The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has held the groundbreaking for a new roundhouse meant to provide protection for a half-dozen locomotives, most of which are currently displayed outdoors. The ceremony held Tuesday (July 29, 2025) marked the start of work on a 16,000-square-foot structure projected for completion in late 2026 or early […]
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A broken wheel, which fractured after sustaining a dent to the back of the wheel plate, led to the derailment of a Canadian National Railway unit grain train in Manitoba in March 2024, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in an investigation report released Tuesday (July 29, 2025). The derailment occurred […]
WASHINGTON — The Rail Passengers Association said today it will be “actively involved in protecting the rights of passengers” as the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is considered by the Surface Transportation Board. Amtrak had no comment on the merger announcement. Neither did commuter rail operator Metra, which has been involved in a lengthy legal and […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern executives touted their proposed merger as a way to return to volume growth after losing market share to the highway since rail traffic peaked in 2006. “We can only go so far independently. And let’s face it, this industry has faced contraction over the last couple decades […]
LAKEVIEW, Ore. — Eco Material Technologies, producer of green cement products and supplementary cementitious materials, opened a new plant in southern Oregon today (July 29, 2025). It is the companyy’s first facility in the Pacific Northwest. The Lakeview Plant is located on the Goose Lake Railway, operator of the county-owned former Southern Pacific line connecting […]
Two unions — the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, and the Transport Workers Union of America — have announced their opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger proposed today by the two railroads. SMART said it will oppose the merger when it goes to the Surface Transportation Board for approval, […]
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with Union Pacific, the union announced today (July 29, 2025). IAM’s District 19 represents approximately 1,300 UP workers. Details of the agreement were not announced; union members will receive more information soon and are […]
CHICAGO — Anacostia Rail Holdings has named Todd Nuelle as its new chief commercial officer, the company announced today. Nuelle — who joins Anacostia from Canadian National — will succeed Eric Jakubowski, who is retiring. Jakubowski joined Anacostia in 2012 and is credited by the company with playing a key role in strengthening its commercial […]
