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In general terms, America is not a country with great affinity for nationalization. The machinations of the American economy are diametrically opposed to the principles of nationalization. However, that doesn’t mean that the U.S. has never dabbled in the practice. The United States Railroad Administration (USRA) is an example. In the interest of clarity, I’ll […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has confirmed four nominees for the Amtrak board of directors, the first time the legislative body has confirmed a majority of the 10-member board in almost a decade. Senate records indicate David Capozzi, Elaine Clegg, Ronald Batory, and Lanhee Chen were confirmed by voice vote during a Friday session that […]
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said he has selected David Fink to become administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. In a post today (Saturday, Dec. 21) on Truth Social, Trump said Fink is a “fifth-generation railroader” who “will bring his 45+ years of transportation leadership and success, which will deliver the FRA into a new […]
Several freight rail business developments did not rank among our Top 10 stories of the year — but were still important in the grand scheme of things. They include: New Southeast-Mexico corridor CSX and Canadian Pacific Kansas City on Dec. 1 began service over the former Meridian & Bigbee short line that serves as a […]
PECOS, Texas — The Union Pacific train involved in Wednesday’s fatal derailment was going about 68 mph before beginning an emergency brake application, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement today (Friday, Dec. 20). Maximum speed on most of UP’s Toyah Subdivision, including in Pecos, is 70 mph. Two Union Pacific crew members […]
MOLINE, Ill. — An exceptionally long-running effort to launch Amtrak service to the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa may be extended even longer, if some federal lawmakers have their way. Three members of Illinois’ congressional delegation — U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen — have written Transportation Secretary […]
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a new final rule on freight car safety standards including limitations on cars or parts from China or another “country of concern.” The rule, released Thursday, Dec. 19 and effective Jan. 21, 2025, fulfils a requirement of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The rule requires railcars […]
KEARNY, N.J. — Amtrak has awarded contracts for another major Northeast Corridor project, the Sawtooth Bridge replacement, the company announced Thursday, Dec. 19. A Skansa, Walsh & Herzog joint venture received the contract for pre-construction activities, with future contract opportunities for the project’s full construction. A joint venture of AECOM and STV also received a […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has named Michael Barr as vice president investor relations and treasurer, the company announced Thursday, Dec. 19. Barr comes to NS after serving as managing director at Neuberger Berman, a $500 billion asset management firm. He has also held management roles at Shockoe Capital and Prudential Equity Group, and has worked […]
HARRIMAN, Wyo. — Union Pacific has demolished an at least 70-year-old water tower on its Harriman Cutoff line over Sherman Hill, the news site Cowboy State Daily reports, to the dismay of locals who say they would have mounted a preservation effort if given the opportunity. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, UP spokesman Mike Jaixen told […]
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and steelmaker Commercial Metals Co. have asked federal regulators to continue their review of a proposed 6-mile branch in the Phoenix area. The Surface Transportation Board halted the environmental review process for the Pecos Industrial Rail Access Train Extension, or PIRATE, on Aug. 31 after the discovery of what it said […]
BOSTON — Keolis Commuter Services, the operator of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail trains, has reached amended labor agreements with an additional nine of the company’s 14 unions. The agreements, which still need to be ratified by members of each union, will be retroactive to July 1, 2023, when the contracts became amendable, Keolis […]
