NTSB issues safety alerts on shoving moves, unsecured equipment

Rail workers riding on hopper car

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board issued a pair of rail safety alerts on Wednesday (Nov. 5, 2025), one addressing the risks of shoving moves during switching and the other on unexpected movements of unsecured equipment. The alerts stem from issues raised in several NTSB investigations. Each area of concern has resulted in deaths […]

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U.S. weekly rail traffic again below 2024 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic remained below 2024 levels for the week ending Nov. 1, 2025, the fourth straight week below previous-year figures. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 496,928 carloads and intermodal unites, down 3.9% from the corresponding week a year ago. That figure included 227,209 […]

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CPKC reaches 13 tentative agreements with unions in the U.S.

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City today said it has reached 13 new tentative collective agreements with unions in the United States representing carmen, hostlers, laborers, clerks, and maintenance workers, as well as mechanical and engineering supervisor employees. Six tentative five-year collective agreements have been reached with the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen representing employees […]

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BNSF requests new delay on Arizona logistics project

Plan for BNSF logistics center in Arizona

PHOENIX — BNSF Railway has again asked the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to delay consideration of its planned logistics development in Wittmann, Ariz., this time until Feb. 26, 2026. The board had been scheduled to consider the matter — which faces significant opposition from nearby communities — at a meeting today (Nov. 5, 2025). […]

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SEPTA faces new federal order on trolley safety

White trolley car going uphill on street

WASHINGTON — Adding to the ongoing issues of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the Federal Transit Administration has issued an emergency order requiring inspection of the catenary system of SEPTA’s 40-mile trolley network by this Friday, FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro said at a news conference today (Nov. 4, 2025). The press conference by Transportation Secretary […]

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NTSB releases preliminary report on SEPTA trolley incident

Image of interior of trolley car damaged when portions of pantograph penetrated roof.

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will look at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s catenary inspection and maintenance process as part of its ongoing investigation into a Sept. 25, 2025, incident in which a pantograph separated from a SEPTA trolley, injuring the operator and three passengers. The NTSB released its preliminary report into the […]

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BNSF adds two railroads to its Shortline Select program

Two green diesel locomotives with freight train

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has added two new railroads — Northern Lines Railway and Columbia Basin Railroad — to its Shortline Select program. Shortline Select is designed to improve interchanges and service while deepening the commercial ties between the Class I and its short line connections. Northern Lines Railway, owned by Anacostia Rail […]

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BLET reaches tentative national agreement with rail carriers group

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative five-year agreement with freight railroads represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee, the union has announced. The agreement will cover 11,000 BLET members at BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, and some smaller railroads. It follows the pattern agreed to by […]

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Former STB member Frank Mulvey dies at 81

Larger version of Frank Mulvey headshot for featured image position

BETHESDA, Md. — Frank Mulvey, who served on the Surface Transportation Board from 2004 to 2013, including time as acting chairman and vice chairman, has died at the age of 81. Mulvey died Oct. 18 at his home in Bethesda. Mulvey was nominated to the STB by President George W. Bush in November 2003 and […]

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Grupo Mexico’s quarterly profits rise on intermodal, auto, and ag growth

Freight train with orange and yellow locomotives passes through passenger station

MEXICO CITY — Grupo Mexico’s transportation division — which includes Ferromex, Ferrosur, Florida East Coast Railway, and Texas Pacifico — reported higher third-quarter operating income last week as revenue grew despite flat volume. The transportation division’s operating income grew 9%, to $235 million, as revenue increased 8.9%, to $871 million. The railroads’ combined operating ratio […]

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