US weekly rail traffic remains above 2024 levels

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic remained ahead of 2024 levels, albeit slightly, for the week ending July 26, 2025. Total rail traffic for the week was 524,279 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.1% over the same week a year ago. That included 231,029 carloads, up 0.9% compared to the corresponding week in 2024, and […]

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UP, NS plan to make formal merger filing by January 2026

Train crossing bridge over canal

WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern plan to file their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board on or before Jan, 29, 2026, according to a notice of intent filed with the Surface Transportation Board today (July 30, 2025). That notice of intent, also known as a prefiling notification, is required under the board’s […]

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CPKC sees profits and revenue jump on stronger volumes

Train with red, yellow, and black locomotives at grade crossing

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City profits and revenue grew in the second quarter as the railway carried more intermodal, grain, and coal shipments. CEO Keith Creel says the elephant in the room — the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger — does not change the growth opportunities his railway enjoys thanks to its unique […]

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Bill to support rail electrification reintroduced in Congress

Passenger train led by cab car passes stopped commuter train with locomotive in push mode.

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 […]

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Broken wheel led to CN grain train derailment: TSB

View of railcar wheelset with broken wheel on one side

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 […]

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Rail Passengers Association expresses concern over UP-NS merger plans

An Amtrak train and a Union Pacific train run parallel to one another

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 […]

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Two unions announce opposition to UP-NS merger (revised)

Freight train at diamond with bridges in background

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, […]

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