Evacuation order lifted in East Palestine, Ohio

Workers and equipment around burned out tank cars

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — The evacuation order for those living within a mile of the site of last week’s Norfolk Southern derailment and fire has been lifted, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced this afternoon (Wednesday, Feb. 8). Residents within the evacuation zone will be offered air-quality checks of their homes, the Akron Beacon Journal reports, […]

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Ride the VIA Rail Canadian while you can: Analysis

The Canadian customs agent checks your passport and gives you a puzzled look when you explain that you just landed in Vancouver so that you can head to Toronto tomorrow. The poor young chap cannot wrap his head around the concept of taking VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian 2,800 miles simply for the fun of it. […]

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First lawsuit filed over Ohio derailment; evacuation continues

Black cloud of smoke above town

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — The first lawsuit has been filed in the wake of last week’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train and the subsequent fire and evacuation. WFMJ-TV reports residents and a business owner in the evacuation area have filed a class-action civil liability suit in U.S. District Court against Norfolk Southern, alleging negligence, […]

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CSX, two unions reach agreement providing for paid sick leave (updated)

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached agreement to provide four days of paid sick leave for members of two unions, the railroad has announced. The agreements, with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, cover approximately 5,000 workers — almost 4,000 […]

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Residents await word when they can return home after derailment

Aerial view of burning freight cars

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Residents evacuated after Friday’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train now await word when they might be allowed to return home, although Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine cautioned Monday that it would not be soon. Cleanup of the 50-car derailment involving toxic chemicals is expected to begin to move forward following Monday’s […]

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New larger, faster ferries boost CG Railway volume

Ship loaded with railcars at dock

CG Railway’s traffic grew 53% last year thanks to the increased capacity of its new rail ferries, the company said this week. The short line, a joint venture of Genesee & Wyoming and SEACOR Holdings, floats freight cars across the Gulf of Mexico. The route links the ports of Mobile, Ala., and Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz, […]

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Union Pacific named to Fortune’s most admired company list

Yellow locomotives leading train of double-stacked containers over bridge

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has been named to Fortune magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies for the 17th time in 21 years. UP is the highest-ranked railroad in the magazine’s Trucking, Transportation, and Logistics category. The annual list is compiled through a survey conducted by global consulting firm Korn Ferry. Executives, directors, […]

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California agency awards more than $2.5 billion for transit projects

Map of light rail project in LA's San Fernando Valley

SACRAMENTO — A $600 million award to L.A. Metro for its East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Corridor project heads the more than $2.5 billion in funding announced this week by the California State Transportation Agency for transit projects, most of them rail-related. The awards are to 16 projects, including funding announced earlier this […]

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