AAR seeks FRA permission to scale back visual track inspections where automated systems are used to find defects

Boxcar equipped with scientific instruments for railroad track inspection.

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads has asked the Federal Railroad Administration to allow less frequent visual track inspections in territory where automated track inspection systems are used. “The primary benefit of using automated inspection technologies is earlier detection of track defects enabling railroads to switch from reactive to preventative maintenance practices. A strictly […]

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Amtrak on-time performance remains a struggle

Passenger train in late afternoon lighting

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s overall customer on-time performance improved in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the previous quarter, according to the latest report from the Federal Railroad Administration. But the 72% overall figure is down from 77% in the same quarter a year ago, and none of the company’s three business segments (long distance, […]

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Union Pacific to open new Kansas City intermodal ramp in July

Yellow locomotives lead container train in snowy landscape

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific announced yesterday that it plans to open its new Kansas City Intermodal Terminal in mid-July as the railroad looks to strengthen its position in the Kansas City market. UP would not disclose the terminal’s annual lift capacity, but said the facility, located in Armourdale Yard, will have twice as much […]

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U.S. weekly rail traffic remains above 2024 levels

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

WASHINGTON — Carload traffic provided most of the growth as U.S. weekly rail traffic remained above 2024 levels for the week ending May 17. Figures from the Association of American Railroads show traffic for the week totaled 490,775 carloads and intermodal units, a 3.4% increase over the same week a year ago. That figure included […]

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Baun joins Greenbrier, will become chief commercial officer

Head and torso photo of smiling man in suit

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. — Ted Baun has joined the North American commercial team of The Greenbrier Cos. as senior vice president, and will become chief commercial officer in January 2026, the railcar manufacturer and rail services provider has announced. Baun will succeed Tim Schitter, retiring at the end of this year, as chief commercial officer. […]

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MxV Rail ramps up its laboratory testing capabilities

PUEBLO, Colo. — MxV Rail is expanding its laboratory capabilities for rail component testing. The facility now has new machines and test capabilities available, with more laboratory test services rolling out soon, in order to promote safety advancements in the rail industry, MxV Rail said today. New capabilities include a bearing rig tester with a […]

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