April rail traffic remains below 2022 levels

Intermodal train passing brick passenger station

WASHINGTON — U.S. freight rail traffic in April was down 6% from the same month in 2022, a slight improvement over the previous month, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Traffic for the week ending April 29 was also down compared to a year earlier, showing a drop of 4.9% The figures […]

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CN: Operational improvements will enable significant volume growth

Train with red and black locomotives crosses cruved trestle

A westbound Canadian National train crosses the Thompson River on the CN main at Lytton, British Columbia, in May 2015. CN will continue to add capacity west of Edmonton, Alberta, to support traffic growth. Alex Mayes   CHICAGO — During an investor day presentation today, Canadian National touted its operational improvements over the past year […]

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California passes regulations calling for zero-emission locomotives

Freight train with yellow locomotives in mountains

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has passed regulations requiring dramatic measures to reduce diesel locomotive emissions within the state — including all new locomotives to offer zero-emission operation by 2035 — although the rail industry says the rules exceed the technology needed to meet them. In a move last week, the California Air Resources Board passed […]

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Norfolk Southern seeks regulatory approval for purchase of CNO&TP

Southern Railway history: Black locomotives pulling a freight train.

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern yesterday sought regulatory approval for its acquisition of the Cincinnati Southern Railway, the municipally owned railroad that forms the 338.2-mile Chattanooga-Cincinnati backbone of NS’s key corridor linking Chicago with Atlanta and the Southeast. NS asked the Surface Transportation Board to approve the $1.62 billion acquisition as a minor transaction. Norfolk Southern […]

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Metrolink board approves union agreement

Commuter train led by white locomotive with blue stripe on curve

LOS ANGELES — Metrolink’s board of directors last week approved a collective bargaining agreement with members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277. Union members had ratified the agreement earlier in April. The agreement covers the commuter rail operator’s rail traffic coordinators, rail traffic controllers, communications coordinators, and customer relations representatives. The 47 employees involved represent […]

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